The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-16

pictures drawn from the experiences of
tumuItuous mob are TO be seen and no al
legOrical undraped figures. A person IS
better for visit to Brentwood
The following story OF the founding of
Prof. Frank O. Marvin Of the State Uni
versity and was published in the Agora in
Nearly 25 years ago a prosperous Kan
sas merchant who had grown up with the
country and had passed through the
raid found himself in Philadelphia on
one of his annual trips for replenishing
his stock Passing along Chestnut street
one evening his ear caught the persua,
sive tones of an auctioneer's voice, and
yielding to the impulse he entered and
became part Of the crowd at picture
sale.
This was a new experience with
enough of novelty in it to hold him for
time, with attention divided among the
paintings, the crowd and the seller, yer
with no thought of becoming a partici-
pant. At last there was put up a marine
view that under flood Of illumination,
disclosed a line of tall. rough cliffs against
whose base the heavy and dark undulat-
ing water broke into lightness and white
ness a sky that was cool and gray above.
but all aflame below near the setting sun
with the rich color caught up and re-
peated in a broad band by the tips of
the waves, and a disabled ship in the turf
beating against the rocks with dark spars
and rigging athwart the glowing west To
his eye this was the most beautfui PIC
ture he had ever seen As his desire TO
possess it became Irresistible, he became
an active bidder and finally its purchaser
without stopping to consider reasons or
consequences
Then came serious questions. With
little money in his pocket, no way to reach
any at that time Of night. no aS;qua amt L
ance to vOuch for him, how could ne pay
Would cash be demanded that night? How
would he dare to tell his friends that ne
had paid so much Tor mere pleture
What had he bought good picture or
daub2 Who was this artst2 AS TO art
matters he was ignorant and knew that
he could form no just judgments. The
sale closed for the night and the Fnef-
chant, having arranged to meet his obi
ion an @ retired
tel to be disturbed through the night with
alternate visions of lovely color dancing
from wave top to wave top, and of
steady going. sedate merchant. pirouetting
in the motley garments of a fool In the
morning a call on a business acqua1nt-
ance gave opportunity for inquiry.
:. Who is this James Hamilton and what
is his reputation as an artist2
q oh Hamilton; he IS a Philadelphia
and so popular and prolific that nearly
every house in the city holds one OF his
canvases; next to Edward Moran who Is
his pupil he is perhaps our best Ameri-
can marine painter Doubt was mined
ia telx- changed to satisfaction.
This was the beginning of the Bryn-
wood collection of pictures, and the Ham
nton- still hangs on the wall; by no means
disgraced by its associates
Mr. Woodward's fabors TO build up an
art collection Of high class have been
methodical. He has Travelled much and
has had much leisure since he has retired
from active business and has always haC
something that pleased him he pohs4t Il
and the price was a secondary cQfiSleieIt-
ton or no consideration at an Ike eIle
true artist who. loves art for art $ sake
the Kansas oonnoisseur never thinks az
the money value Of the works whleh ne
has gathered and no one ever neard nm
alIude to the price Of a painting Inc
uncouth and curious visitor VINO innocent
" inquiries the cost OF a picture IN The
/ ErNuwoOd collection IS met with poHte
but gentle rebuff.
The picture gallery is lighted by sky
/ LIGHTS ia the pictures undergo q tFaTsl-
I ti9n under the changing effects of the at
! mosphere- as the sun passes from horizon
/ to horizon The skies on the canEa:ses
/ or the surface of the sea glistens with
/ glorious sunlight.
At one end of the gallery hangs the
( most pretenti8us picture in the collection.
/ II is a marine by Hendrix Willem Mes
I dag and was painted in the soft light Of
! a Holland day when the fishermen are
/ busy with their boats. The picture IS one
from the Holland section OF the World 5
! fair and il was chosen for the qualities
of rest and color which Mr. Woodward
| loves so well.