Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-09
FOR DISTRICT PLAYERS.
ART NOTES.

ART NOTES.
The exhibition of water colors at the Cosmos
Club during the week is highly creditable one
as whole, and must be something of a surprise
to those who supposed that the late display by
the Society of Washington Artists at the Wood
ward L Lothrop galleries had exhausted the
resources or even illustrated the full powers Of
our local talent. As is to be expected in such
cases, some indifferent work is to be seen, and
it must be admitted that poor work is shown
by some of the artists who are capable of better
things; but the average is good, and there are
a number of exceedingly clever drawings in the
display. And a pleasant feature of the exhibit
ton is the number OF comparatively new names
in the catalog, some of which are attached to
better results than is to be expected of begin
ners. OF course one looks for, and is
pretty sure to find, good work from those
who are SO competent Holmes, Gill,
Paris, Miller. Moser, Kindleberger, Sand
ham, Helmick, Putzki, and others almost
equally well known; but some of those who
have had far less practice do themselves quite
as much credit 1t is hardly necessary, and it
may be unjust to some others not named, to
draw attention to particular examples in sup
port OF this observation. but it is scarcely less
than duty to make specific reference to the
work OF some of the newer exhibitors, among
whom should be mentioned Bertha E. Perrie,
Susan H. Bradley, Antoinette Drew, E. J.
Smith, A. Terry, J. P. Lacey, Juliet Thompson,
Grace Atwater; Anita W. lngle, Henrietta P.
Dunn Ornn,o Felix NAH Mahoney' 6. A. Van Roren
Nichols, A. T. Tappan, and W. II. Chandlee.
The case containing decorated china is also well
worthy the attention of visitors, as showing
what has been accomplished in this direction.
Many Of the specimens constituting this collec-
ton would pass muster with high credit mark
III any display of amateur work.
Mr.. Walter Paris who arrived in this coun-
try a couple of weeks ago, has given up the
professorship Of drawing etc., In the Royal
Military School at Woolwich, to which he was
appointed before leaving Washington. The
experiences Of the position were valuable. in
their way, but he found its duties too monoto-
nous, and SO resigned the place for the life Of
freedom and variety to which he had been ac-
customed, and which he was not content to
wholly surrender. He will spend the summer
in Colorado, making Colorado Springs head
quarters, and expects to return in September
to Washington, where he hopes to stay at least
during the winter.
A somewhat novel experiment Is to be
made by the Society of American Artists in
the transfer bodily Of its present exhibit from
New York to Boston. where it will be installed
in the Museum of Fine Arts. The collection
which numbers $50 canvdses, will open in
Boston about the first of June, and continue
for a month.
- The many Washington friends Of Mr.. Will
lam Verplanck Birney will be pleased to learn
that the painting on which he has been working.
in Paris for several months past has been ac-
cepted by the jury of the Royal Academy, and
has been assigned good place at the spring
exhibition in London. Mr.. Birney will spend
the summer in England and return to New
York in September.
The ultimate fate OF the famous verest-
chagin collection of paintings and art objects
seems to be uncertain. Arrangements had
been made to sell it at auction some time this
month, but the sudden departure for Europe
of the artist couple of weeks ago changed
everything, and just now nobody appears to
know what the outcome will be. Meantime the
collection will be on exhibition in the galleries
of the American Art Association in New York,
awaiting the result of the owners illness, in
which, it is intimated, some mental distur bance
as well CD great physical prostration is involved.
- In spite of the dogma SO largely held by
artists and critics that stilllfe subjects do not
worthily express artistic feeling. they unques-
tionably demand great technical skill for ade-
quate treatment, and that they strongly appeal
to the popular taste is proven by the fact that
they not infrequently bring higher prices than
pictures portraying loftier themes. This point
was illustrated by the late outcome of Mr.. Gilrs
fourteenth annual exhibition in Springfield,
Mass, where a canvas by Harnett, entitled
'Emblems of Peace" brought $1,000, while the
highest figure reached by the work of any other
artist was 81 200, though Bricher, J. G. Brown,
Church, De Haas, Guy. the Hnrts the Morans,
Richards and others of equal reputation were
represented in the collection. 1t has also had
illustration in this city lately in the instance of
u sale of one Of his still-life pieces by Mr.. r. La
Barre Goodwin to Mrs. Hearst for 81 200.
which is said to be the highest price paid
here for painting this season. Mr.. Goodwin,
by the way, has just sent to Mr.. Gill; to fill an
order from Springfield, two OF his characteristic
and carefully painted canvases. Each repre-
sents an old door, stained with rust marks
from bolts, etc. Upon one is hung bunch of
quail, woodcock and ducks, with gun, hunting
hat, bo6ts, ETC., suitably disposed. Upon the
other are displayed the results of a days sport,
in the form of quail, grouse, rabbits, ETC., with
a hunters outfit as accessories. Mr.. Goodwin.
who has a temporary studio over 1913 Penn
sylvania avenue. is now engaged on q wild
turkey that promises to be one Of his very best
efforts.