Mower County transcript., 1893-06-21
IN N'H!HE.ARl p Oh
A Look at Some 81. sthe Paint.
ings on Exhibition. I
STORY OF 4 DOMESTIC TRAGEDY,

1t is the Greatest Picture To BE Seen at tn,
Worlds Fair and is Entitled "Alo1e IL
the World ''-Tendency of Modern Paint
ing Toward Dramatic Effect Exemplifiet
in the Display.
WORLDS FAIR, June 22. - Especial. -
In a former letter spoke Of the tendency
OF modern painting, as exem plifed in the
exposition Art palace, toward dramatic
effect, and limited that I might some day
write about the many fine examples there.
OF to be found here 1t is q topic which ]
think you will like. If I am able to do nc
more than to whet your appetite for per.
sonal study of the powerful paintings
which the artists of the world have hung
on these walls, I shall be content; and
then, when you come to see them for your.
self, and are stirred by them as thousands
are stirred every day, you will thank me
Tor having called your attention to them.
BY common consent, it seems, of both
populace and critics, the greatest picture
OF the exposition is "Alone in the World
1t is by Josef Israels, who is Hollander
and now an old man nearly ready to lay
down the brush and palette. But before
we talk OF his picture let us see what tri.
unphs he has won on the field of art be
tore producing this his masterpiece anG
the most talked-about of all the paintings
of the Columbian salon. AS long ago as
1867 he won third medal at the Paris Elk
position Universal, and was decorated with
the Legion of Honor At the exposition
OF 1878 he took first medal, and was made
an officer of the Legion. Hehas won many
other medals and honorable mentions.
His masterpiece is quiet, unpretentious
work. 1t shows the interior of peasants
house, without details. The peasant has
come home from his toll and found his
wife in bed, dead. Her hands are clasped
outside the coverlet. There is look o1
peace on her face. The workman has not
burst into tears; he has not fallen upon
his knees by the side Of the bed; he has
not grasped one Of the cold hands and
begged but a word from the lips which he
knows will never speak again. Instead
he has seated himself Oh a bench, and
turned his face from the bed. His cap and
pipe have fallen to the focr His feet, in:
cased in wooden shoes, are far apart, and
on either knee is one Of his big, work:
widened hands. The fingers are sprawled
il abjectness, rs if there were not remain.
ing in him energy or spirit enough to con.
tract their muscles. His body is bent
slightly forward, and the eyes are staring
at-nothing The man is stunned by the
blow. He is dazed by the one phase Of con.
sciousness left to him-that of loneliness.
1t is curious to watch the effect which
this picture has upon the people who pass
it. Not one in a thousand of them knows
it is famous picture, or that it's painteris
one of the great artists Of the world. They
do not need to know these things. The
picture speaks for itself. It tells its simple
story of domestic tragedy in way that
reaches all hearts. The people pause to
look at it. They are touched. In my judg.
ment this is the true test for picture that
is simple, of common, if not commonplace
scenes. The critics may, or may not, be
satisfied with it, They may assail its
technique and condemn its coloring, but
no matter. Ii it arrests the attention OF