The Mankato free press., 1894-10-19
COMMUNICATED.
EDITOR FREE PRESS:


doing for this city. 1t is well worn
statement that art and music have
done more to civiliZe the world than
all the sermons ever preached. 1t is
to be regretted that Mr.. O'Keeffe
could mot have secured few of his
best examples of work for this eX-
hibit. He has several fine original
canvasses in the state. notably five
owned by Minneapolis parties.
Doubtless the expense of getting
them here, and no protection what
ever against fire, decided Mr.. O'Keeffe
to forego the pleasure it would have
afforded our citizens to have seen
some of his original work.
1t is not my wish to take up your
valuable space with comments upon
the pupil work of this accomplished
artist. That ground was fully covered
by your reporter yesterday. But L
would like to call especial attention to
a few specimens of O'Keeffe's own
handiwork shown in this, our first
exhibition.
Perhaps the first in Importance
from an artists standpoint, would be
Natures Mission," owned by Mr..
Saulpaugh; but it certainly does not
appeal to the passing critic as does the
''Return of the Mayf1ower" owned by
Mrs. G. J. Klein. This is large can
vass, with broad eXpanse of limitless
sea reaching far out to meet the riS-
ing sun. In the distance the return
ing ship with it's argosy of hope, love,
death and sorrow, perhaps all of these,
drifting slowly toward the anxious
watcher on the shingled shore. The
scraggy coast, the deep lowry atmos-
phere, the broad expanse of dream
waste, tell the pathetic story of these
early settlers too plainly.
Taking long step from the sub
lime to the ridiculous, we come upon
an old pleasant Face" or the ''Quiet
owned by J. G. Roller. This
is a very fine example of light and
shade effects: an old man in the act of
lighting his pipe. The strong reflection
of the lighted match falls upon his
old, worn, homely face, and brings in
to strong relief the hard, knotty hands
Of this toiler of the sea-or earth as
the case may be.
Another patient old face is shown in
the Brittany Peasant, owned by L.
p. Hunt. The care, hunger and worry
of his cramped and narrow life have
in the cloud of tobacco
smoke that envelops him. 1t is a
strong canvass much admired The
''Old Rug Mender' is another quaint
owned by Mr.. Hunt.
These two last paintings belong to
the new school of which SO many
beautiful samples were shown at the
Worlds fair, and which were SO pro-
fusely medaled. Both are sketchy
bits well handled and attract much
Forgotten" spoken of by your re-
porter, is a rare Renaissance of the
late war. A beautiful war horse in
all the glory OF military trappings,
lies wounded on the field of battle.
The story told by this simple scene is
pathetic in the extreme. The central
igure is attractive despite it's pathos,
the accoutrements correct and the
IN semble historic. The painting is
owned by DR.. Andrews.
The seed sown by the fine arts dis
played at the Worlds fair have taken
root even in this little hamlet, and the
fruit is already ripening. Two of the
Mrs. DIR. Andrews and Mrs.
Frank Brewer, show copies of cele,
orated paintings hung in that large
and notable exhibition.
The former has taken a painting by
Thos. Allen called, Coming Through
5he Wood" hung in the United States
section, which was considered one of
the best light and shade effects in the
gallery. 1t shows drove of cows
coming along road through dense
wood. The light is produced by the
strong rays of sunlight striking
the waving foliage.
The other is not, strictly speaking,
4 copy, but perhaps Renaissance of
Jhe Santa Maria in storm, shown in
jhe Russian section by Ainazovosky, l
think. Both copies possess good points,
and if every person carried away the
recollection of just one picture, the
'air was not in vain.
Trusting that the people of this
,ity will avail themselves of the op-
afforded by this little exhi-
oition to become familiar with the
work of our home talent, and thus
encourage and make possible at some
uture day larger and better loan
exhibit, | am respectfully yours,
A DILETTAN
The Mankato Malt & Grain Com
)any are paying the highest cash prices
or horlpu Ha1iuppaH of thnip n,o1t |