Evening star., 1899-02-04

Institute are free for three days during the
week. The Carnegie Institute in Pittsburg,
being fully endowed, has no need for ad-
mission fees and as far as can be learned
the exhibitions held in Cincinnati all
free to the public. In New York admission
is charged at all the important annual ex
hibitions, though last year the National
Academy of Design started the custom of
admitting the public on Sundays without
charge. Outside of New York. where the
conditions are entirely different, Washing
ton IS the only city that is at present trying
TO conduct annual exhibitions with no free
days.
Mr.. F. Hopkinson Smiths collection of
water colors, which was placed on view at
Fischer's Wednesday and will remain
on exhibition until February IA, bears am
pie testimony to his unerring artistic in
stfnct in selecting picturesque subjects. and
leaves no doubt as to his mastery over the
technique of his chosen medium. He fairly
revels in effects of brilliant sunlight. His
crisp handling of light and shade also in
sures his success as an interpreter of Nene-
tian scenes. To most artists Mr.. Smiths
habit of adapting every composition to
space measuring 13 by 81 inches seems
very odd. but there is something very
buSinesSiike about it, something that
smackS of the man who is civil engineer,
author and artist all in the same day, and
makes frequent appearances on the lee
ture platform to boot. Mr.. Smith, who
came to the city to give a reading for the
Art Students League, is the guest of Mr..
Thomas Nelson Page for brief visit.
Miss Una Clarke is one of the few local
artists who devote themselves exclusively
to decorative art. field which may seem
narrow to some. but which reveals its true
breadth as one becomes more familiar with
its numerous branches. OF late Miss Clarke
has been giving all her attention to burnt
wood decoration. but among the examples
of her handiwCrk which are of less recent
date one may see designs for silks and
other textiles, wallpaper patterns. stencils.
book covers, illuminated initial letters, de
signs for stained glass, and ornamental
architectural work of various kinds. Her
fondness for symbolism in designing is well
shown in a very effective tapestry pattern
somewhat resembling an Indian blanket AT
first glance one sees only an agreeable ar
rangemcnt of lines and color masses, but
on closer study one can puzzle out strange
ly conventionalized human and animal fig
ures that tell an interesting story that
might easily pass for some old Indian leg
end. Perhaps the most novel of her wall
paper designs is Il plne-tree pattern, and in
all her work one finds highly original IDEAS
applied to bring about graceful and deco
ratiVe effects.
The quaint antique knocker on the door Of
Mr.. ]. H. Mosers new studio. at 934 F
street, was kept busy this week by the
many friends who wished to pay him a
visit in his new quarters, and the artist in
anticipation of many such Interruptions.
made little attempt to work, but cheerfully
resigned himself to the task Of answering
the above mentioned knocker. Mr. Moser
may be "at home in a slightly more formal
way on some date in the near future, but he
has not definitely decided on studio re-
ception and has yet fixed no time. The
walls of the studio have been covered with
paper Of a pronounced terra Gotta shade,
and the woodwork painted a dull olive
green, the resulting color scheme being
Subdued and reStful. The room is furnished
with an eye TO the aesthetic value of every
part. but it is especially a work room, and
all the decoration and bric-a-brac are con-