The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-09
A YOUNG GEORGIA ARTIST.
William f. Kline Winning Fame In
the Foremost Art Circles,

the Foremost Art Circles.
OF the young artists of America none is
now attracting more attention in New
York and elsewhere than Mr.. William F.
Kline, a son of Mr.. 7. D. Kline, general
superintendent of the Central of Georgia
railroad With the present annual autumn
and winter exhibition of the Metropolitan
Museum of Art where several of his
paintings are hung, he is receiving nu-
merous favorable comments from the most
careful critics.
Mr.. Kline is Georgia boy, and his work
will undoubtedly add to Georgia's laurels
in the artistic world. In 1887 Mr.. t. D.
Kline wrote from his home in Southwest
ern Georgia to a friend in Savannah that
he had a son Of IS years who wanted to
be an artist. He was always drawing or
sketching or modelling, and his bent SEEM
ed in that direction. Mr.. Kline hesitated
as to what course to pursue until he could
satisfy himself of the possibilities ahead.
Some examples of the lads work gave
such promise that his future was settled
on-a struggle for honors in the world of
art.
Young Klines path being thus marked
out for him, he took, as is said in the
south, his foot in his hand, and came to
Savannah for a short term of study at the
Telfair academy. There during some
weeks attendance he made careful sketch
es of casts and other studies as examples
to be submitted before entering on his
regular studies in New York, for which
his father was making provision.
With these examples of his work he was
at once admitted to the classes of the
Academy of Design and the art students
league in that city. There his work went
on patiently, and with quiet resolution and
purpose. In his third year he won
scholarship prize of $500, and with that in
his pocket, Paris was his school for some
months-many months, for he
lived close for his art and
made dollars go far. In Paris he
had opportunities of study and work un-
der Bonguerean, the great master of
painting in the nude--also under Courtois
and Girardar. Returning to New York
Kline's studies were resumed and he had
in addition excellent opportunities with
H. Law, in high decorative work.
and with r. D. Millet at Chicago, in the
wonderful art decoration of the white
City"
The Lazarus prize of $24OO for two
years study and travel in Europe next
came on, and for this young Kline was
one of thirteen competitors. He was
awarded the great prize in 1894 by the
unanimous vote of the jury amid the
hearty plaudits of art circles, and the
young painter again betook himself to
Paris for more study.
Mr.. Kline is now In New York, where
he is, perhaps, more talked about to-day
than any of the young artists of the coun-
try. Speaking of Mr.. Khnes work, the
New York Times, which reproduces two
of his pictures in half-tone, LA tennessee
and study of young girl, says:
1.-The paintings and sketches which he
"a hrnngbt show
manship, a fine sense of color, and par
ticularly, rarely good decorative feeling
and spirit. Mr. Kline, after receiving the
prize, proceeded to France. He stopped
at Charities to study the cathedral there,
and one morning, while engaged In sketch
ing some of the exterior sculptures, he
witnessed a procession of girls in white
robes attended by black-gowned nuns, is
suing from the cathedral, where they had
partaken of their first communion. He at
once saw the possibilities of a picture,
and remained at Chartres some time to
paint this The canvas inspired by this
incident will be shown at the museum,
and is remarkably successful, giving a
good idea of Mr.. Kline's abilities"
Harpers Weekly reproduces In half-tone
Mr.. Kline's handsome picture, I'm Time
of Peace" and gives an interesting ac-
count of the young artists life and work.
Speaking of Mr.. Kline's pictures at the
York Tribune says:
"In another room are ten paintings,
covering one the four sides, by William F.
Kline, holder Of the prize scholarship of
the Jacob Lazarus fund in 1895 and 1896.
One of these is First Communion large
piece representing q procession Of young
girls, in white dresses and white wells,
descending the steps leading from the
lofty entrance to church. Another pic
ture in this group Is In Times of Peace
a large decorative piece, representing the
building of temple, with group of fig
ures resting on the carved blocks of stone
In the foreground, listening to the playing
of Tyre by an old man."
This young Georgian's future will sure
" be watched by many admiring friends.
His modesty and retiring disposition are
traits of true genius. In New York, since
his return, artists and art lovers are well
coming him with wide open arms, and
browning him with well-earned palms in
these early stages Of his race for fame
and fortune.