Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-29
ART NOTES.

AT, WHICH cnuf1sniy refused TO allow any OF
lite possessions to 60 TO Chicago Ii is indeed
much more generous than that Of any other in
stitution in the country. What were especially
wanted from the gallery here were works BY
the earlier American masters. for that depart
ment Of the Exposition designed as retro
spectve exhibition OF American art,-its collec-
tlon being happily quite rich in examples suit
able for such an Illustration. Accordingly, on
the request OF the committee charged with the
duty OF selection for that particular display,
the aforementioned thirteen paintings were
forwarded by express TO Chicago last week
The Tornado. by Thomas Cole; Judgment
OF Paris. by Henry Peters Gray; portraits Of
Col. and Mrs. John Tayloe. BY Gilbert Stuart:
portrait Of Bernardin St. Pierre, by r Peale;
portrait Of Col Richard NJ. Johnson. by Maggie:
portrait Of the artist Malbone. by himself; por-
trait of G. W. P. Custis. BY Waldo; portrait Of
Col Thomas Mckinney, by Charles L. Elliott;
Ideal Head" by George Baker. "A Long
story, by VIM NJ Mount; Ball playing
among the Sioux" by Col s. @. Eastman, and
Tlton.
In addition to these. the Gallery has also loaned
'ne bravo Toro, by Anne Morot This painting
was sent TO Chicago on the special request OF
the artist, who wished to be represented there
oy TINS particular canvas. which he regards 90
one OF bis strongest and very best works. A
pun ngnt can never be pleasing object to q
person Of reasonably delicate sensibilities,
either In real life or pictorial representation.
put this is unquestionably apainting Of unoom-
mon power, and did much, as he realizes. 10
establish the artists reputation A one az ths
greatest OF modern masters.
-.
1t is unfortunate for all concerned that the
display Of Max weyrs paintings At Fischer's.
this week should have occurred at time when
SO many persons who both admire and encour-
age true art are out OF town. But notwith-
standing this untoward circumstance, the ex-
hibit has been pronounced success, in financial
results, it is . pleasure to say, well as in an
artistic point Of view. As 10 the first men
toned aspect Of the case, it may be said that no
less than seven Of the paintings were sold the
first day the collection was exposed to view,
and that up to the last evening nearly half Of
the whole number were disposed Of. This is
an experience that is given few artists to enjoy,
and an evidence Of appreciation of which almost
any ono might be proud. As to the quality
OF the work, that Is understood. Mr.
Weyl IL SO harmoniously in touch
with nature, his own temperament Is so
earnest and sincere, and his touch Is 90 firm
and true that nothing leaves his easel that is
not captivating in its fidelity and tenderness,
with poetic charm in each effort that is De-
cuiiarly its own, whatever phase Of nature his
pencil undertakes to portray. There has not
been hung in the room single canvas that is
not admirable in its way. but within the last
couple Of days two lately completed pictures
have been added, in both Of which il NAV be said
that the artist has touched his very highest
point, and one which, il can be truthfully said.
that comparatively few artists, whatever their
reputation, are able to pass They are wholly
unlike. in subject and treatment, yet the most
exacting connoisseur would be puzzled
which to choose. Indeed. the choice would
depend upon the temperament Of the chooser
rather than on the artistic merit of the pic
lures. and the chances are that the riddle would
be solved by an irresistible desire to possess
them both One represents q long, low, level
stretch OF marshy land, with Q pool Of quiet
water in the foreground and larger body and
bit Of wood land in the distance. The time
chosen Is after sunset, with the after glow warm
and golden in the west. and, in compietest SYM
pathy, most exquisite poetic sentiment per-
vades the whole scene. The other canvas
shows an opposite aspect Of nature. rugged
hillside, covered with massive rocks and a rich
growth Of vines and shrubbery rises in the
foreground. while the sky is shut from view by
masses OF heavy gray lowering clouds which
Indicate showers past and to come partly
worn path winds it way around rocks and
bushes, and a figure in the middle distance
lends a human interest to what would other
wise be q somewhat sombre but none the less
attractive bit Of realism. These two pictures
shown in Paris would Of themselves make the
reputation Of an artist, and whoever owns
them will be the envied possessor Of pair Of
veritable gema
IN mt hat ~
rive from Havre in New York tomorrow is to
bring over Rochegrosse's much talked Of paint
ing entitled The Fall Of Babylon" has revived
the question. raised some time ago, whether its
exhibition In this country will be allowed. II
is an immense affair, to size, being some
thirty seven feet long by about twenty-seven
feet high; but it is not the matter Of its dimen-
sions that stands in the way Of its exposure to
public view, since q room large enough to ex-
hibit it in can undoubtedly be found Is soon as
it is definitely settled that 1t may be exhibited
at all. 1t is the subject Of the painting. or.
more strictly speaking, the artists conception
and treatment Of the subject, that form the
ground Of objection to its exhibition. Briefly
described, the picture, which IL gorgeous in
color and full OF sensuous suggestion, repre-
sents, in strikingly realistic manner, q scene
OF revelry In q royal banqueting hall in Babylon
on the night preceding the fall Of that wicked
city. The room, which il richly adorned
with oriental tapestries. In filled with rev.
elers, whose debaucheries have been rudely
terminated by the entrance of an armed foe
menaclng destruction and death. In the fore
ground are half clothed or wholly naked men
and women, some Of whom are asleep or in a
drunken stupor among the remnants Of the
feast, while others who have been aroused by
the approach OF the conquerors are striving to
awaken their companions. The attitudes Of
these persons and their scant and transparent
costumes are the points that excite the disap-
proyal Of Mr.. Anthony Comstock, who swears
BY all the gods on high Olympus that he will
seize and destroy the canvas the moment II
shall be exposed to the gaze Of the public
Whatever the outcome. the proceedings will be
watched with interest rs the result 10 likely to
have considerable future influence, for il will
likely decide the question whether or not any
single individual, however capable and fair
minded he may be, shall have the sole and
rather hazardous right to determine what works
OF art shall be admitted into the country for
exhibition.
1t may be said further in relation to the
painting In question that when IL was exhibited
In the Paris Salon, in 1891, it provoked q good
deal OF discussion there As to its probable moral
effect. though its artistic qualities were freely
conceded. 1t was also shown last summer in
the triennial international art exhibition in
Munich, where it attracted comparatively little
attention and created no particular sensation