The times., 1898-12-04
Hints OF 4ABE ART H0AE
An Indication Of Picture Low
ers' Enterprise.
THE WATER COLOR SHOW.
The Approaching Holiday Exhibi-
ton of Washington Artists-De-
scription of the Miniatures and
MonOtypes Vow Being Displayed
Notes of the Painters.

NOttS Oh the IuihtcFh.
The artistic cauldron is beginning to
warm up. Big bubbles already appear,
and on their shining surface one gets
hints of things to come. In the picture
mirrored on one particularly bright bub-
BILE may be seen painted. in rainbow col
ors, "a dream of the Washington Art
Guild-a handsome clubhouse that shall
have. besides IL gallery for exhibitions,
all the appointments of a well equipped
art club, after the manner of that in
Boston and that other fine one in Phiia-
delphia. 1t will be a national rendez-
vous for artists fron everywhere, and
neither New York nor any other large
city will be envious. for this club will be
more than local; it will be an art club
that shall be the pride of Boston, New
York and Philadelphia as well as Wash
ington.
Some very clear heads are close to-
gether. and there is significant whisper
ing. As Mark Twain said to the judge
when the latter acknowledged that he
had not noticed anything going on be-
tween his daughter and Twain, Watch
close and you WILL That is all to be
said now to those who are really inter-
ested in Washington art and welcome
anything that looks like progress in the
development OF the city. Keep an eye on
the Society of Washington Artists, for
they will make history this Winter. un-
less all signs fail.
Following the water-color exhibition,
which is to be continued through next
week, there will be inaugurated by the
Society of Washington Artists n general
exhibition of pictures by members of the
society only. This will be free exhibit
tion. and will continue through the holi-
days. A member of the society will have
the matter in charge and remain at the
gallery during the exhibition to receive
the friends of local art and do the honors
for the association.
The sort of a general exhibition place.
where work could be, shown in good
light and where 5he-artists could send
their friends to see it has long been the
hope of artists here, The action taken
has been cordiallN hbbroved by the fra
ternity. and 1t is expected that this free
exhibition will become pleasant meeting
place for lovers of pictures.
A jury was aPDoiftted to pass upon
the work submitted. Framed pictures in
any medium are pailed for. and the art
lists are requested TO send their pictures
promptly on Decembfr l2. Those most
punctual will be first placed on the walls.
Those that come late must content them
selves with such unoccupied space as re-
mains.
Artist Max WeyI Returns.
Most of the local artists have returned.
Max weyl, the veteran -landscapist, is
back in his studtosjn che Barbizon Build
ing. His stay up in Bath County, Va,
was longer than usual for him. His
health has greatly improved. which will
be good news to his wide circle of
friends; and it is wide. Although his
patronage has been good and Washing
ton has stood well by him, the public
should still take a deeper interest in his
work He is one of the men whose pic
lures have done something to make
Washington art respected in New York
and Boston. He is home product. Had
he lived in New York, he would have
been a leader there and made much
wider reputation. AS il is, his real value
realize on it. Once dead Washington
citizens viii awaken to a realization of
his place in American art
1t is regretted that Walter Paris. who
was well represented last year, returned
to his city studio too late to send any
thing to the third annual exhibition of
the Washington Water Club. now at
tracing much attention.
The display of miniatures at the Water
Isc1. I.~.-f,fI fI.Nyf IN ,Y,t faru iE
remarkably interesting collection, COM
prising some nine exhibits by three diff
ferent painters who work exclusively in
miniature. 1t must be gratifying to the
friends of this branch of painting TO see
how artistic and high-ciass are these ex'
amples of local work There is not a
weak, faltering picture in the lot. Vary
ing. as they do, SO slightly in artistic
quality and excellence, it becomes diff
ficuit matter to make comparisons. One
seldom finds a collection OF miniatures so
full of one charm or another. They alone
are well worth visit TO the gallery If
but to see what beauty and artistic pos
sibilities lie in this dainty microscopic
art
No. 3S, the favorite example, by Miss
Bartle, who exhibits-six of the nine min
iatures, is a portrait of a lady in a
black dress and Gainsborough hat. The
background is also dark and the flesh
most realistically treated, rich and lovely
in color. stands out with wonderful ef-
feet One fancies that. enlarged it
might have all the sweetness and deli
cacy of good Chartran, 1t is so real, so
unconventional The fault, by the way.
of most miniatures is a deadly conven-
tional prettiness.
Another of Miss Barriers miniatures in
crimson frame, is conventional, but
well done, barring a red American Beauty
rose. which is quite as bad as one knows
1t in most miniatures. This is the rock
that seems to wreck miniature painters.
Why should it? cWhyi not cease doing
roses from poor meihory with the in
variable result that they look like rank
tissue-paper blossoms9 with leaves of
livid. poisonous green? Why will minia-
ture painters persist nj this glaring cru
dity? There is nosiaW against getting
rose with its handsome harmonious green
nd a;,,,i 49,,