The morning call., 1893-01-08
AN ART SPECIALITY.
p. F. Watson Leads in His
Chosen Line.
Architectural Subjects Alone Attract
His BruSh-WiIl Exhibit Shortly
in This City.

"The chief reason local art in San Fran
cisco is not properly appreciated is because
the artists do not do their best work." said
p. Fletcher Watson yesterday.
Mr.. Watson Is entitled 10 speak with some
authority on art and artists. He appends
the letters p. A. A. aud f. S. A. to lis name
and Is president of the Australian Academy
of Art situate at sc Pitt street, Sydney, Of
which the Governor of Australia is patron
and Sir Frederick Leighton of the Royal
Academy Of London an honorary vice. pres
ident.
Besides these distinctions, he carries an
open letter of credit to the artistic world In
his portfolios. which contain a remarkable
series of original sketches.
Art architecture is his peculiar line. and
his interiors of monasteries, cathedrals,
cloiSterS and crypts are likely TO excite con-
siderable interest in local art circles. The
aspect chosen and the coloring are remark
able in effect. but the most striking feature
OF the sketches is the extraordinary atten-
ton TO detail.
1t almost appears as IL they were made as
an elevation to accompany an architects
working plans, and this Is accounted for by
Mr.. Watson telling that he was brought up
with bis brother in the office OF their father.
A. y. Watson, famous architect.
His brother, Thomas Henry Watson,
stayed with the architectural work and is
now architect to the Duke Of Devon shire
and president of the Architectural Associa-
ton of London, having taken six gold and
silver medals of distinction. On one occa-
sion he obtained the gold medal at the
Royal Academy on the same year that his
brother secured the silver medal, the latter,
of course, for painting.
Many of Mr.. Watson's paintings occupy
places in galleries abroad and in private
collections.
Since his arrival in this city he has pro-
duced three new works intended for the
Chicago exhibition.
One is the interior OF the Burgos Cathed-
raj. Spain. showing procession of cardinals
and figures in prayer in q setting of rare
color conveyed by stained glass, carved
finals and pointed arches in varied lights.
Another is st. Pierre Cathedral, Caen,
Normandy, and shows the tomb of William
the Conqueror, where high mass is being
celebrated
The third is Toledo Cathedral, and In this
the extraordinary attention to minute of
architecture is strongly manifested, al
though subordinate TO the more comprehen-
sive requirements Of distance and general
effect.
IL is Mr. Watson's intention to exhibit
these pictures at an early date to few con-
nolsseurs and 10 remain several months in
San Francisco.
In general conversation he intimated that
art in Australia was in Furnishing con-
dition. They are hundred years old over
there" lie said, land having settled their
commercial status can afford to turn to tts
culture of art.
Yet have met some remarkably fine
artists here, and if they do not find their
work appreciated it Is because. as l said,
they do not do their best.
They must paint up to the European
standard and they will find market any
where. In these days everything Is special
lied, and art is no exception. The artist
must take up specially. approach perfec-
ton In that specially and the results will
be artistic and financial success.
"But your artists have wonderful advan-
tages here in San Francisco.
las you will see by these sketches, I have
travelled extensively in Italy, Spain, France,
England. besides the Antipodes, and never
yet found a climate equal to that of San
Francisco
Artists can work here all the year round
out of doors in their shirt sleeves, should
think. and hope TO be joined her shortly
by my family from Australia and to remain
as long as j cam
Mr.. Watson has been made an honorary
guest of the Bohemian Club, for he is
thorough Bohemian. although he says he
draws the line at smoking q short pipe.