The times., 1899-10-27

The first public exhibition Of the paint
ings of Joseph Jefferson, actor and artist,
VIII be opened in this city on Monday,
October 80 When the doors are opened
the lovers Of genuine art in Washington
viii be treated TO view Of a collection Of
sixteen canvasses in oil from the brush
of this remarkable man. who despite his
active connection with the stage, still finds
time to express his ideals in all the charms
of lasting color. The paintings have been
hung at the Fischer gallery, 529 Fifteenth
Street northwest. and those who are so
fortunate as TO obtain a card of admission
can view the collection there after Mon
day morning.
Only a few of Joseph Jeferscn's inti-
mate friends are aware that he is not
only a lover of the brush and palette, but
is an artist of no mean ability. The vet
eran player has, for many years, spent his
spare moments in his studio, and the
paintings TO be exhibited are the result
of the labor performed within the past
five years. The calvasSes are not the
daubs of an amateur, but the finished work
OF master.
One of the pictures in the collection,
Solitude" is a beautiful conception rep
resentiug a lowland scene at eventide.
The coloriug in this is magnificent and
/ impressive, and. according 10 Victor O.
Fischer, judge Of recognized ability there
are few artists in America capable OF pro-
ducing such a wonderful effect as that
| shown in Solitude"
In introducing the little souvenir cata-
t logue issued for the occasion. Mr.. FIscneT
pays a high tribute to the painter, as fol-
! lows:
Il Is with sincere pleasure that we send this
J cataioguc-Opening the art season-to all lovers
OF art: the 50 ior the reason that 10 ma
joriry il viii be surprise 10 meet an o.d llleAu
! in an avocatiou Of which only the lnltlated lew
were aware. Joseph Jefferson, as a painter, mas
subtle charm and poetry which are INSPIRED IN
artists bv qualities of heart and mind, and ! am
certain nobody viii see this charming exhibition
without being delighted to have been brought
into contact with the fascinating individuality OF
the painter himself
There is nothing commercial about this
exhibition The paintings are not for
sale, and there is no charge for admission,
which will be by invitation only. The af-
fair is entirely a compliment to Mr.. Jetfer
son. who kindly consented to allow his
treasures to be viewed publicly for the
first time.
Only one of the sixteen paintings has
been copied from real life. This IS a
beautiful scene at Cape Cod. and is called
u
/ canvasses were painted indoors and from
either memories or ideals in the brain OF
the artist. One of his ideals which he
/ has long fingered over, seems to have
been a rustic mill beside mountain
/ stream, as no less than four Of the paint
/ ings contain charming studies which in
elude these objects
The titles of the paintings are as fol-
lows: Early Fall, - Forest and Stream,
Solitude" Rustic Bridge" AN Early
Frost" Mountain Torrents" 'Stoney
/ Brook" The Old Peach Tree" Wood
( Cart in Winter - The Copse." The Old
Mil" The Canon" The Mill Dam,
Little Fails" On the Beach" and a
/ Cool Spot"
The Mountain Torrent was painted last
year. while the scene ''On the Beach was
! completed during the vacation months Of
/ 1881 \ little landscape entitled A Wood
! Cart in Winter" has attracted much praise
/ from critics, and is a remarkable bit OF
/ eoloring.
Mr.. Jefferson was IN Washington yes
terday morning, but returned TO Baltimore
/ during the afternoon 10 appear with his
company. which is playing there In speak
/ ing Of the artist-actor last night, Mr
/ Fischer said:
! The artist is very modest and blush
ingly left town when he heard OF the fame
/ Of his debut in the art world. And, like
/ all other men, OF talent, he really believes
] that his ability as a player cannot be com
pared for one moment with his genius as q
{ patnterhf