Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-23


argument which sustains this-the in
fuence Of environment In the develop
nent Of artistic temperament and ten
denotes Is too well known TO need repe-
tition, and that the influence has been
felt and the inspiration absorbed Is
manifested in the remarkable nroduc-
lions OF home artists already existing,
and the notable lists of these latter who
have contributed to the results at pres
ent before US.
EARLY UTAH ART.
Art In Utah had a primal NANTES
tation as early as the "ifties' In yari-
GUS forms--painting sculpture, carving
and architectural decoration-but these
were chiefly the outcome Of earlier in
fluences than can be ascribed TO Utah's
scenic ones.
William Majors was our pioneer art
ist, his speciality being landscape and
portrait painting, ana William Wards
was the first hand which essayed sculp-
ture In Utah. some Of his work being
noted from historic association as well
as excellent eXecution-the figure OF
the lion, which has given Its name TO
one Of Brigham Young's residences on
South Temple street being a well known
example of the work OF his hands.
Decorative art had an exponent in VIII
liam Morris. who arrived in Utah from
Wales in 1852 his specially being chiefly
scroll and other ornamental work. Evil
dences OF his skill still remain in the
Lion and Bee Hive houses and In the
Deyereaux house, the residence Of the
late William Jennings.
C.. c. Christensen, a graduate OF the
Art Academy Of Copenhagen, and an
Italian named Cavallach were amongst
the pioneer artists OF the "tifties," the
former a painter Of rural landscape.
and the latter devoting himself exclu-
siyely 10 portrait painting. Represen-
tations of Cavallach's work still remain
IN portraits OF President Brigham
Young, Daniel II. Wells and Mrs. Mary
Wheelock, Utah's star actress Of the
period. the portrait representing her In
the character OF the Lady Of Lions"
The picture is said TO be notable one.
and would be valuable acquisition to
the State Historical society were II pos
sible TO obtain IL. II is at present in
the possession OF the Broomhead family.
OF Bear Lake. Idaho.
TEN YEARS LATER.
In the early Sixties" art received
something Of the nature Of boom"
impetus In the appearance of three ex-
cellent artists In Utah-George NJ. OF
finger who arrived in 1861 from Eng
land, Daniel A. Weggeland, a native
OF Norway and graduate OF the Art
Academy, and John Tullidge, an Eng
fish landscape and portrait painter.
whose work was considered OF a high
order Shortly after their settlement
here, the first art organization In Utah
was established under the name of the
Deseret Academy Of Art, its object be-
ing chiefly instruction In drawing and
painting with accompanying courses Of
lectures by the presiding artists. The
academy existed some time, but finally
dissolved and art throye on what in
centiye lay in the bent Of the artists
and the demand OF the people for pic
lures. Occasionally outside artists APP
peared on the scene and contributed the
spur OF example and new thought and
method to local endeayor.
ADVENT OF EASTERN ARTISTS.
In 1866 two artists, Arthur Mitchell,
an Englshman, and g. W. Perry, a
New Yorker, appeared In Utah, and con-
trlbuted the impetus OF their presence
and effort TO the local art spirit, while
reaplng substantial benefits from the
local environment. Mr.. Mitchell. as a
landscape artist, devoted himself 10 the
surrounding scenery, and his compan-
Ion, Mr.. Perry whose speciality was
portrait painting, to the people.
The latter was graduate Of the Ma
tional Academy and added to his I'M
doubted skill in portraiture an ability
TO work with marvellous rapidly.
Charging from two TO three hundred
dollars for picture, and painting four
In week, Mr., Perry, as a result Of
less than four months visit in Salt
Lake, carried away from thirteen TO
fourteen thousand Deseret dollars He
has since achieved magnificent for
tune and lives In New York In the lux
ury obtained through his art. The ex-
cellent llfe-sized portrait of Brigham
Young which hangs In the council
chamber of the City and County build.
Ing Is one OF the pictures painted by
the New York artist, and In many priv
ATE residences are portraits OF eminent
people OF the time painted by his hand.
A PORTRAIT PAINTER.
A Chicago artist named Cogswell al
~ CdHle 10 Nlan III the 'SlNtleS' ana
evidences OF his work also remain In
the portraits OF well known citizens OF
the period, which he painted during his
stay These were the "transients" OF
The period and amongst the home art
lists who were contributing art produc
lions during the time, besides Geo. NJ.
Otunger whose talent has been steadily
developing with the years, and whose
work, especially that dealing with tyres
OF the ancient American races is des-
uned TO become notable-were Martin
Lenzi, whose excellent paintings OF still
NE VIII be long remembered, Joseph dc
IA Harpe. or Joseph Ursenbach as he Is
pest known. scenic artist OF eycep-
uonal ability, and Phineas Young. a
puph OF Weggeland, whose early death
cut short career which his master
considered OF exceptional promise
speaking OF scenic artists. however. II
Is interesting 20 remember that Geo. NJ
otuhger painted the first scene for the
ear Lake Theatre, and that "Joeo
vIseppach, whose career commenced in
o,an' Few years ago obtained a com.
,nlsslon TO paint the entire scenery for
DAYS new theatre-a substantial tes.
umony Of the value set upon his ability
w critics OF the great metropolis.
IN THE SEVENTIES.
III was duripo ~. -. 49,. a. .