Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1899-12-14
Californian Criticism.


our readers who are acquainted with
Mr.. Butler and have seen any of his
pictures, will no doubt take great
pleasure in reading it.
"Since the days when Mr. Butler
was familiar figure on the streets
of Los Angeles away back in "boom
times" he has seen much Of the pict'
uresque and artistic world. Only
once in the winter of '93 -'94 has he
revisited these shores until now when
he returns for a season or two OF
rest. An artist is always student.
Mr., Buffers professional researches
have taken him all over Europe, WIS.,
iting the famous galleries and max
ing himself familiar with the great
masterpieces; delving into the mys-
teries of technlvup in modern exhlb-
itIous or swarming with the annual
migrations of artists to the world
famed Sketching grounds.
Venice, "the Bride of the Adri
atic," had much fascination for him
as it has for all painters and poets.
He has many interesting reminiscent
ces Of the busy happy sunny days
spent in the forest of white umbrel-
las along the picturesque streets and
many-brldged canals.
Sketching there Is quotidian like
the daily bread and perennial like
the flowers. Mr.. Butler has studied
with much pleasure and profit the
aquarellists OF the continent, but
chiefly he has been charmed by the
pure tone and mastery workmanship
of the water color school of England,
world famed as the mother of the
water color art.
His own technique reminds one
decidedly Of the English school with
its sweet clean color and conscien,
ti)us detail. Birket Foster, typi.
cal English master seems to have i'm,
pressed him much. He was surpris
ed and delighted at Munich to fine
an exhibit of English artists holding
its own with honor.
Mr.. Butler is very fortunate IN be
ing spared the need of painting fo
daily bread. An artist has need o.
tranquility and abundant leisure. i
means to him the difference between
pure art and manufacturing.
In mural painting, also, Mr.. But
Ter has had gratifying success. A
Sherborn, Mass, in the Woman
Prison there is large wall plctur
in oil which has a history as preache
and missionary. The subject
'Christ and the Sinful Woman"
is painted with such insight and in
depreciation that hard,ned criminal
are made to weep over it, and it's ten
der pathos has touched the hearts {
brutal and stubborn creatures whor
no other influence could reach, an
has led to their reformation.
Also IN one of the prisons of Boz
ton, Mr., Butler painted a series {
wall pictures depicting the story
the "Prodigal Son" Another pov
erful thing is "Good Samaritan
His Bible story pictures are we
known in Massachusetts as a pow,
for the regeneration OF rhe race.
His standing among artists is ce
: tilted by the fact that one of bis pi
lures is owned by the Boston A
' Club, of which organization he is
member. Mr.. Butler was born
j Amesbury, Massachusetts, where
had Whittier for a next door neip
Dor. He received his art educati
at the Boston Art School with Oh,
n ter Davis, who is also a lifelo
: friend and near neighbor. His a
h dio is now at the Arcade Building
= Pasadena.
" He paints LANDSCAPES with pr
,e feeling and admirable judgement
70 color and values. Our fine art D
"a ductlons this week are from his '
q ter ColOrs.
y They are typical Of bis later st
. which delights in quiet lanes, qua
old houses and the more tranquil Z
(. peaceful phases Of rural life.
y. I "A New England Farm Hon