The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-10

annual exposition OF the Boston Art
Club. The members OF the Providence
Art League met him very cordially and
In the stud les that he regularly presented
them they recognized a decided addition
to the class OF painters locsted there
devoted TO tho French school as illustrat-
cd by Bougu ereau.
Having found q greater demand for
landscapes than figure pieces, he studied
the Narragansctt coast indefatigably,
meeting with most iattering success, IL d
ready market can be deemed such. His
most noted effort was "Under the Oaks"
which received the first award medal at
the Centennial, Philadelphia, 1875. 1t was
with many misgivings that he cent II TO
the art committee, like hundreds OF other
ambitious artists with nothin. but his
simple signature attached. For many
days he waited In fevsrish anxiety rs to
the result. AS II was not rejected, his
spirits rose appreciably. "No news is
good news" he argued, and so time
passed until the opening of the art gal
iery. Tremblingly..he secured q catalogue,
and soon found "Bannister-"Unde the
Oaks (b4D." lie was so glad that he sat
down and thought of his boyho dreams
and wished that he might see again the
well-remem bered sunsets. Like one in a
dream, he threaded his way through the
thronging crowds, and stood before his
effort, his heart bounding with JOY. IL
was hung in the most favorable place.
In his own modest way he tells an inter
esting incident as TO how the jury OF
awards discovered that he was an Afro
American.
81 learned from the newspapers" said
he "that '5P had received. a frat prize
gold medal, so I hurried TO the co mmit.
tee rooms to make sure that he report
was true. There wss great crowd there
ahead OF me. AS 1 jostled among them
many resented my presence, some nctu-
ally commenting within my hearing In
most petulant manner, What Is that
coiored person In here for? and similar
discourteous remarks. Finally, when 1
succeeded in reaching the desk where in
quiries were made, endeavored to gain
the attention of the official in charge. lie
was very iusolent. Without raising his
eyes, he demanded In the most exssper-
ating tone of voice, Well, what do you
want hare, snyways Speak lively
"I want to inquire concerning '54.'
ID IL q prIzs winner?'
What's that to your
"In an instant my blood was up; the
deprecstory looks that passed between
him ana others in the room were unnis.
taxable. i was not an artist to them:
was simply an inqvisitive colored man.
His manner suggested q nature SO small
and petty that could not bring myself
to bis level. Besides, the thought flashed
through my uiId, Why give this man
chance to express mis- prejudice? So,
controlling myself, said deliberately:
Il am Interested in the report that Gun
der the Oak" has received prize; /
painted the picture
San explosion could not have made a
more marked impression. Without besi-
tation he apoiogized, and soon every one
in the room was bowing and scr1ping to
me. Mr.. Duff of Boston purchased the
picture for $500
Since that time Mr.. Bann lister has la
bored very industriou.ly, exhibiting
each year in Boston and Providence,
making a comfortable income. A few
years ago he PURCHASED fine sailing
yacht and sll his leisure hours we're
spent sailing around Newport and adm.
cent points for pleasure. He is naturally
fond OF the sea, ana is as thoroughly at
hon far la
cent attack OF the grip makes the en-
joyment doubtful benefit, uucn to bis
regret.
Up to the present time his figure pieces
have been almost entirely scriptural.
Four of his best com positious in tbis line
have been purchased by one OF theRomsn
Catholic churches OF Providence. at odd
intervals he has devoted considerable
time 10 an original conception OF the
invitation. "Come unto mc ell We that
aro weary and heavv laden" He hopes to
msKe.it the crowning work OF his life.
Mr.. Bannister's studio Is very pleas
antly situated in large building, almost
entirely occupied by artists. there is
nothing about IL to suggest the Afro
American except the painter himself and
q portrait or his VIE.
Mrs. Bannister Is a woman II note. Be-
fore her marriage she was known as Mms
Csrteaux to Bosi on's 1900" and was one
OF tie Hubs most successful hair dressers.
Her hair oils, cosmetics, snd perfumes
are made according to her own formulas.
Her history is very interesting. She is
descended from q noted Narragansett
chief. Her face and figure might be taken
as the primitive type OF Indian. She is
very tall and stately, with large, we'll
poised head, crowned with long, lux
uriant black hair, which she arranges in
7 laits around her head In way that is
becoming, and also emphasizes in very
marked degree her Indian personality.
Her voice is low; her thoughts are ex-
pressed with great direct ness. Five years
ago she interested the wealthy white
ladirs OF Providence I'm the efforts of a |
few Afro-American women to esta blish n |