The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-29

any other outside cause is due the holding
| together and maintenance of the organiza-
| ton. The artists all admit that the ex-
| hibitions should be free though they are
not in most other cities; but exhibitions
are expensive. and it is question of being
able to defray those expenses without the
much needed revenue being taken in at
| the door.
- A Reunion os Art Forces.
Chicago has a splendid art building
which is one Of the architectural features
Of the city. Such a structure makes a
grand rallying point about which all art
interests centre. Free exhibitions follow
one another closely throughout the season.
The art institute becomes a tremendous
factor in the development of that city in
esthetic directions. The Washington So
| ciety, though it has always had the friendly
interest Of the Corcoran gallery, should be
more directly under the patronage OF that
great institution. One can readily appre-
ciate the desire Of the artists to exist indie
pendently, as does the Society of American
Artists in New York. but II is doubtful II
a union OF forces here would not add to the
usefulness of the Washington Society and
at the same time reflect credit on the Cor
coran gallery. This might be done with
out adding to the burdens of the Corcoran,
and unite the art interests of this city in
manner that would increase the prac-
teal, effective work Of both.
The matter of a free exhibition is being
carefully considered by the artists, and 1t
is believed that ways and means will be
devised by which the annual exhibition
in April will be open TO the public. The
scribes are entirely in sympathy with
those good people of slender purses who
have real love for things artistic and
care much for art made here in Washing
ton, even prefering il to that which is i'm
ported. if it be just as good. Though per-
haps not able to buy pictures. these worthy
people would like to go more than once.
and they shall if the artists can possibly
see a way clear by which the tenth an
nual may be made a free public exhibit
ton.
The La Farges.
The La Fargo exhibition, by father and
son, held last week at the Fischer Gallery,
was an event in its way That John La
Fargo is great man, profound in his
knowledge of art and mastery of color. all
well informed persons know. His decora-
lions in Trinity Church at once FIJI one
with 4 glow of color enjoyment that can
not be obtained in a week at the library
good as are many of the decorations there.
But these water colors are different mat
ter. They are familiar to those who know
the annual exhibitions in New York and
to see them again rather confirms one in
/ the opinion that they are overrated.
few of them are John La Farges,' and his
art commands the highest respect. But
many Of them, done in distinctly Japa-
nese manner, are lacking. The great JapS
are greater artists. La Fargo should re-
main La Fargo: there his art is unique
and he stands as much as any man alone.
Water Lily is here. but it is not
the Water Lily which, more than any
other single picture. helped TO make his
fame. The strange thing little Kiosai
saw floating in the river is La Farges.
with only a hint Of the atmosphere of
Kioto. This is true of The Fountain in
a Garden They are great-very great.
The Japs could not do those. They possess
an Occidental quality which the Orien-
tai does not yet comprehend nor will pos
sess until he learns what it is that makes
a good d'Aubigney so very lovely. There
is something startling TO the average citi-
zen in the prices of these pictures. For
some of them, small slight Sketches
though made thoughtfully and with great
care-s50O and 81 coo was asked; and this,
too, in battered frames that gave one the
comfortable feeling that they must have
been widely exhibited. None was sold
here. Rejecting on these prices, one is
inclined to conclude that they must be
1
art organization in America is not an au-
thority who is? The fact is, pictures, like
any other commodity, are worth what they
will bring. The artist asks what he thinks
he can get and the price iluctuates with
his need.
| La Fargo. jr., is not likely to ever paint
| as well as his father, whom he strives 10
! initiate. no more than George 1nnis-eXcel-
! lent gentleman that he is-inade a success
| full pupil of his distinguished father He
has, it seems, abandoned painting as
! profession. Young La Fargo should pull
away, for. under other influences. he might
! develop originality, perhaps eclpsiug his
! fathers great reputation.
| Il. uOpkinsOn Smith.
| Next week Frank Hopkinson Smiths
water colors will be exhibited at the
| Fischer gallery Mr.. Smith is a genius
| quite as original and wonderful in his way
| as La Fargo, or even Whistler. II is, how