Evening star., 1898-07-30
AR T AN % ARTIST S.

Mr.. Harold L. Macdonald is putting the
finishing touches upon a half-length por-
trait of Justice Mckenna, and the canvas
Is now almost ready to leave his studio.
In view of the fact that the portrait is for
the Department of Justice, he has painted
his subject in civilians attire and not in
the robes of office. Justice Mckenna is
shown standing erect, holding in one hand
a book the place marked with his finger
and holding in the other hand the glasses
that he has apparently just removed. The
pose is not as rev and original as some
with which the artist has occasionally sur
prised the public, but 1t is far from being
conventional, and expresses alertneSs and
energy. The expression of the face is thor
oughly characteristic. and Mr.. Macdonald
has given it a look of dignity and repose
without, however, sacrificing the humorous
twinkle of the eyes. which Is essential to
true likeness of Justice McKenna. The
coloring in this work is fully up to the high
standard that the painter has set for him
SELF IN previous canvases the flesh tints
being remarkably true and the general ef-
feet rich and harmonious. Mr.. Macdonald
mas done more striking portraits buE ne
mas not produced any work that reveals
more clearly his ability to handle a portrait
and non-essential details.
Mr.. Walter Paris is sr lending the summer
AT Ipswich, Mass, which, like Annlsquam,
Is drawing away many of the artists who
have frequented Gloucester in past years,
but who are deserting it for less fashion
able localities. Mr.. Paris will not be able
to find there to any extent the architectural
trnl ,nrf Of h,NI h,.
hibits his greatest skill. but the variety
and profusion OF other good motives ought
to console MIN very quickly. Perhaps the
best pictorial material is to be found in the
salt marshes, and it is this feature of the
landscape that has made Ipswich such
favorfte resort for artists.
Mr.. Howard Helmick has a number of
pictures under way and one of these, a
water color depicting one of the Irish
scenes which he paints with so much SYM
pathy and skill, is approaching a state of
completion. The picture shows a bare
footed peasant maiden, who has set down
her basket in the middle of the road, dane
ing merriiy to the music of a wayfarlng
minstrel. Mr.. Helmick has painted a simi-
lar subject before, though in this new work
he has introduced an entirely different
position very materially, The figure of the
strolilng musician, who is crouched on q
stone at the roadside, is unusually iuter-
esting, and there is excellent study of ex-
preston in his wrinkled weather-beaten
face. Mr.. Helmick's usual delicacy of color
appears to peculiarly good advantage in
outdoor subjects, and the fine air qualities
or this work are noteworthy, especially
considering the fact that the picture has
beeen produced entirely in the studio with
previously painted studies as the only
guide.
Miss Marie Mattingly is spending the
summer, as she has spent previous seasons,
at Magnolia, one of the prettiest places
along the rock-bound coast of the north
shore of Massachusetts. Miss Mattingiy
plans to do little or no painting, and Will
give herself up to rest and recreation.
Word comes from Italy that Mr. Trenta-
move is again at work In his Florentine
studio, where he will be busy until his re-
turn to this country in the fall. A task
that will take a good share of his time is
the modelling Of the bas reliefs for the
pedestal of his statue Of Daniel Webster
to be erected here in Washington A part
Of the sculptors time will be given to the
bust of the late Mr.. William L. Scott,
which he is modelling for his daughter,
Mrs. Richard Townsend of this city and
likeness of Mr.. Hartley, a well-known
western mine owner, will help TO keep him
ousy during the summer Mr.. Trentanove
took the striking busts, which he made
here of William Jennings Bryan and Gen.
Fftzhugh Lee, over to Italy when he sail
ed and though exact information on that
point is wanting they will either be cast in
bronze or cut in marble.
X X
Mr.. Paul PutZki expects to leave very
soon for Boston, where he will visit for a
time with friends. After that his plans are
rather indefinite, but when he bids good
by to the Hub he has some thought of TAX
ing trip up to Nova Scotia, or even far
ther north. He will take this summer
trip largely for the benefit of his health.
but he hopes to bring back some interest
ing sketches to show for his vacation.
Il X
Mr.. A. G. Randall, one of the younger
members Of the artistic fraternity, has
gone to New York, not merely for a sum
mer sojourn, but with the intention of To-
eating there permanently. Mr.. Raudalls
name has appeared frequently in the cat
alogues OF the local exhibitions, and his
studies in black and white have met with
deserved appreciation. He is not studying
to be professional artist, however, but is
endeavoring to perfect his knowledge in
all the branches which will be of value TO
him as an art teacher. 1t was the greater
opportunities which the metropolis offered
him for study along the lines which he
wished to follow up that induced him to
remove TO New York.
*
One Of the best things that Miss Daisy
Firg has done this summer is the graceful
nude figure Of a woodland elf as 1t is mod
eled with lightness and delicacy that
lend charm to such an imaginative subject
The figure is modelled in the round. and
following the style which Rodin has en-
ployed SO many times, emerges partly
from ths clay behind, without being en-
tirely detached from it. 1t has therefore,
a good deal the same appearance as a very
high relief. and Is perhaps even more ef-
feotive than an entirely Isolated figure
would be. In the times when she has not
been busy with the large group that has
been occupying her attention for SO many
months. Miss King has modelled number
Of small heads, which, while unpretentious
In their way, show a very skillful hand.
Mr.. H. B. Bradford left the city early in