The times., 1899-07-09
4 SUNSET IN WASHINGTON
Its Glories Revealed 10 an Artist
on Aqueduct Bridge.
Why Should the Painter Go Travel
ing In Search of Something 10 Put
ON Cnnvnss.-a Scene Unsurpassed
in the Riches of Nature Fine
Color Effects and the Aftcrriow.

fellow and fits well in the Bohemian at
mosphere of a studio. he is not critical
not that thorn in the side of one who is
always sure that the effect could be bet
ter secured in some other way. or with
some other material. This mans fault is
that when pictures are shown him he in
variably observes with great earnestness.
Yes, these pictures of yours are fine,
that's right; but, my dear sir, if you want
TO get something finer than anything yoI
ever saw and make your everlasting repu-
tation you should go to the Blank Noun
tains. Talk about scenery, great Scott!
1t just lays over anything that ever was
painted. Let me tell you how 10 get
there" Reaching for piece of drawing
paper, this studio guest draws an elab-
crate map of the railroad route, explains
when the stage leaves. and how fine the
hotel is. mo better table anywhere, bath
and electric lights, and so cheap" One
listens patiently. although the description
and instructions are sometimes intermina-
bic. II is, however, like criticism on pic
tures-one must listen, for there is no
telling when suggestion may be made
II you show this man painted sunset
you are particularly fond of, il only re-
minds him of the finest sunset he ever saw
in his life, and he starts of again with a
forid description in which there are al
ways lots of clouds and color that burns
He is not sensitive to the deeper things,
but he has a keen sense Of the dramatic.
He is where most artists are when they
begin to study art. The refined harmonies,
efafa4 al 1SnF# ,r
composition have not reached HIM. They
may in time, for he is on the right track
10 get the full enjoyment OF nature. He
is using his eyes. This enthusiast usually
finishes by lamenting that there is no
scenery about Washington worth painting,
and that fine sunsets are rare. He is
thinking of some short vacation, where
his tired eyes were rested, and he was
compelled TO leave before he had got
his I'LL
Washingfon's Beauties.
Your trained artist knows, however, that
Washington is one of the richest fields in
the world. 1t is utter nonsense to talk of
nothing to paint about Washington. This
city abounds in picturesque subjects, while
within an hours ride are places offering
an infinite variety of landscape material.
With the wide-awake man it is not where
is there something to paint, but which
shall he do first Unfortunately there is no
menu card at this feast, and in the pres
ence of such an embarrassment of riches
the painter often dawdles away his day
and does nothing at all. The wise nan
goes out and begins on the first thing he
comes to. IL acts like good consomme at
dinner. His appetite gets an edge and
he works at white heat all day long, and
when the daylight wanes he declares how
short are July days, the longest of them.
The sunsets were unusually fine last
week. when seen from Office windows with
housetops silhoueited against the sky, or
up the Avenue, when the glimmering green
lights of street cars made a pleasant note
in the olive black gloom Of Lafayette Park
elms bordering the yellow afterglow. The
best place. however, in Washington from
which TO see the sun set is, without
doubt. the Aqueduct Bridge. The picture
is extremely simple and complete, the ac-
cessories. the landscape and water effects
are most agreeable Standing well over
on the farther side toward Roslyn, the
Palisades of the Potomac slope down to
the river bit of wooded bluff projects
little. and Is delicately relieved by the
mole distant banks beyond. From this
point the shore line makes graceful curve
20 the bridge piers. The foliage this
bluff. after the sun has gone down On a
clear evening, wears well.
This Wonderful Sunset
One may study It evening after evening
and find it wonderfully satisfying. The
trees are so charmingly arranged; one
rarely finds a mass of trees so large where
in some modification does not suggest it.
self as an obvious Improvement to the
picture. Here is an arrangement in greens
yety appearance. But what velvet or silk
plush ever had the richness Of that piece
Of woods? One says ''velyety' only be-
cause that is the nearest approach to it
in words. On the side of Monument
Mountain, in the Berkshires, the writer
recalls q bit OF hillside very like this. and
in other places in many States may just
such material and effects be found, but
where can one find such a place within
thirty minutes and q car ticket Of the
business district?
This wooded bluff is not the only attrac-
ton. although it is quite the finest feature
OF the landscape in the sunset picture from
the Aqueduct Bridge. To the south lies
Analostan Island; eastward and to the
north is the city, ending 20 the westward
with the fine sky line of Georgetown Col
lege buildings and the ever picturesque
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Due west are
the Virginia hills. into which the river dis
appears toward Chain Bridge. While the
sun is stu bright, and too dazzling for one
10 enjoy the westward view, turn your
back upon his majesty and see the city
glorifiod by the mellow pink and orange
rays. This is only home, where one is
forced to stay through the hot days-and
so is commonplace.
To Lose one's Self.
One must forget for moment and look
at this scene impersonally to realize that
it is magnificent. The Monument and the
Capitol. together with the Library, stand
out like jewels in a green setting. The
brick buildings burn like smolderlng Goals
on hearth; violet and tender blue shad-
ows draw together the warning tints into
peaceful color scheme OF great beauty:
sky Of smoky rose and violet does It's
humble part beyond the city. and the pur-
pie hills Some day this scene will have its
disccyereT. and Venice may look TO her
laurols. Then Washingtonians who spend
their summer away from here will learn
what is no news to the painter-that
Washington is attractive and very beauti-
ful In July and August.
Turning westward again the Iow-lyinc
clouds are fakes OF molten gold that nc
lifeless pigment can more than suggest.
The sun has just disappeared. The color
Is overbrilliant. Tho fash and glare OF
gold and crimson is repeated in the water
and makes most dramatic picture. The
colors are pure and oyergOrgeous. Watch
for the after glow These intensely bril-
Liant contrasting colors are soon changed
TO cool, grey tones. and the sunset is gone
50 think some of the nearby watchers