Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-10


an air of confidence in his attitude The
advertising legend was we'll inwrought with
the rolling background of sky, and in the
right distance the dome of the Capitol was
shown. The poster was the work of j. E.
Sheridan. student at the university, whose
work shows marked ability, and he may be
looked to for a further account of himself.
Mr.. sheridan. aside from his artistic talent,
Is valued member of the university ath-
letic teams, and holds many laurels as a
sprinter.
The position of the successful illustrator
is dangerous one, artisticaly. Publishers
clamor for more copy, and he must produce
to accommodate the demand. At first he
does his work carefully and conscientiously,
but as the pressure becomes stronger he
must resort to tricks of cleverness and an
exaggeration of those qualities which made
his name originally notable, thereby char
itably cloaking many shortcomings in draw
ing and modelling. In justice 1t must be
said that the artist is not primarily to
blame. 1t is the cry for more that clamors
at his studio door. Then extra effort is
required. serious things sacrificed, and
as the rush jobs go through, with all their
imperfections on their heads without COM
ment or protest from the editors, the artist
experiences a feeling of assurance that his
work is satisfactory to his principals. Soon
quantity distances quality, the publishers
and dealers get their wares, and the painter
falls victim 10 his fatal facility, but with
the consolation that he is beyond the reach
Of want.
Mr.. Trentanove, the sculptor who has
been in Italy for some time past has re-
turned to the city, and is again ready to go
to work, with his accustomed vigor. 1t was
a matter of regret to his friends that Mr..
Trentatove was not present on the occa-
sion of the unwilling of his statue of Web
ster; but this was matter of comparative
ly small concern to the artist who is ouite
content to have his work speak for him.
The painting by the Rev. DR.. Oertel, the
third of his series of religious pictures, will
be on free exhibition next week at st.
Johns Parish Hall.
X X
1t is a pleasure to lovers of art to know
that Houdin's famous statue of voltaire,
which stood in the lobby of the Theater
Francois, was not lost in the fire. which
destroyed that historical structure this
week. This is perhaps the masterpiece of
that celebrated sculptor fine cast from
Which is possessed by the Corcoran Gal
lery. where it justly attracts much atten-
ton.
Tuckermans painting of the escape Of the
~ iSalS SoHstltutloN from the brlllSn squad
ron in 1872 has been placed on exhibition
in the Corcoran Gallery. The late Mr.. Cor
coran was fond of relating the incidents of
that exciting chase, as he had often heard
them from the lips of his distinguished
father-in-law. Commodore Charles Norris
who was first lieutenant Of the ship on that
memorable occasion. In the picture the
Constitution, under all sail, stands boldly
out in the foreground, while the British
fleet is dimly discernible through the smoke
of battle in the uncertain light of the early
dawn. As Congress has just passed an act
authorizing the restoration of the old ship.
the expense to be betrayed by the Daugh-
tiers of the War of 1872, this exhibition is
particularly interesting as showing how she
looked in her prime.