Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-23
ART NEWS AND NOTES.


Mrs. RAPPHo MEYERS exhibits large
flower study at Young's this week. The work
is in OIL and it goes far toward proving that the
lady has considerable talent for this class of
work, in spite of an evident tendency to mud
diness Of coloring, noticeable in the shadows.
Mr.. HENRY B. PETTEs, of Paris, will open
large collection Of water-eolOr paintings at the
Gillespie gallery tomorrow morning. As this
is by no means Mr.. Pettes' first visit to this
city, many persons are already familiar with
the class of works which he brings with him,
while others will be sure to find visit to the
gallery extremely profitable.
Mr.. A s. WALL still retains some Of his old
time love for the palette and brush, and when
occasion offers he is wont to exercise his fancy
in the production of effective little landscapes
that are notable for the strength and richness
of their coloring. Such a one may be seen at
present in the Gillespie gallery. Mr.. Wall has
developed striking individuality In his style
Of handling and gives evidence of a knowledge
of the principles of coloring that can only come
with long experience.
THE sale of paintings from the Bleiman col
lection during the past two weeks is reported to
have numbered as many as thirty, and to have
included some notable pictures. There Is little
doubt that the loan exhibition at the Carnegie
Library has created a desire to possess t1ne pic
lures on the part OF many persons who had
never previously given the matter any serious
thought. Every exhibition of art works creates
picture prepares the way for many others.
Mr.. ]. A. SAINT has another of his quaint
conceits embodied in oil, paint and canvas on
view at Gillespie's. This time 1t is youth or
tender years who has become possessed of the
ambition to cultivate mustache, or perhaps a
beard. At all events he has secured razor and
other accessories to the art Of shaving. and has
gone to work. atahe imminent risk of a scarf
fed countenance, to remove an imaginary
growth from cheek entirely guiltless of any
thing in the nature Of hirsute appendage.
A PICTURE las been on exhibition at Boyd's
for the past few days that viVidly recalls the
exciting scenes which occurred during the
great railroad riots of 1877. The painting,
which is in oil, 10 the work of formerly we'll
known Pittsburg artist. Mr.John Donaghy, and
was executed shortly after the occurrence 1t
depicts the burning Of the grain elevator. which
stood on what was at that time the
corner of Liberty avenue and Wash
fare was closed at that point and the
present foot bridge erected. The picture very
truthfully represented the scenes which took
place about the burning building, the crowds
of excited people, the half Indifferent on
lockers and the more completely interested
individuals who appeared bent on prohung
by the destruction going on around them, by
appropriatng tOthemselves all such articles of
merchandise as might easily be transported,
particularly goods packed in barrels, as these
could readily be rolled away The artist has
depicted the scene just as the first few streaks
of flames burst through the dense volumes of
smoke that rolled from the top of the huge
frame structure. The building was covered,
both walls and roof, with slate which soon
began to fly in every direction, compelling TIE
depredatory crowds to seek safety in flight.
even before the intense heat of the burning
building had made itself felt. OF course the
artistic merit of the work is of secondary i'm
portance to its historical interest. but il is at
the same time striking and effective compo-
sitlon and one which cannot f3il to attract a
considerable share OF attention.
GEORGE INNEss, the famous landscape
painter, who resides in beautiful residence at
Montclair suburb of Newark, N. J., is trying
an experiment of great interest to his profess
sion, Mr.. Inness recently broke his right arm
and he has had to carry it in sling ever since
Just before the accident occurred the artist had
received from Potter Palmer, the famous Chi.
cago millionaire commissions for some work,
for which, by agreement, he is to receive S12,-
600, Mr.. Inness did not want to lose the hand
some reward, but he seemed utterly incapaci-
tated for painting. The day after the accident
he went into his studio and while gazing at the
easel on which was marked out the labor in
view, the artist concluded to make an expert
ment. He went to an empty easel and put a
blank piece of canvass on it, then he sat down
to see what he could do by holding the brush in
his left hand. He painted a while, but the
effort was SO trying and painful that
he tainted. In fact, the exertion made
him so sick that he was confined to his bed for
several days from the effects. But Mr.. 1nness
did not give the effort up. He had gone far
enough to discover that, with patience and en-
durance. he might finally succeed. So as soon
as he recovered heNbegan practicing again. He
only worked an hour at time, and was careful
not to OveT-exert himself. The result is most
encouraging. While his left hand lacks the
skill of the right, 1t Is able to do fine work
slowly but effectually, and the artist has gone
steadily to work on Mr.. Palmer's commissions
He left for Florida last week, where he will re-
main until we'll along in the spring, and ad-
vance his work as fast as possible. The at
TEMPT to paint with the left hand, or rather TO
use both hands, Is sure to attract widespread
attention in art critics. II it can.be success
fully accomplished, it will be of immense bene-
fit 10 the busy artist. George Inness ranks
among the leading landscape painters Of the
century, living or dead. Benjamin Constant
first brought him to the public notice by bestow-
ing the highest praise upon him.