The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29

great power and anatomical knowledge
and all are of the most finished descrip-
ton. The class devoted to the study and
representation of still life meets in this
room. and while not numbering as many
pupils as some OF the others contains a
number of students who are enthusiastic
cally fond OF their work and who turn
out most beautiful specimens Of their ar
tistic abilities. In front OF The easel Of
each pupil is collection of objects such
as fruits. flowers. etc, which are being
reproduced in oil upon the canvas. This
work may be described as preparatory to
more ambitious efforts.
Of the same nature as the still life
class, so far as regards its subjects Of
study and representation. is the water
color class, which owes much of the eff
cheney displayed in its work to the able
and competent instruction of its preceptor,
Mr.. James Henry Moser. The excellent
results attained by all the classes and the
high standard of the work of each individ-
ual is due. it is said. to earnest teaching
on the part of the instructors, comprising
Prof. Andrews, Miss Berta Hanson, and
Mr.. Moser and hard work and perse-
verance on the part of the pupils.
The antique class is the most elementary
and the pupils exhibit here as throughout
the other departments excellent specimens
work in this class and display often re-
narkable talent and great interest AID
enthusiasm. The strict discipline to which
they are subjected by Prof. Andrews
is calculated to somewhat dampen the ar
dor of any but the most devoted aspirant
to artistic distinction. The novice enter
ing the class is told to provide himself
or herself with a drawing board, several
pieces of charcoal, sheet of drawing pa
per and a piece OF chamois skin. the last
for the purpose of erasing the erring line;
and great is the destruction wrought in the
pupils work, and sometimes his hopes, by
the exercise OF that apparently harmless
little cloth in the directors hands.
The pupil upon providing himself with
the paraphernalia described, sets up his
easel in front of any one of the antique
casts which plentifully besprinkle The
three rooms devoted to the class. and COM
mences what are probably his maiden eff
forts in the direction of the fine arts. All
goes we'll and he is probably contemplate
ing the results of his labors with no lit
tie pride and satisfaction when the director
unostentatiously places himself by his side
and. with one fell swoop, diaposes of the
work and the pupils complaisance at the
same time. The pupil is then given his
first instruction upon the subject of the
ure. and learns that there is no such thing
in the outward form of that wonderful
structure as a concave line. and that he is
not required to make sausages. but to in
dictate the presence OF muscles. II the pu-
pill is gifted with great perseverance, as
well as a considerable measure of artistic
talent the chances are that he viii con-
tinue and will eventually become an ac-
complished artist.
The life class comprises drawing from
the nude and draped model, and is regarded
as the highest direction of effort in the
school.
The pupils OF the life class. while study
ing from the model, generally pursue at
the same time the study of the antique.
and it is for the merit exhibited in both
directions of art that the prizes are award
poses upon a low platform in the centre of
the large class room. The greatest di-
Versity is noticeable in the personality
of those selected as subjects, from the
young girl to the aged man.
, In, the day class, which is attended ex-
clusivAly by women, the morning is de-
voted 10 drawing from the nude and the
afternoon from the draped model TIE
night class is exclusively for men. but it
is noticeable that the majority of the an
nual prizes in past years have been won
by women.
AS said by an artist who recently visited
the school, the work being done there in
the interest of art ard artists is of tie
greatest benefit. not only to the District.
but to the country at large. and a steady
advance in all lines Of artistic endeavor
may be confidently looked for.