Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-02-21


Among other interesting things
here at present Is the collection Of
paiitings by the Russian, Verest-
chagen, at the Exposition building.
Gallery after gallery Of tapestried
drhpery is hung with the brilliant
and startling work of this Russian
Muenchauseu, ,picturing the wonder
rul srenes which he as an inni
yidual has Witnessed In the exepsri-
ence of nation. The extremist and
rcalist Of Russian character are all
expressed on huge canvasses, vast
like the pliins Of that titanic coun-
try, broad cxpanses of sky Win
scarcely "A horizon line visible in
change Of color, and the glaring
brilllancy of the still barbaric taste
Of a people unsoftened by mild
climes and warm suns. One reads
| the Russian consciousness in the
war element, an emphatic trait OF
barbarism, and her national con-
seriousness in the various phases of
conquest the vulture sweeping
down upon its p.ey, the tiger in the
act Of III min-eating, and the sirug.
giles between man aud man. The
culorlng Of these pictures is remark
able for its decilel contrasts, its un-
meditated combinations, even as one
who's soul is utterly devoid Of poe
try aud harmony might see and
point out here "A patch of green
grass, there white aud glaring
mosque, or sky absolutely blue.
Such is the realistic tendency, So
called, hut which fails to take into
account those other elements, such
atmospheric blendings, the very ma
ture Of mans eye to see thro' the
ideal, and lend its inner light to ex-
ternal facls,-such elements are dis
regarded as unreal, when they are
the fundamental realities of vision.
We pass down the street, un-
happy within, discouraged, we
scarcely see the objects as we pass
what matters 1t it there be IA wisp
Of green grass near the dusty curb
or not. Our inner vision Is sealed.
Again we are full Of courage and
pleasure at some success, and how
changed the scene; the sky and air
meet i'm one glad jubilance and we
feel kindly inclined toward the chill
dren we pass, and we seem to be
able to see on all sides and behind
and before. This has been our ex-
prriencc and because Of it our eyes
have been opened to real and unreal
realism.
This collection has attracted enor-
nous attention, but just at present
there il an increase of attendance,
and we follow to see what the pub
lie has found. In Il further, inner
room, which is hung in heavy folds
OF cardinal, and carpeted to soften
the approach of those who come
thither to see, hangs small oil
painting in a modest gilt frame,
how different the coloring, how soft
and harmonious, aud yet how sim
pie and unpretentious! Two fl cures
stand with heads bowed and in per-
feet reverential rep0se. AT their
feet and about them lie the lmple-
ments of rude toll, 1.-THE hoe and
the barrow. To the left stands the
man, whose every outline h"speaks
womanly reverence. To the right,
the woman, wrapped In the very
abnegation of self in the presence OF
higher recognition, The sunset
glow hathes both form and land
scapc In soft warmth aud from far
across the fields come the yesper
chimes of the Angelus.
These two peasants at the thought
of God have laid dow" their human
burden and supreme faith rises up
from their humble hearts in response
to the call. This picture in all Its
various reproductions has always
appealed To the human heart, not
alone To the artist. The world has
long since recognized It's perfect pur-
ity and true simplicity. But here,
before the original work Of him who
conceived an made 1t manifest, We
are brought closely to the painter
( for thro' his fruits we must know
| him.
Millct was himself as simple and
pure in heart rs the Norman peas
ants. He was tue Ia every human
relation and true to himself and TO
was able In the midst Of the cor
ruptness and impurity of Partisan ART
to hang mp such picture and say to
Paris that purity aud faith are not
all dead, for out ON the Normandy
fields II still lives aud grows aud
grows"
But how much faith il must have
taken on the part Of Millet, To gn on
painting such things MS the world
,elertel, aud in the midst IF poverty
aud family stress be true to his Ideal.