The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-12-12
THE ART GALLERY.
A Chat About d. Howard Hitchcock
and His Pictures.

d't IOoih' WI tho dCihS dtuWdio
Company on Fort street. The mind
is fresh and the room is empty, save
for the reproductions OF nature,
aided 10y artistic fancy that cover
but do not overcrowd the walls, and
the light to review and enjoy them
is then at its best.
After a brief repose, and quiet
cool tempered glance at the collec-
ton, the first thought is that our
Artist is man OF effective versatility,
gradually becoming an artist destin-
ed, for the honor OF Hawaii, TO make
world wide reputation il his future
be as progressive as his part.
This opinion is based not so much
upon the paintings that now adorn
the walls, as upon the giant strides
Mr. Hitchcock has made in his
noble profession since the writer
first met him, over ten years ago, in
Jules Tavernier's studio. Oar old
departed friend took deep interest
in the young artist, and would that
he were alive to-day to see with his
own eyes that his faith in his young
friend had been justified by his acts
and in the great promise for the
future.
Mr.. Hitchcock has evidently tried
several schools OF Art, and different
lines in those schools, and in each
Of which he has not bsen unsuccess-
full. He will soon be strong enough
as he is apt, intelligent and rapid
indefatigable and conscientious
worker, to decide upon his meter,
and wherein lies his special forte
and genius-for he has genius out
side of the common acceptation of
the word. The greatest point in his
favor is that he has an ardent love
for his art, and the weakest one, and
perhaps the rock upon which, unless
he exercises strong control over
himself, he may some day strand, is
an appearance in his work Of over
confidence in himself, but this is
not an unusual trait in young and
rising artists.
In protraiture he is clever and ac-
curate in handling his subjects, as
witness the excellent likeness Of the
late DR.. Trousseau, but we doubt
whether his special gift lies in that
line. AS pleasant pastime, and oc-
casionally as a financial aid, 1t may
come in useful to broaden the mind
and make more faithful the touch
of the brush.
Hitchcock has tho gift OF color
and the art of handling it pleasantly
intelligently, courageously and ef-
fectively, In his several paintings
of the volcanoes, we find that while
in the main he has folloped in the
lead of Tavernier he has boldly ad-
vanced upon it, and brought forth
many new thoughts and suggestions
A thorough study of his subject at
all hours has enabled him to strive
to do full justice to the marvellous
effects which nature, there, in her
widest or calmest moods produces
There is naturalness in his efforts
TO produce the lights and shades,
the atmospheric tones and the
glorious colorings that would be
more than creditable even to an
older man, and which at times to
strangers to the land would seem
exaggerated and fantastic. He has
the romantic thought Of the poet
that pictures nature to the eye of
the onlooker with the impression
that our great mistress OF all that is
lovely desires to give. And yet ex-
cept as practice for the eye and
the hand we don't desire to see
Hitchcock's talents confined by vol
cano subjects. We would rather
send him to Japan to revel in color
ing with Theodore Wores.
His still life is clever and con.
scientious, and shows solid and in
teresting conceptions, but it is only
a bye plav in comparison with lis