Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-05
The Famous Collection Of Paintings
Kept in America.
SPLENDID EXAMPLES OF FORTUEY
Bidding Was Spirited and the Pic
lures Brought a Fortune.
NOTABLY GOOD CANVASEs
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


heirs of the Stewart estate to order the
dispersion in this country of the remark
able collection of paintings over which the
connoisseurs have this week displayed al
most boundless enthusiasm. The Ameri-
can Art Association galleries have been
crowded by the multi-millionaires, fash
icnable women, long-haired and short-hair-
ed critics, the hypercritical and hypocriti-
cal know-it-all cognoscenti, and last but
not least, by those who came for arts sake
alone. When the sale closed last night the
curtain fell over one Of the great art sales
of our epoch.
This famous collection was made by Mr..
William H. Stewart, the father of the art
list, Julius L. Stewart, known for his Hunt
BALI and other brilliant canvases. The
elder Stewart, native of Philadelphia,
made large fortune in the Cuban sugar
trade. When he retired he went to Paris
to live, where he became the friend of
many noted artists, and was celebrated for
his liberality art patron. The cata-
logues of the collection form a souvenir
well worth having. But 325 were printed
and the price was $50. 1t consists of two
volumes, giving a sketch Of every picture
and of the artist, and excellent photograv-
TRES of the paintings. The; pictures were
on exhibition in the galleries of the Ameri-
can Art Association. but the sale took place
in Chickerirg Hall, which was crowded to
overlooking both nights The amount
realized is the magnificent sum of s491 1885
for l2S paintings.
III Detail.
1t being impossible to give a full criti-
cal review, I will speak only Of the most
important examples. Starting with those
Canvases which we're surrounded by the
largest number Of people and most adj
mired. Fortuny's Choice of a Model"
which stands No. ia On the catalogue, is
naturally the first to be mentioned. 1t was
bought by Mr.. w. A. Clark, the Montana
millionaire. for s42, 600, George Gould being
the leading bidder against him. In an
deliberately decorated and sumptuousiy
furnished apartment of the Palazzo Co
lcnna, in Rome, number of members of
the Academy of ST. Luke, at the most
luxurious period of last century, are as
sembied to criticise a nude female model
who is posing before them in an attitude
of studied grace The ultra-fashionable
costumes of the men and their pompous
and artificial manners. no less than the
wonderful richness and elegance of their
surroundings, indicate to what extent
the study of art was at this period INDUCED
in as a fashionable accomplishment The
subject has given Fortuny the hest possible
opportunity for the exercise of his unique
skill in the treatment of rich draperies,
fine metal work, choice marbles and all
the glitter and splendor of precious OBJ
jects of art with which the prirceiy apart
E.ent is filled to Overlooking. The painting
IS carefully elaborated, and while it does
not impress with sublime greatness it
pieases by nicely rather than vital force
and does not reach the vigor of 119, THE
Antiquary,' by the same artist.
A Famous One.
The latter shows room Uttered with
biblios, bric-a-brac and articles of virtu,
amid which sits an enthusiastic amateur,
with a portfolio on his lap. admiring a rare
engraving. In trent of him, on a carved
chair, is folio of prints. Behind the an
tiquary friend leans over his chair and
glances at the engraving which is being
admired by the amateur. On a rich rug
that nearly covers the floor is an elabo-
rately carved treasure chest, on which are
placed specimens of Venetian glass and
other objects; handsome large red vase
stands on the mantel, and a cockatoo is
perched on bar in the foreground while
at the extreme right man carrying a
portfolio stops In front of deliberately
carved table. A suit of japanese armor
stands near the left canter, and the walls
of the room are hung with rich tapestries
In a gorgeous Florentine frame, hanging
above carved white marble fireplace is a
painting OF a knight in armor, a likeness
of Mr.. Stewart, which was introduced I'M
der tine following circumstances: Mr.
Stewart had been in possession of this
work for some time when Fortuny made
trip to Paris, and while there called his
patron. In chatting with him, Mrs. Stew
j
good portrait of her husband Fortuny
did not answer, but little later he went
up to THE Antiquary," and, with certain
appearance of embarrassment. declared
that the background needed retouching.
The Artists Surprise.
An artists fancy, they thought. Mr.. Stew
art wss one of those men who refused
nothing, and Fortuny was one Of those to
whom everything was granted, and on his
6e ma q carried Dfcflrra
After few days, when it was returned to
the owner, it had in fact been subjected to
change. Thu artist had introduced in
the background capital portrait of his
friend. which, in its old frame. thoroughly
harmoniZed with the original composition
of the picture This painting shows Fortuny
in his prime, and also teaches more about
his technique and enthusiasm than any
painting since the famous .Connoisssur''
of Mrs. Morgan'S collection. Herman
Schaus got this canvas for SIS, 200.
No. 121, The Arab Butcher" has su-
perb scheme Of color, but is repulsive as
as the artist in the catalogue does, is
matter Of taste, which cannot be discussed.
No. 122, Van Marckes Cows in the VAL
ley" is masterfully painted cattle piece,
Leibrs Village Politicians" is great
realistic painting of tiresofne subject
No. 125 Vcllon's Monkey and Fruit" is
very decorative example of stal life. with
a background carelessly handled, and shows
some loose sheets of paper'rather chalkily
done. No. III is Troyon's Cow Among
the Cabbages.' It is badly named Cab
bages Among the Cow" would be better:
the Corcoran Art Gallery Troyon is in
every way superior to 1T.
/ It may just as well be said here and now
that the Barbizon school Is not strongly
represented, as none of the examples of the
masters of 1880 is above the middle class.
No. 112, Meissonier's "Strrup Cup" Is
simply admirable.
The Ricos of the collection are fairly
good examples of this prolific master. No.
1O7. Nittis' Route from Brindisi to Bar
tetta," is one OF the most sunny and at
mospheric little landscapes Of the collec-
ton and pleasing painting to live with.
Other Pictures.
Baudry's nudes. the only ones in the
collection, are fine as to color and flesh
painting, but not strong in drawing. No.
101. zaEnacois' "Checkmated." IL powerful
in color. brilliant in technique and full
Of southern fire. The drawing seems not
academic