The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-30
HONOR TO T. C. STEELE
CHICAGO CRITICS RANK HIM AS A
FAMOUS AMERICAN ARTIST.
His Exhibition of Expressionist Pic
lures at dorado Taft's Studio At
tracts Much Attention.

Chicago art people the first to give
to T. c. Steele. Of Indianapolis, the general
recognition which his high ranking as an
American artist deserves, and the critics
in that city, during the last week, have
written columns about his works. which are
now on exhibition at dorado Tafts studio.
The following, from the Chicago Record.
shows the new laurels Mr.. Steele has
gained:
"T. c. Steele ran up from Indianapolis yes
terday TO discover that he had suddenly be-
come famous American artist. All day
long he was the center of a changing group
OF OF visitors in dorado Tafts sculptural stu.
and his confreres were on exhibition under
the auspices of the Central Art Association.
siasm and praise for the genius of his new
brother in the world of American impress
sionism. Charles Francis Browne, who
calls himself a conservative painter to dis
tinguish his manner from the radical i'm
presSionism of the day. was of the party,
and instant to commend the canvases of the
Indianapolis group. Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Gar
land, foremost among the appreciative men
who brought Steele and his associates to
ed the visitors to the Indiana artist and as
sisted him in keeping up a conversation,
for Mr.. Steele is retiring and somewhat un-
comfortable under praise. Toward night,
having heard an amending series of lauda-
tory comments all day long, he began to
be enough at ease to say a few words about
OF Fart. art. Steele &c somswbat mora than forty
features bears a remarkable likeness to Du
Maurier, the English artist-author. In man.
ner he is modest, cordial and sincere, and
quite free OF common affectations
We are greatly gratifed over the warm
reception of our pictures in Chicago said
Mr.. Steele. 1t was somewhat of a surprise
to us, too, for the same exhibition caused
very little comment in Indianapolis In fact,
the newspapers hardly mentioned the exhi-
70 see it. But in Chicago we have received
very f1attering attention and praise. 1t ap-
pears that picture lovers are beginning to
like the impressionfStic manner and to
derstand it. 1t is true that the usual
standard of popular approval Is shown by
have made little Roadway, suppose, for we
have sold few of the landscapes and all
of us make living in other lnes-at por,
of the interest shown over the exhibition
here we felt that perhaps sentiment was
more than We had supposed in our rather
isolated position. We are greatly pleased.
1T may seem strange, but the fact IS that
was very much surprised when l found
the impressionistic works Before that
had been working along with Forsyth
nature as it impressed me. faithfully ' p and
with feeling, but thinking very little about
manner or anything else. A word or two
about my idea Of art The artist, it seems
to me, should endeavor TO convey in his
work accurate ideas of his impressions of
nature. Of course, his Impressions will vary
from others impressions, just as his tenn
permanent varies from theirs, but il he sue
ceedS in showing what he saw in his partic-
ular mood he is successful. Harmony and
the other elements of a work of art are, of
course, instructive with the true artist, and
| find expires sion unconscicusly. l would hard
| ly say that the production of harmony
should be the end of a picture, as harmony
| Is an essential OF art.
Forsyth and / were in Munich together
nine years ago. When we returned we
| worked together in Indianapolis for awhile
| Gruelle had the same ideas that we had and
| naturally we fell into style. For nine
years we have kept at it without any appar-
ent encouragement until lately. Though to-
| gether. i think We have maintained our in
dividualities. Forsyth's work has distinct
| personal element. I think ne paints splen-
| didly His Reflection" fairly sings" Stark,
| wholly self-taught and somewhat defective
in color, but he is overcoming that fault
His sentiment is fine and he has good dra-
| matte faculty. SO i expect him to become a
/ first-rate painter.
| AFTER all that is said there is, it seems
to me. very little realism, in art Every
| painters work is tinged with his own tenn
/ permanent and for that reason is not strict
/ ly realistic. Some persons complain that
/ they cannot find colors in nature as high
| keyed as those they see In our pictures
/ Well, can only say that i have no colors
on my palette brilliant those which
| see in nature. 1t is strange that color
escapes the eye as ii does
| Several wealthy art lovers of Chicago are
| talking of buying examples of the Indiana
school for the Art Institute and for private
| collections"