The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-05-21
A GEN OF WISCONSIN SCENERY.
Ambrose MacNeirs Great Painting, Sun
Set on Lake Mendoza.

set on Lake Mendoza, BY the we'll known
Scottish artist, Ambrose MacNeil, is per
haps the most notable picture ever pro-
duced in the state, both in point of size
and subject, and is one that Will reflect
not only credit to the painter, but honor
to the city of Madison and the state at
large.
The painting is entirely from nature
and represents one Of those gorgeous sun
sets on Lake Mendoza with which the
people Of Madison are SO familiar, and for
which that lake is famous. The point of
view is taken from the grounds Of United
States Senator Villas on the shore Of the
lake The landscape begins on the left
middle ground at a point opposite the
residences Of Messrs. Raymer and DIN
and President Chamberlin, showing sci
ence hall, the chemical labratory and
the main university building with the
dome of WaShburn observatory in the dis
lance The bold outline Of university hill,
with the dense foliage just slightly tinged
with the first touch of autumn, blends into
the distant shore line, extending beyond
the bay to Picnic point, over which the sun
is setting in beautiful hazy glow peculiar
to early autumn, and q path of gold
streams across the lake with soft but
glimmering sheen. There are number
of sail and row boats-and they are Madi-
son boats, too-which give life and spirit
to the scene A fresh off land breeze
seems to have sprung up and ustenough
to fill the sails and start ripple on the
water The SKY is full Of soft and tieecy
cloudlets tinted with the warm colors of
sunset while long line of strata cloud
lust touching the horizon and betting the
sun is glinted with a golden lining, and
the waters of the lake reflect the clouded
sky with all the beauty Of its coloring.
The picture is bright one and is what
an artist would call "a high key of color,
yet it is wonderfully soft and atmos-
pheric.
Mr.. MacNeil began the painting last
August, and now after many months of
hard labor and close application he has
produced what many term a magnificent
picture, a masterpiece.
The picture was evidently painted as
much for name as for money, and owing
to it's size it is best fitted for some public
place. and so the artist hopes to have it
come into the possession Of the city OF
Madison, or Of the state, or 20 belong to
the university, or the State Historical
society, and he wants the picture to 60 to
the worlds fair at Chicago in 1898 in
| the Wisconsin exhibit. Should that come
about it would certainly be a fine adver-
tisement for Madison and Wisconsin
scenery.
A number of prominent gentlemen here
have interested themselves in Mr. Mac
Neil and his painting. among whom may
be mentioned Hon. r. NJ Dyson and Hon
T. c. Richmond. The picture is certain
to gain national repute, and it will reflect
honor upon all those gentlemen who have
thus encouraged the artist,
During the two private views given the
painting at the Unitarian church last
week hundreds Of people visited it, and
among them many Of MadiSon's best art
Judges, of whom may be mentioned Judge
S. U. Pinney, Gen. Fairchlld Gen. Bry.
ant dean of the law school, Hon r. b
Anderson, Prof Rosenstengel, Mr. Bau-
man, editor Of the Stats Zeitung, Prof.
Parkinson, Prof Frankenburger, Prof.
Daniels, Prof Storm Bull Prof Turner.
and many other gentlemen both Of the
city and university. The intelligent YER
dict Of all who saw it. and Of the above
named gentlemen is that it is magnif- !
cent production.
The painting has been removed to the |
capitol, and placed in the art gallery of
the State Historical society, where il will |
remain on view free of access to the pub
lie. It is most beautifully framed and |
artistically draped in rich crimson plush,
surmounted by the arms Of the state of
Wisconsin.
Five thousand dollars is the value Mr..
MacNeil places on his picture: it cost him
fully $4,000 to produce it.-Madas0n
Democrat.