New-York tribune., 1892-04-28
A YOUNG NEW- YORK STUDENT.
THE SUCCESSES OF FRANK EUGENE SMITH
AT MUNICH.

Munich, March o0-A good deal Of attention has
been attracted of late to the unusual talent and prom
ise exhibited by young American student at the
ROYAL Academy OF Fine Arts In this city, Frank Eugene
Smith, of New York. who was admitted TO the Academy
at the end OF 1887 as entire stranger having no
acquantances, even In our artist circles. and has
made his own way to a distinguished rank. having
lately received for the fifth time the honor OF diploma
at the annual exhibition. To appreciate what this
means you shoud understand that the exhibition held
by the Academy at the beginning Of each year com
p1ses nearly three hundred pictures all OF the same
subject which has been previously announced by the
faculty; that one first prize and from five 10 nine
diplomas OF " honorable mention" awarded to the
best pictures among This largo number; and that TO
secure five times running, OF these coveted and
rar. distinctions Is no small achievement. The
emnencc thus Indicated is aescd also by strong tcsti
mony from the professors mt the Academy OF whom
recently declared that the young man from New
York; in his Judgment the best artist among the
students there. And the seal has beeo set these
favorable opinions by official act, the significance
Of which students in Munich probably understand
better than persons at q distance Namely the mag
nincent new building Of the Academy, ut the end OF
the Lndwigstrasse, the Siegcsthor contains few
private studios the Of which. free OF rent for
period Of at least three years. Ia granted to students
who have shown themselves worthy OF such special
favor This honor aIdenty desired. difficult TO obtain
bestowed upon Mr.. Smith
Probably his work IS as yet little known In America.
At least the only picture OF his now on your side Of
the water, far l aware, Is Laughing
Negro" which his first public success. and was
purchased by Mr. Joseph Jefferson your famous actor.
Another Of his successful pictures exhibited in 1890,
believe, was q Study Of Holland Girl In white
lace cap. and eHqnlsitely touched with sunlight. In
1891 tho theme set for the Academy exhibition was
Winter" and his treatment of 1t In simple evening
scene "a white haired grnvcdigger. at work in village
graveyard among the snOw-covered mounds, humble
tombstoncs and wooden crosses, and under stormy
sky Just deepening 10 night. received the popular
pause and the official recognition which had by this
time become the usual verdict upon his work
This year the subject d" The Raising OF Lazarus"
and The composition and treatment Of this picture
both revercnt and cfeCtlvc-thc story Of varied
emotions among the Apostles, the Jewish spectators
and the wOrsppinc. grateful sisters, being admirably
told while the figure and face Of the using Lazarus
are powerfully depicted. and yet all is dominated by
the central form Of Christ.
I saw lately in Mr. smiths studio two other Scrip
tura pcturesa " Rest on the Flight Into Egypt and
an altapcce representing the saviour, fallen beneath
the weight OF the cross.
You will that his range Is not limited. In fact
he has achieved decided success pOrtralt-pantcr. .
and presume II Is In that that he has maintained
himself while pursuing the higher studies Of his art.
II Won never heard Of him before yOu can take my
word you will hear Of him often enough hereafter.