Omaha daily bee., 1898-09-08
{ ART At THE EXPOSITION

The Art Institute OF Chicago is the only
school of art that has sent an exhibition Of
its pupils work to our exposition This is
placed upstairs in the south gallery OF the
Liberal Arts building and is very interest
ing to the student, to the connoisseur and
TO those who care to what the youth OF
the west are doing in different fields OF art
study. The arch which forms an entrance
to the booth containing the exhibit is an
original design in the Moorish style, by
Miss Helen Putnam. She has caught the
rich decorative effect the intermingling Of
geonetrical figures and the delicate tracing
Of the real arabesque design. Within the
two booths one finds excellent studies in
charcoal, oil and waterColor from life and
still life, as well as studies in architectural
and practical designs. illustrating the diff
ferent branches of art taught at the Art In
stitute There is a study from life in oil
Of a negro girl by John C. Johansen, which
is exceedingly well done. A study of an old
woman reading and another of man stand
! ing-an academy-by Karl Buehr, show
! careful conscientious work and skill in
manipulation. \ seated female figure from
| life and a portrait OF a picturesque girl
| in a large black hat. by Miss Pauline Pal
mer and a study by Mrs Schoenfeld are
well drawn and carefully painted. There
| are pictures over in the art gallery which
/ are no better than many Of these studies.
Among the charcoal drawings from life
there is one in outline, full of strength
and character by one OF our Omaha boys
/ MIR Clarke G. Powell. He has done what
| is difficult TO do-represeuted the action
in mere outline without exaGgeration.
There are two decorative designs OF The
ory Practice and History, which are com
! posed with thought and an artistic feeling
for line; some interesting compositions by
Miss McLane, Miss Eaton and Miss Sil-
| veira and two plaster casts to indicate what
the classes are doing in modelling. There
are designs for wall paper, for book COW
ers, lace, posters, rugs, etc, all Of which
give Us a slight idea of the work going
on near US ana whose far-reaching infu-
ence We hora will unConsciously change
out Occidental taste to a desire for more
harmonious household decorations, more
artistic textile fabrics. as well as give us
a more refined understanding of pictures.
Several of the instructors Of the AIT in,
stitute are represented by their work in the
Art building. Frederick W. Freer has q
picture called The Young Mother ''-lg9-
which hangs in the east IOtunda. The
mother, dressed in a pale green gown
stands in natural, fitting attitude, hold
ing her little baby pressed lovingly aGains
her cheek. The composition is very grace
full and full of tender sentiment and tn,
color scheme is soft and harmonious, l
| is somewhat morotorOus, however, as Their
is not the contrast between the face of tn
child and of the mother that one woul,
expect. Both are painted with the sam
coioring and the same technique. Tn
-.
experience reflected from their depths tha1
3 have the babys; the skin Of each is th
? same in texture and in color and there
t certain affectation of slanung brus
5 strokes-perhaps 10 soften and lose the out
t line or perhaps to suggest the looseness c
! a pastel which gives one the impression c
S a fad variation OF the same theme
,. seen in a small picture-l9S-repTes
a the young mother playing with the chill
q on her knee II is pretty and attractiy
? and domestic The artist has introduce
9 into the background a peep OF summe
i through the stats OF the old-fashioned win
n dow shutter, In the south room OF II
I Illinois State building is another pictuI
d by Mr.. Freer in his same style, thoug
quite different in subiect-even II the gree
n dress is identicar-callei Consolation"
a faiT-haired maiden leans over the back
n tndlI 10 tOusOlt lnt suUtElnE NOMd
A who is seated looking out with wide hop,
less eyes at the spectator. The backgrouu
. is a sombre landsCaTe effect, which SUI
A gests rare old tapestry; the harmony
;, color is effective, the composition is vel
- good the story is well told. Judging VI
y Freers work from these examples. ! shou
say his pictures please rather because tht
- are pretty in color and attractive in sui
ject and in sentiment than because tn,
), are strong in character or forceful in trea
ment
" Miss Pauline Dohn another instructor
y the Art Institute, has two very in'erestlI
-, pictures here. Oue-No, l69-represeuts
=. young country girl sitting outdoors readinl
patches OF sunlight fall upon the grass, II
path, the side Of the house and the girl he
self. The subject is simple but 1t is full
the light Of the open air and painted wit