The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-06-21
D. HOWARD HITCHCOCK. {
srtINnID WORK Ur ~ IsIANp
ARTIST


d. Howard llitchcock's work at the
Art League exhibition is receiving much
attention. This might have been on
account of his connection with the ISL
ands alone, but it is really on account
of the remarkable manner ia which he
has fought his way 10 the front indie
pendent OF any interest his nativity
would naturally give him among Hawa-
iian people.
Before Mr. Hitchcock left Honolulu
he had already given signs OF promise
under the tuition of Jules Tavernier.
His work, however, lacked Just that
which a student--who is a true artist
will develop under the ordeal OF strict
technical training. 1t is when man
comes out OF this ordeal that he has to
prove himself-whether he is an artist
or not. As the painter Millet says,
cart begins when school ends"
few who are interested in all art
matters have watched the return OF this
young artist with considerable expect
ancy, not to say anxiety. Any doubt
as TO the result, which may have crossed
their minds, has now been entirely dis
PEELED; for Mr.. Hitchcock, by the work
he has done abroad and since his return,
has proved himself to be no longer q
student in the sense that word is gener-
ally used in-but an accomplished artist.
Looking at Mr.. Hitchcocl's work as it
hangs in the Art League exhibition one
is at once struck with the importance
OF the large picture OF the Paris Salon
1888 "The Village By-Road." 1t
seems to overshadow and throw into
insignifcance everything else, and in a
way it does. The place it occupies, by
its size and the prestige OF its history, is
the proper one.
1t is far more than study of land
scape-it is the finished work OF an
artist showing conscious force and a
constrained power. The picture shows
the artist has restrained his power to
effects of softer influences. In other
words, daring to put aside some of the
harder technical laws he has launched
out at once into the ideal. 1t is the
happy meeting OF these contending in
/ huences within a man which produce
the greatest works.
/ No. in the catalogue Spring Time,
! France" is another work which Mr..
Hitchcock brought with him from
abroad. 1t is less pretentious work
and III an entirely different key. This
goes to show the versatility of the man.
The girl sitting on the grass gives life
and value to scene which has very
marked intention; for 1t is clearly bright
sunlight, subdued by the tender atmos
phere of Spring, and is successful ac.
compiishment of what must have been
difficult and ambitious undertaking
A picture successfully worked in so high
a light is an undoubted triumph.
To turn from such work to No. 81
Hillside, France" is but to glance to
one of the same character and yet with
an entirely different feeling. 1t is a
lovely piece of composition. Weird and
desolate is the old dead tree in the midst
of the Spring life about it on the hill
side, giving in its decayed age pecu
liar interest to the scene. This is one
of Mr.. Hitchcok's most forcIble and at
the same time, most tender works.
1t is pleasing to see that Mr.. Hitch
cock has carried the same spirit OF thes,
last two works back to Hawaii mel anC
has given Nos. 90 and 80. "Booganville'
and Tropical Foliage, Hilo" respect
lively the same spirit which controlle,
him in France. To see the tropica
= foliage OF Hawaii portrayed in this en-
tirely new and original manner is YER
pleasing.
; Before leaving Mr.. Hitchcock's worl
there is one other which deserve
special notice, No. %, "Robert." Thi
is "A pastel portrait OF young child, tn
most difficult of all subjects to treat i
portraiture. Here again Mr.. Hitchcoc
E shows his versatility. The scheme {
color throughout the painting is care
fully conceived and makes pleasin
"harmony" as whole, that embodie
an element OF the ideal within its limi
v tations as a portrait. The eXpressio
is most happily caught. Between
p roguish self-contidence and boys
perversity the little fellow is looking OF
at the world with wide open, dark brow
eyes that in the setting OF waxy flies
and flaxen hair is peculiarly striking.
ii it is likeness it must be col
'thred an unqualified success, for til
-'tment is broad and vigorous, at Il
time the child looks young. TIL
rhaps the most difficult undertaken
II artist to accomplish successful
Mr.. Hitchcock has done it and is to
N congratulated with the owners of ii
t picture.
d Hawaii will be further favored il NJ
Hitchcock continues to study her lan'
NJ escape and her race.
a. MARINE NOTES.
Il The Kaala got away this morning.