The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-15
ART EXHIBIT OPENS
New Pictures by Some Of Amer
ica'S Best Artists Shown.
First View to Members Of the Associa-
tiOn-F. v. Dumond's Baptism
of st. john"

The eleventh annual exhibit of pictures
of the Art Association will open TO
the public to-day in the assembly hall
of the Propylaeum. Last evening the
customary first view was given TO
the members of the association and
their friends. The president of the ASSOC
citation, Mrs. May Wright Sewall. assist
ed by about forty members, received the
members. The pictures are arrange this
year as they have been ever since the
Propylaeum hall was chosen for the ex-
hibit. The pictures in oil, which are among
the best of the American artists, and the
foreign artists who are in this country,
are arranged in tiers, and the water colors
and pastels are on frames in the middle of
the room.
The most conspicuous position. on the
north wall opposite the entrance, is given
to f. V. Du Mond's painting. 1.-The Bap-
tism of st. John" The local artists do not
agree about the artistic merits of this.
Some think it good, and others are of the
opinion that it does not satisfy the relig-
ious element in it's ideality. Leslie Cald-
well has several pictures in the collection,
and they are of a widely different charac-
ter. One is of a man lighting a cigar, with
the glow from the light reflected on the
- anu Tic 10 d < f1S", WHILE
unlike other artists sea views. One of the
strongest works is called The Legend of
C-harlemagne." The figure drawing and
fabrics are well nigh perfect, while a whole
story is represented in the small bit of
canvas. Fire Dreams" by Ed A. Bell,
took the second Hallgarten prize at the
National Academy of Design. Mr.. Bell has
taken 81, 100 worth of prizes on the picture,
and still holds the canvas. The picture is
one of the most valuable in the exhibit.
A picture of the impressionist style Is "a
Girl in a Garden" by Charles @. Curran.
1t is in the lavender and yellow tints, and
the reflection of flowers on the girls face
and the transparency Of the dress and hat
material are very fine. With this, as with
all other impressionist pictures, the right
light for the picture and the exact posi-
ton for the visitor must be secured before
the full beauty can be seen. A water color
of a sea view bears a card 'Exempt-mem-
Der of the board of judges" This is con-
sidered so well done that no criticism could
be made. 1t is by j. c.. Nicoll. In marked
contrast to the impressionist school is a
small portrait of a girl which is SO finely
executed that it will bear the closest in
spection. This is by Jared u. Flagg.
west wall. They are by Harry Williamson,
of this city, Burr H. Nichols, e. Mcdowell,
NJ. Colin, n. Rosenberg and j. J, Red /
MY Little Daughter Dorothy" and ii is
exceedingly sweet in character and done
as all of Mr.. Chase's pictures are. Others
who have had favorite pictures in the ex-
hibit other years and are now represented
are Walter Satterlee. Albert Bierstadt, c.
w. Conant, Birge Harrison, Chester Loom
is and w. Hamilton Gibson. Nearly every
one of the local artists have pictures, and
some excellent portraits are shown. MI.
Gruelle has a full-length portrait OF Mrs.
Frank Elanner, winch Is a STUDY Oh the iii
de steele girl, also in its modlsh position
and attire. Mr.: Forsyth has a head of Mr..
syth, while Mr.. 7. c. Steele has a head
Of Miss Janet Payne. Mr.. Mahoney, an
the Bergh monument at Milwaukee, and
who has studied for five years in Rome,
has the design for the Rogers Clark figure
Cuibertson, of Richmond, who is well
known in this city, has sent a clay model
of her father, DIR. Culbertson. 1t is in red
Otto Stark is another city artist He has
the portraits of his three children, ar
The exhibit is rich this year in figures.
There are a few nude figures, but they are
badly set. When the artists aimed at ex-
they should have placed the figures in a
setting wholly unreal is a question, and this
is what two of the artists have done. The
only ideal nude figure is of a boy, and his
body is so thin that IL looks like jelly,
the light seems to shine through 1t. the
pictures are cOnceueu Dy All 10 De the hucSl
ever shown at any one time by the asso-
citation. They We're carefully selected by
Mr.. J. Harrison Mills, who had charge OF
the exhibit two years ago. and are or the
best to be secured. One can get but a cur
sorry glimpse of the pictures, of which there
are over two hundred, at one visit Some
of them will bear a great deal or study
Every taste in art can be satisfied, from
the connoisseur TO Mrs Nouveau Richie,
who selects her pictures to harmonic with
the decoration of her drawing room.
The exhibit will be open a month each
week day, from 10 a. m. to 10 p. m, and on
Sundays it will be open free from ! TO 6
O'Clock. 1t has long been a question with
the members of the Art Association wheth-
err the annual exhibits should be opened
Sunday. Each year the question has been
answered in the negative, but this year
when the motion was put it was carried
almost unanimously, only two dissenting.
In addition to the first view of pictures,
the visitors were treated to light refresh
ments, and the freshness of natures palms
In contrast to the greens OF the pictures
was seen in the musicians balcony, which
was decorated with the palms.