The times., 1899-04-02

strictly local in the sense of being the work
of lady, Mrs. Child. who is a permanent
resident here. The other is prize picture
of the American prize fund-and a produc-
tion of international eputation-Gilbert
Gaul's THE Fighting Line" stirring pic
ture of Federal soldiers firing straight out
at the observers. Ii is a superb piece of
work. one of the ablest ever done in Amer
lea, profoundly difficult to accomplish, and
handled in such mastery fashion that one
can easily understand how such painting
following his first effort, THE Battery
Charge" exhibited at the National Acade-
my, should have established his reputation
as the leading battle painter in America.
This is the first time this picture has been
shown in Washington, and was loaned for
the ninth annual, through the courtesy of
its present owner, Mr.. Allen c. Clarke, the
well-known local collector.
The Society OF Washington Artists, 1t
should be explained, only exhibits work of
living artists that has not been previously
publicly shown in Washington. The Gaul
picture is quite large, the canvas measur-
ing two feet four by three feet eight
inches. The picture is painted in oil and
bears massive gold frame.
'Jonquls.'' which Mrs. Child exhibits. is
a pastel. framed in black ebonized wood.
The subject is single standing figure of a
tall young woman in thin gown through
which the light sits softly as she poses
| with her back TO the unseen window. The
| gown falls in perpendicular folds that give
| simplicity and grace to the figure. The
| face is in a subtle shadow of great trans
pareney. 1t is altogether very charming
! truly Tennysonian. In her hand she holds
jonquil upon which her gaze is fixed.
! There is much about this picture, from the
! costume TO the flowers that gives Hum
nh IN q
I that is very agreeable, for his school was
| a delightful one. This motive is not new
/ with Mrs. Child. 1t is scheme of which
! she is very fond, and she is 10 be coDgratu-
/ lated upon SURPRISING all former efforts in
/ this direction.
There are some burntwoo1 deco-a ions
/ by Mr.. Curtis, who is a brother OF Mrs.
| Child. These show keen appreciation o.
| the sisters ideals and a sympathy which.
I, though the means used to express the
moods are quite as far apart as 1t is pos
sible. is no less apparent and enjoyable.
The next picture in point OF interest Is
! without doubt MIR. Uhls masterful tran
scripticn of an impression of the blizzard
1t is one of those bleak. barren, restless
dramatic subjects which so delight tbs
| French masters because they may be done
| at a sitting and yet show tremendous IA
4 cility and mastery over technical Difficult
puzzle to the jury. II WAS the oaly thnl
Of the kind offered for exhibition. Will,
high keyed and brilliant, it completely Gu
the small galleries to pieces and destroyed
I the conservative quietude of the place
Furthermore. this picture is so neail,
black and white that the juxtaposition o
paintings containing color robbed ii com
pletely of the hint of color. which wa
quite apparent when exhibited against
background of dark green burlai'.
Ii is a pity that it might not have bad I
bright wall of one of the smaller galleries
for IL requires much more light than al!
Of the pictures shown this year. II shoult
have had wall entirely to itself. II wa
worthy of that much honor.
Besides Mr. Gaul, Mrs. Florence V. Got
wald is the only other New York exhibitor
OF her three figure pictures the Girl will
Mandolin" IS the largest and most i'm
portant. Though of not SO wide a reputa
tion, her work is very distinguished. ant
only goes TO show how work possessing
great qualities is done in that big cit,
without bringing the full recognition
deserves. There IS here fine tone an
!, color quality that one only looked for Ill