The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-09
ART NOTES.
"Picturcsqu. Porto Rico" at the American
Art Galleries.


"Pioturcsque Porto Rico" at the American
Art Galleries.
An exhibition which will doubtless prove to
be Of great popular interest 10 that entitled
PICTURESQUE Porto Rico" at the American
Art Galleries, Madison Square. IL consists OF
500 large photographs composing series OF
views taken by the Photographic OUTFIT with the
United States Army during 1893 and 1899. and
besides illustrating the scenic beauty OF the
island presents it's social life manners and
customs Of the people and their Industries.
There 10 also a small but interesting collection
OF Spanish and native war rellos. pottery. en-
broidery and fabrics. The collection has been
installed and oataloRued under the direction
OF Capt. Burnes. and will be opened to-day to
the public. the exhibition continuing for two
wseks. The Introduction to the catalogue
gives the following informationi
The success that crowned the efforts Of the photo.
graphic outnt with the army in Porto Rico and made
this exhibition q possibility IA largely due to the
constant encouragement in the face Of what seemed
to be almost insurmountsble difficulties. and the
hearty cooperation and personal aid given to the
work by tho late hajorGen. Guy v. Henry. both
while in command Of the Military District Of Ponce
and throughout his term Of ofnoe as Governor Gen.
eral Of Porto Rico. The pictures represent tho
selection Of the most interesting views from several
thousand negatives made during tho past
twelve months covering every section Of the island
and obtained only after constant labor under
the most trying conditions. privations and much
bodily suffering. and at Q great expense. As the
recent terrific hurricanes have laid waste many OF
the most picturesque features OF this beautiful
island, II will never again DO possibb to obtain
many OF the views now shown. The present
exhibit shows much OF the scenic beauty OF the
isand illustrates the industries porrays the social
life OF the people and shows much Of the work that
our Government 10 doing for the betterment OF the
people The climate Of Porto Rico is extremely hard
on the photographer chemically prepared plates.
while to prevent deterioration of tho sonsitized
paper a. well AZ many Of tho most essential
chemical compounds used In the art. 10 impossible.
The photographs in spite Of the difficulties
inherent In the climate In making them are
very satisfactory. technical considered. and
the range OF subjects 10 wide and diversified.
The pictures are grouped under appropriate
headings with cards on the walls above them
so that Any particular subject may be convent
ently studied. These groups are: Street Views
in tho Principal Cities" In and About the
Governor Generals Palace. San Juan" In
Mayaguez.""A Yauco Wedding" "Homeward
Bound" Some Birds.Eye Views" "whsre the
Soldiers Are CHARTERED" Porto Rican Beau
ties" Good Roads and Bad Ones" Municipal
Halls" AT Coamo Mineral sprines-'Coamo
Baths Celebrated for Centuries" Departed
Heroes. Removal OF Soldiers Remains to the
United States" Public Plazas." The New
Police System" "Round-up OF the Bandits"
IN San Juan. the Capital City OF tho Island"
Native Homes in the Interior" The City
Hospital. Ponce" I'm the City OF Ponce. ""Army
Life In the Topics" United States Vaccine
Station. Coamo Springs. Native Fire Depart
ment. Ponce" Picturesque Gardens OF PrI-
vats Homes" Schools. Past and Present"
int "a ,al
in Tropical Service" Society Girls in Tropi-
cal Gardens" In Foreign Service" United
States Volunteer Engineers at Guanica." Pic
turesaue Homes" Views Along tho Military
Road from Ponce TO San Juan" The Photo
graphic OUTFIT" Coffee Culture" An Amsri-
can Beauty in a Porto Rican Garden" and
Curious Trees" The pictures are far too
numerous to comment on in detail. but the
headings for the groups sufficiently indicate
the general character OF the subjects. II will
be a surprise to many people to nnd that
the people OF the better classes are
so refined In appearance. and their homes
and surroundings show that they must be so in
reality. The peasants are far from the slovenly.
shiftless type that the careless thinker might
have imagined and tho buildings. public and
private. are seen to be OF good design and in
good repair. Tho exploits and daily routine OF
our troops. the work Of the Red Cross nurses
the schools the civil administration, and many
other features OF the new order OF things In
Porto Rico are fully and authorItatively illus
trated. In no better way, sxcsp, by visit 10
the island. could 30 adequate conception be
formed OF it's present conditions. its resources
and It's future possibilities as may be obtained
from these photographs.
The objects exhibited in cases includ such
things as a collection OF military
medals and decorations formerly worn by
officers OF the Spanish army the
M. rito Grande" and the Grand Cross OF tho
Order OF Isabella the Catholic. among them:
uniforms and helmet. knives and other wea-
pons taken from the bandits. musical instru-
ments. native lar.. dishes and bowls. fencing
sorts OF odds and ends relating to the spanish
regime and the native development in the arts
and Industries. In a place on tho walls NO.
560l !. the fret Wa.hinGton's Birthday procls.
was placarded Ia February. 1890. and quantity |
refers in Spanish to our first President "a 'ths |
father Of his country" and first In war and
frst in peace" While not n. very good bit OF
press work. II was considered quite work OF
ART thipCa In the printinp lins N porto