The Washington times., 1894-04-29
Qrt Uotes.

The delightful series of the exhibits Of the
work of local artists at V. G. Fishers art gal
lery closed yesterday with that of R. L. Grand
Johnson, which ran successfully during the
past week. Though Mr.. johnson came last
his brush-work was by no means least in
merit or beauty.
He possesses the happy faculty Of grouping
his animal studies in the midst of scenery
which, without them, would possess elements
of interest to lovers Of nature or art. His
specially is animal life, and the picture is
doubtless a secondary consideration with
him, but whatever he does has a touch OF
trueness and an indication Of ideality, kind
of poetic license, that lifts his subjects into
the realm of art and beyond mere copying.
Indeed, Mr.. johnson has the artistic instinct
united to passion for beauty that is satisfy
ing to those who do not think everything
rerishable must necessarily be artistic.
He catches the gieam of sunlight and the
summerish aspects of his subjects in a man
ner peculiarly his own. ANY one Of his pic
lures in the home would afford rest and pleas
ure to tired mind.
''Cows in Pasture" is fine study OF bovine
life. The attitude Of these placid animals
jerseys-in the foreground is characteristic,
while the physiology of the COW is true to
life. The landscape in which they are set Is
a Summer scene familiar to all.
"An Oriental Market Place is a much
more ambitious and probably technically diff
ficult subject projected on the line in which
Alma Tadema and Weeks have had such re-
markable success. While not claiming for
it all the painstaking finish and detail OF these
great painters works. it is still fine COM
position. The white walls in high light, the
picturesque group OF men. and cameis IN the
foreground. the palm hanging over the wall
and the bit OF bluest OF oriental skies form
charming group.
November is rare Autumn landscape,
with bit Of water in the foreground. The
tones are skillfully handled in this ideally
beautiful picture.
"Spring Pasture" is bit Of Spring caught
and imprisoned and forms delightfully."-
ideal Spring pastoral. with apple trees in
bloom, and the sheep, which Mr.. johnson
paints so well, under the trees.
"The Goose Girl is u study OF peasant lie
that has humorous motive, which in its por.
trayal Of the inquisitive and resentful old
gander is quite successful.
THE Old Dove Cote" and "Working in the
Wintergreens." especially the latter, were
very clever bits of brush work. The last pic
tule was sold, as was also several OF the
smaller studies. Mr.. johnson exhibited
about forty pictures in all, and while as a
whole the collection was most charming, and
gives evidence of his industry and taste. all
were not equally meritorious. Fewer sub
jects well worked out tell an artists story,
and show that he can do quite as well, II not
better than so many pictures on view at one
time.
Mr.. Fischer deserves well for the intelligent
and appreciative enthusiasm with which he
has entered into the business Of encouraging
these exhibits and in helping to bring the
home talent to the front and into competition
with other American artists no more deserv-
ing.
While it has not been good commercial
season, and the appreciators have not always
been the buyers, the impulse toward higher
standards and to improvement has been felt
among the guild.
Mr.. Y. G. Fisher cannot extend the limits
OF his gallery, Us he had designed, because the
plan interferes with certain building regu-
lations of the District, but that does not mean
that he has abandoned the Idea" OF a more
extensive gallery, as he expects during the
Summer to add greatly to his art store, and
on his return he will be prepared to develop
his idea on other lines. no doubt.
Miss Jane Brigham Curtis, whose strong
pastel attracted SO much attention at the late
exhibit at the Cosmos Club house. has opened
q studio at No. 1908 street northwest. Miss
Curtis Is as charming woman as she Is q
good workman in art. She Is ut home to her
friends in her studio on Friday afternoons.
Miss Curtis "Spaniard, !" the most noticeable