Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-31
ART NOTES.

party Of gentlemen will leave this city this
| evening for New York for the purpose Of pri-
vately inspecting the Seney collection Of paint
| ings tomorrow, for which privilege special per-
mission has been granted. The company in
cludes three or four trustees of the Corcoran
Gallery and several other connolsseurs and prob
able purchasers. II is likely, therefore, as II is
| to be hoped, that some Of the treasures brought
together by Mr.. Seuey may find future abode
! in Washington.
The small list of what may be called dis
| tinctively American painters sustained very
serious loss in the death of Mr.. Jervis McEntee,
| which occurred on Tuesday at the old family
homestead near Rondout, NY. Mr.. McEntees
| forte was American landscape in autumnal
lights and colors, and in the portrayal OF this
phase Of nature he probably had no superior,
If an equal. He was regular exhibitor In the
National Academy Of Design-having been an
MA Of long stsnding-aDd he likewise had
paintings in the Centennial Exposition in 76,
in the Royal Academy in 70 and in the French
| received the compliment Of honorable men
ton" His works may be found in nearly all
the best collections in this country, and not a
few Of them are owned abroad
4 X y +
The portrait Of young lady, painted by Mrs.
Anna Lea Merritt, recently placed in the same
room in the Corcoran Gallery with couple Of
canvases by Cabanel, does not at all suffer by
comparison with the work of that popular
French master, who is Just now supposed to
excel any of his countrymen in the portrayal
of the female figure. Less delicate in treat
ment than his portrait of Miss Letter. Mrs.
Merritt's painting is stronger in handling and
richer in color, and while it will probably be
less liked generally than that example, 1t is
| on the other hand likely to be more admired
than Cabaners other picture, shown in the
same room. The pose OF the figure is admira-
Bile and the rich apricot silk evening dress
brings it out with effect that is at once strik-
| ing and pleasing. Mrs. Merritt has painted In
London for several years past, and expects to
return there in March, until which time she
will retain q studio in this city.
=
usual, the Walters Galleries in Baltimore win
be open this season for the benefit OF the poor
of that city, every Wednesday in February.
March and April, and on the sd Of February
and Easter Monday.
\
The portrait Of Senator Voorhees, recently
| painted by Mr.. Andrews has been placed on
view in the Corcoran Gallery, where the public
will now have an opportunity to pass judgment
upon it. And the verdict can hardly fail to be
favorable, since the painting may truthfully be
said to show both subject and artist at their
best The distinguished statesman is painted
in full size, at something over half length,
standing in an easy position, clothed in a full
suit of black, including q heavy overcoat with
cape. The likeness is excellent, the expression
being natural and animated, and the drapery
admirably managed, and so painted as to show
that there is a man within,-a result which all
artists are not always able to achieve.
\ n
Mr.. Andrews is at present engaged on life
size full-length portrait of Mrs. Dolly Madison,
which promises to be, when completed, q most
attractive picture. The period chosen is at q
younger age than she is ordinarily represented,
and long before she assumed the historical tur-
ban. 1t therefore possesses more interest
than the pictures Of Mrs. Madison usually seen.
For the portrait Mr.. Andrews has relied
on the likeness painted from life by Stuart, and
for her dress he was fortunate enough to pro-
cure costume OF the period, consisting Of
figured yellow satin overskirt with white satin
petticoat, embroidered in colors. If it is in
! tended to make a complete collection Of 'Iadies
of the White House" this portrait would make
fit companion for those Of Martha Washing
ton. Mrs. Van Buren,, Mrs. Polk, Mrs. Tyler
and Mrs. Hayes, now in the Executive Mansion.
n \ y
The number Of visitors at the Corcoran
Gallery last evening was 1910. The attendance
on Friday evening Of last week was 2175.
Mr.. Legrand johnson has recently placed on
exhibition at the Fischer art store two oil paint
ing which may be said to touch higher point
than any of his productions have hitherto
reached. The first, representing young shep-
hertess with her flock, will be apt at first sight
to suggest q thought of both Chialiva and
Charles sprague Pearce. though, beyond simi-
larity of subject, it is not in any sense an imi-
tation of either. 1t is free from the hardness
and stiffness which characterize most OF the
work of the last-named artist, while il has
strength and decision which the. can
vases of the other do not usually possess. The
sheep are admirably painted, and the landscape
equal of the first in quality, shows little peasant
girl watching flock OF geese, with the rank her
bage, rich foliage and warm. clear atmosphere
of early summer time as appropriate accessories.
The figure is well modelled, but what will
especially attract the eye Of the observer is the
careful and lifelike manner in which the fowls
| constituting the little girls charge are por-
| trayed- Nothing but the closest study aided
| by great skill IN drawing and correct use of
color could produce SUCH excellent results with
q theme SO commonplace.
| n
There may also be seen at Fishers, where il
is temporarily awaiting frame, one of the
most mastery bits Of painting that Washing
tonians often have an opportunity to zee. 1t is
a small head of an Abyssinian chief, painted by
Henri Regnsult, that marvellous French genius,
whose brilliant light went out all too soon.
The canvas is unpretending in size, and the
subject is treated in most sketchy way; but
with few forceful strokes the artist has put
| before you all the pride, audacity, strength
| and cruelty Of an untamed son Of the tropical
desert. II is the property Of Senior Mendonca,
the Brazilian Minister, who Is the fortunate
| possessor OF many other works of great value,
| by old and modern masters but it is doubtful
whether he has anything that in its way is finer
\ than this, II as fine. Is is an absolute work Of
genius, and will hold its own in any company.
|
A late copy of the Cincinnati Enquirer says:
''The many friends Of Mr.. A. G. Heaton, the
distinguished Washington artist, who has been
so popular in q social and artistic way during
his stay in our city, will learn with pleasure
that his stay has been prolonged for some
weeks. Mr.. George K. Shoenberger of Clifton
is SO pleased with the portrait recently painted
| for him by Mr.. Heaton that he has given him a
commission for three duplicates to be distrib.
uted in the family. The features of the master
of Scarlet Oaks, as portrayed by Mr.. Heaton
stand out from the canvas with life like dis