The times., 1899-01-08

Speaking of local artists, one generally
thinks of artists who have grown up here
in Washington, artists In whom the older
residents have a sort Of provincial pride
Latterly this term has come TO have 4
broader, wider significance
Artists, American and foreign. who re-
side here for one or more seasons, are
warmly welcomed by the guild. But for
the presence OF these new men, Washing
ton would not be able to make the splen-
did showing she does in the many yarie-
ties of art. AS with other cities not strict
ly metropolitan, her native talent too often
rushes away TO the great art centres for
study and laurels. This is discouraging
feature of local artistic organizations.
Washington, however. has this advantage
over most other American cities, for from
time TO time there come here for longer or
shorter stay many of the leading American
artists and the most prominent of foreign
ers who touch our shores. They find in
Washington an appreciative leisure class
who patroniZes the arts. This city is also
good centre to work from, q place where
one can establish a studio and make such
trips 10 points OF interest as occasion may
demand.
This condition is development OF re-
cent years, and accounts for the high place
Washington holds as a centre Of art taste
One of the most distinguished foreign
artists who appreciates this peculiar and
attractive feature of Washington as an
abiding place is Chevalier Gaetan Trente-
move. His reputation in America was estab-
iished quickly and beyond dispute by his
collection of marbles shown in the Italian
section AZ the Chicago exposition. His
Last of the Spartans" attracted wide
and favorable comment at the exposition.
II afterwards went 10 the museum at Mil
10 Efn nj %
now at the Capitol. added greatly 10 his
reputation, and is regarded by many as
the most artistic bit Of sculpture in Stat
uary Hall.
superb realism with a singular mas
tery over technical problems is the pecu-
liar characteristic OF modern Italian sculp-
ture. No finer examples OF this rare
quality have come TO America than those
brought here by TTentenove. The fine
bust Of the Hon. Gardiner G.. Hubbard,
which was so much admired when eXhib-
tied among other Trentenove sculptures
at the Fischer Gallery last Winter. is.
without doubt one of the finest marble
portraits ever shown In this country. One
sees great deal Of good work OF the
sketching kind. but this delicate refined
sort, which seems almost 20 possess the
tenderness OF flesh itself. is very rare,
and appeals strongly 10 those who desire
something more than a bare impression
OF nature.
Mr.. TrentenOye is especially strong in
his portraits Of women. In these there
is q style. grace and a refinement which
at once reveal this artists power over
those fieeting expressions which are the
subtle charm Of all great portraiture.
Among the bust portraits shown here last
Winter were excellent Iilgenesses OF Mr..
and Mrs. Slilson Hutchins and one Of
James G. Blaine.
At his studio. in the Corcoran Building,
Mr. Trentenove shows a number Of impor-
tant pieces of work put in marble during
his Summer in Florence. OF these are
Iotably the soldierly bust Of Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee and a fine portrait Of William Jennings
Bryan. There is something in the Bryan
portrait that is particularly attractive and
we have no doubt that all his friends and
admirers will be satisfied with IL. There
are also portraits Of Gonzalo de Quesada,
Secretary TO the Cuban legation. and one
Of the late William l.. Scott, very strong
piece and especially happy in pose. This
man is intensely American and In his rip
est prime The handsome. we'll balanced
head is beautifully modelled. The express
sion of the whole face is most interesting
but there is something peculiarly life like
and fascinating about the eyes. There is
here the absorbed look Of genial man Of