The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-05
PROF. CAMERON'S WORK.
His Fine Painting Of Niagara Falls at
the Boston Store.
HOW THE PAINTING WAS MADE.
The Artist Had Done Much Good Work In
England and Came to the United
States Nine Years Ago and Went at the
Painting at Once.

states NINE Years Ago anu went NJ the
Painting at Once.
The citizens of Providence have reason
TO congratulate themselves in having In
their midst such an enl ghtened company
OF gentlemen as the Calender. McAus'
Ian q Troup Company, who have just
signalized their business enterprise and
laudable desire TO forward the true Intel
lectuil culture of the community by
being the first, after John Wanamaker OF
Philadelphia, and Jordan, Marsh & Co.,
OF Boston, to secure for public exhibition
ih the carpet department of their store
on Westminster street. the very remark
able paintingof Niagara in Winter" by
Prof. p. Caledon Cameron.
Since this wonderful work OF art was
finished in Dec smber, 1889, after hav ing
been on hand for about six years. it has
Justly created u great interest in the art
world. IL was at frs placed on private
view at n series of receptions given by
the artist to about 600 of the leadin Z
connoisseurs of the country at his spa
clous and elegantly fitted studio in PhIl-
adelphia, where it was seen by Post
master General Wannamaker, who at
once engaged it Tor exhibition in the art
room of his famous establishment.
After passing through the busy store,
we observed great canopy or garnet
plush erected like a room within "A room,
aud Oh entering The curtained doorway 70
vision OF the III ltermost splendor and
magnificence burst upon our view. The
colossal painting measuring in its mas
sive gold frame II by 10 feet, is so taste
fully draped and skillfully illuminated.
I'M m not IN I'm InfI IA lf al l.
but the real Niagara itself in all it's
glory OF snow and ice. aud mighty tumb-
ling waters, as seen through u great win
dow from the inside OF a splendid palace.
So realistic is IL that, as everyone re-
marks, you elmost listen TO hear the roar
OF the cataract. The volumes of falling
water, the mighty clouds OF vapor, the
mountains of built up ice, the immense
and wonderful masses OF traceried icicles
pendent from berg, brink and rock, the
great precipices and trees crowned mujes-
" of Goat Island are all so natural ana
completely realistic that the visitor stands
enraptured and spell-bound be ore il.
In conversation with the artist il was
learned that after gaining considerable
lame in England as professor of art
under the British government, aud AS the
author OF several Important paintings
including a large historical work which
was bought by tue municip ility or Sal
ford. Manchester, for the public art gal
leries; he came to the United States
about niue years ago to fulfill long
cherished wish TO paint a picture OF
Niagara In Winter" His story of how
he began, the difficulties he encountered
and how the grand scheme grew under
his hands, is one OF unusual interest. As
he worked he became more ald more inn
pressed that To paint this subject was
worthy to bs the work of his nfe He
kya \ hnf 4 uI "a
cessful pictures of various parts of Mag
ara, but that no truly great reproduction
OF tue whole extent of Niagara had been
hitherto comDlshed.
Being thoroughly trained scientist as
well as artist. Mr.. Cameron used his
mathematical knowledge towards find-
ing the proper point of view and secur-
Ing absolute accuracy in his drawing;
indeed he triangulated and measured the
place as carefully as IL for n government
chart, and from has observations deducte
the precise point OF view on the river
below and in front of the Fails from
which the whole extent OF both Falls and
Goat Island, with paris of the American
aud Canadian shores. could be most ac-
and picturesquely focused into
one canvas. There has been a general inn
preston on the part Of he puotic, cri les
aud artists that Niagara Is one of those
subjects that cannot be successfully re-
produced. Mr. Cameron. however, didn't
agree with this, but believed il could be
done by one who had the necessary quail
fications in knowledge of perspective,
color. aerial effects, and in his powers of
persistent labor and physical endurance.
Having been great traveller in his
time. in which he has visited every contl-
nent on the globe and crossed every
ocean. painting, sketching and often
roughing 1t, as he went, he felt full con
tdence In his ability to accomplish "A
of "Niagara" III its whole ex-
Ient and in its winter aspect, which
would, once and for ali, do juctice TO the
grandeur Of the scene. In the work he
spared no toll, trouble or expense. A
,anvas of great strength, without a seam
md of sufficient size, 126 square feet, had
% be specially woven OF stout Scotch flax,
.ud an ingenious apparatus that comes
n ten parts tor stretching the canvas was
levised by the artist. lie often had to
,enture over the cliffs and swing by
opes at a dizzy helght for the purpose OF
altering the details for his painting,
ma stand ont on the uns able ice in the
litter cold OF our northern winters study
ng and working the scene direct from
lature.
Now that the great work is finished
md on public view, no one familiar with
Niagara can look upon it without feel
ng of wonder that the artist has been
Ible to so exactly reproduce the grand
ceue. Mr.. Cameron's magic brush has
aught one of the wonders OF the nat
Iral world, and faithfully fxel IL on
anvas. In no part is 1t a fancy sketh.
Even the dark and strangely ominous
loud masses, light touched here and |
here. are careful study, made on the
pot at the time of the first rush OF the !
rariul blizzard of March, 1SSs This ex-
electrical snow-cloud is rep |
esented here for the first and only time, |
ir. Cameron having been the Only |
anter who actually sketched it at the |
ime as IL first appeared. 1t gives the |
icture an historical interest as well as |
dding very picturesque effect TO it.
Mr.. Cameron's great strength as an |
rtist lies in his ability To represent at
lospheric aud cloud effects. and the va |
ious phases OF running aud moving |
'ater Only the incest sense OF color as |
ell as the most consummate skill. |
oupled with thorough knowledge OF |
a ure, can make this possible.
The coloring In this great painting is |
imply marvellous. The green of Niagara |
Ms no counterpart. IL Is unique i'm tint. !
In. Cameron mastered the geology OF |
ne falls. he learned why the water ana |
e effects were so frequently unique. lie /
lgasured. he sounded the depths OF the |
aters. he braved cold and danger. ac- |
,pting no ones sayso. lie sketched aud |