The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-19
ALITTLE ART TALK.
Some Paintings and Pictures by Wichita
Woman.

Woman.
A week or two since reference was made, |
in these columns, to the fact that the e&-
perts in the New York custom house
would not admit the paintings of Mrs NJ. |
J. Sherman as the work of an amateur or |
student abroad, but held them for duty as |
works of art, Mrs. Sherman then oelng on |
her way home from Darmstadt, Germany, |
where she had spent nearly two years I'M
der the tutelage of Madam Bosteng. After
three or four weeks delay, and through |
proper certificates and afiidavits, the req
tape rules of the treasury department were
satisfied and the pictures were released
They can now be seen in the big WINDOW
of martins art store, on Market street
There are two German landscapes, two
miniature portraits, and Alpine mountain
sketch, one bird-life, one fruit
piece and one real life. The
miniatures are fine and the landscapes
charming, especially the Alpine scene ana
the Rhine view. The bird life is OF
family of German patridges and will pro-
badly look strange to Americans. The
fruit piece, in that it differs so greatly
from the conglomerate masses of reds and
store, has attracted much attention, not
only for the wonderful truthtulness OF the
objects reproduced, but because OF its
setting. The fruit lies at the base OF
grand Doric column beside which stands
royal bronze vase, the foliations and rlch
tracings of which stand out in wonderful
and charming relief. Eptwlned up ana
about the shaft of the column is the Vlne
tendrils and flowers of a morning glory,
and beyond is delightful vista OF SOFT
perspective. castle and mountains IN the
remoter distance. German sparrows are
making an attack on the lucious fruit.
Among the group of gentlemen standing
admiring the picture yesterday morning
| local artist remarked that the conception
and execution of this fruit piece IN Its
entirety, were the finest he had ever seen.
But these can be seen and studied by
any one at their leisure. 1t is OF the work
of real ard still life we wish to speak,
which unquestionably is the gem Of the
collection 1t is picture of dim old
garrett. brown with age and smoke, and
| lighted by single dormer window. In
the full light of this window sits an old
bachelor with coffee mill between his
knees, grinding away, and at the same
time, through his spectacles, intently
reading a book which lies spread open on
a chair at his knees His soul Is IN the
look which seems to hesitate at some pro-
| found proposition of the page The ex-
preston seen in the grip of his hands and
the grasp of his fingers, together with his
whole attitude indicate the intense ear
nestness which absorbs him. The red fire
in his stove behind him burns 1nheeded,
the steam from its boiling kettle sings on
unnoticed, the grinding ceases, while ne
sees, feels knows but the one thing The
picture is interesting in other particulars,
especially in its lights and shades, and
in its brilliant contrasts of light and dark
colors. The ample dressing gown which
envelopes the old mans figure is net
green, full of big patches, over which the
light of the dormer window pours, reveal
ing all it's folds, seams and stitches IN
DELIGHTFULLY."- artistic and real way. BY
side of the chair that holds his book,
stands his long-stemmed German pipe; on
the floor an old fashioned torn envelope,
with its wrapper of red sealing wax; back
of him table, dingy with age, upon
which sits a cup and lamp; in the recess oil
| Uno WlnuOW uduSS oil 40
corner is a case containing number oil
time worn books Everything is in keep
ing and characteristic, but the intent face
and the expression of the hands reveal
the artistic instincts of the painting more
than all else Mr.. Martin says
that number have pronounc
ed 1.-THE Bachelor the finest
piece of work ever brought to the city
Certain it is that it is not generalized anc
impossible landscape of the average pain,
pot, nor yet piece of distorted stlli-llfe
but a conscientious work of time and love
in which details are not forgotten OF
sighted, but in which the general effect Il
an attractive unity well worth the study
and admiration of those who can apprecI
ate it.
Mrs. Sherman has opened studio in TIT
Barnes building for the purpose OF IN
structing either new beginners or more ad
, vanced students, and she ought to have al
the scholars she would desire or such mum
Der as would fill her time.