Evening star., 1895-11-02
THE PORTRAIT EXHIBITION
An Autumnal Social Parade in the Me-
tropolis.
The Future Duchess of Marlborough
and Her POrtrait-SOmc Hand
some Costumes.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

NEW YORK, October 30, 1895.
Today at the grand opening of the por-
trait exhibition it seemed as if every men,
ber Of society now in town put in an ap-
pearance, and a most splendid one at that.
Even the future Duchess of Marlborough
her portrait was hung.
AS We were a little early for the crowd,
there was some time to put in on the i'm
movable part Of the show. which later
really fell into the background To tell
the truth, was somewhat disappointed in
the portraits as a general thing. People
were, to my idea, not made to be painted
with the primary colors laid on by a shovel,
but with some attempt at reproducing
flesh and blood. One unfortunate damsel
was really nothing but an enormous oasis
CT glass green in very small desert of
pale and sickly yellow white; all resting to
the eyes, 1 grant: but who wants to rest
the eyes at portrait show?
The Future Duchess.
The south gallery came out way ahead
Of the others in interest, as the crowds
showed There, of course, was "1OS-Miss
Consuelo Vanderbilt, by Carolus Duran"
really charming painting. in a costume
that never will be out of date. The future
duchess is stepping forward, with long
stick in one hand. her head uncovered, and
wears a loose morning gown affair of
white gauze, slightly open in the neck, and
all edged with pink. The trailing end of
the gauze falls over the outstretched arm
which holds the stick. The only unfortu-
nate part of the whole affair is that the
fair heiress rather japanese style of
beauty is accentuated both by the puffy ar
rangement of the hair and by the artists
way of treating the face. Still, it is
faithful likeness. as l discovered when my
companion whispered Here she is" and
l turned square on the originals of those
sleepy, haunting eyes. Well, at this mo-
ment, after long and painful thinking on
the subject, l cannot tell whether she is
pretty or not. To begin with, she is enor-
mously tall, and at the same time so very
slender. and with such a small head, that
one notices it more Her nose is infinitesi-
nal and the least bit turned up. her eyes
the blackest and biggest of their kind;
there is good deal of pink 0he La France
shade) in her cheeks, and her tiny mouth
and short, pointed chin make her face
dwindle down to almost nothing. Still, 1t
is noticeable face, with very sweet.
would rather look like her than like many
a far prettier girl. Then. too, she seemed
overwhelmed by the notice she received,
and would shrink Into the background
whenever it seemed possible.
Beautiful Costumes.
Now for her clothes! After debating, 1
have come to the conclusion that the dress
was of changeable bright blue and black
satin with small figure, but it shimmered
so that it was difficult to tell exactly. The
waist was hidden by a cape of alternate
ruffleS of black velvet and chinchila fur,
the dress skirt was entirely plain but very
full at the edge and her hat a rather large
one of pale gray felt, trimmed with black
feathers. Her wedding dress, by the way,
is not to be from abroad. but is being made
by a New York dress maker as are several
of the costumes in her trousseau and some
Df the bridesmaids gowns.
Mrs. Vanderbilt who is not pretty and
very small, was dressed all in black satin,
with a chiffon cape and bright red in her
hat. All stories of reconciliation are con-
sidered without foundation.
Near Miss Vanderbilts picture was very
handsome one of Mrs. Hoffman and some
charming children's portraits. while the
gem of the long side of the room was Gov.
Morton, by Bornet. Close by him was Mrs.
George Gould. dressed in black and white
her dazzling shoulders much exhibited and
wearing rig black hat. There is fine
portrait, too, of Mrs. Jacob Wendell, whose
Youngest son last spring married Miss
FendaI In Washington.
Other charming pictures are Miss Edith
Shepard, by Porter; two OF the Cuttings,
by Bonnet dt seemed as If wherever 1 look
ed 1 saw a bearded Cutting) and little
Ruth Twombly, Miss Vanderbilt's cousin
an ideal in white. with a pink sash. By the
way, l later saw the Duchess of Marlbor-
a
strikingly handsome girl, wearing navy
blue silk with enormous bright pink flowers
On 1t. Her hat was very remarkable. I'M
agine white lace scarf tied about her
head, as II she had a headache, making an
enormous bow at the back. and surmounted
by black velvet Tam O'Shanter with tips
in 1t.
Willie 1 was watching them the orches-
ira struck up the Toreador's song and be-
ginning again with my catalogue what
should I see but Calve as Carmen" the
very essence of Spanish coquetry and fasci
nation fixed on one small square of can
vas by Theobald Chartrau. AS 1 removed
my eyes from the enchanting Carmen, in
graceful although rather scanty drapery,
I was afflicted by the sight of an undoubt-
edly real Paris gown, which I wouldn't
have taken a present. Judge for your
self; would you? The waist, with jacket
fronts and long tails in the back, was of
black silk, covered with dead brown leaves
that kind Of thing seems awfully fashion
able); the skirt was reddish old rose
silk, quite brilliant, and the full vest and
collar of baby blue chiffon, of which COM
| bination, worn by one no longer young,
judge for yourself, as I said before.
The Brice Family Portrait.
This letter. meant for Washington, must
| not close without an account of the por-
| trait Of the Brice family, which, to tell the
| truth, do not much like, although the like
nesses are excellent. Mrs. Brice is seated,
| dressed in black; on her right hand her
| daughter Kate, in gray, facing the room,
| while on the left is Miss Helen Brice her
charming profile standing out clearly, her
hand on her mothers shoulder and her
| yellowish white satin dress partially COW
| cred by a dark red cape. They almost
speak, for Duran always does well, but one
wishes somehow that one daughter could
| have broken the monotoEy by sitting some
| where instead of being one of the two pill
lars each side of the mother. Still, the rest
| of the world may admire it. K M