The times., 1899-05-07
ARTISTS OF THE
NATIONS CAPITAL
Small Prices Received for Re-
Gently Sold Pictures.
A Seeming Indifference to the
Work Of Local Painters.
Water CoIors by Robert Rurns Will
son-Miss Kings Lffe-Sfxe Por-
trait of q Boy.

The annual sale" is over. The people
have the pictures and the artists have
pocketed the money. The prices obtained
did not average better than lot of fac
tory-made pictures bearing fictitious names
might have brought under the same cir
cumstances. Max Weyrs great Corcoran
Gallery picture, for which the trustees paid
the artist $500, is not half the size of one
Of Weyl's equally well painted pictures
which brought only s27. under the ham
mer, at the sale last week Mr.. Aspinwall
got this prize.
Why this slaughter? 1t may be largely
due TO the fact that Washington takes lit
tie interest in the work of local artists
The writer is inclined TO the opinion that
this sacrifice was because this and some
other good pictures were in bad company.
The work Of some very weak men, and
some weak work OF some very strong men
and few pot -boilers"-those little dew
ilish anchors to the windward that always
come back, like Banquo's ghost, to haunt
the artist-made up this collection. Then,
II IS another sad fact that these weak or
immature things often find a resting place
in the most public places, while choicer
examples of these same men may be placed
eonspicuously in the homes of our wealth
lest citizens. They have reason to be
proud of these excellent and promising
painters.
The artists cannot, however. retain this
good opinion in this very desirable quarter
II they continue in this course. A really
good picture can be hung no place where il
will do the artist positive harm-Bouger-
eaus Nymphs and Satyr" hanging in
New York barroom rather added to than
cetracted from his great reputation.
III Is very different matter with work
that is not done as well as a man is ca
pabie OF doing It. The catalogue an
nounced with most business-like flourish
the list Of really prominent local artists
VINO were represented. Undoubtedly the
public at this sale at Sloan's got more than
their moneys worth; still these artists
must think 1t pays, for. as TO prices, il
was only repetition OF last years ex-
perience. They have unloaded and have a
little loose change 10 show for It, but 1t
is very certain they are not helping to eIe-
yate local art or widen their own reputa-
lions with people whose good opinion is
worth having
AT a glance 1t did look like a collection
OF pretty good things. but careful exami-
nation proved that It was not strictly
high-class show. There were some very had
things there-perhaps they got in by mis-
take-as salt sometimes gets into coffee.
The coffee may have been never SO good.
but IL Is ruined. Another result may not
be expected until these men present an en-
tire collection OF thoroughly serious high
class and altogether respectable works.
Then IL the picture buying public remain
away 1t is no fault OF the artists
There is great question involved. Can
a man who is building up a reputation be
proiihe-no he cannot. and paint the year
round. as most do. This rapid aecumula-
tion OF pictures. lacking in thoughtful per-
sonal qualities can deceive no one. Their
shailowness is apparent on sight, and the
name painfully distinct in the corner is
there for all time. II makes one shudder
10 think of IL. The better class OF pic
ture buyers. when they want pictures, go
to the artist or some reputable dealer
The average attendant at local picture
auction is man not in buying mood, but
one who is willing TO pick up something
for nothing. There are exceptions, but the
average picture auction here does not en-
courage the collectors TO expect much at
picture sale"
II local art is to be worthy the name
and compel the enthusiastic support of
our citizens, deeper sense OF individual
responsibility as to the quality of work
signed and shown-even at an auction
must be exhibited. The writer dreams Of
time when Washington art will be talked
OF around the world as just now are ring
ang the praises Of the Glasgow school,