Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-04-24
\NE of the most interesting of the

i u <AaiSIlCdu eNIllDllS III the art de-
partment at the Paris exposition is
the display of miniatures. This display
Is notable for the fact that the greater
part of the work has been done by wo-
men and that this work is distinguished
Tor its high quality. The majority Of
The exhibitors, in fact, are members of
The American Miniature society, organ
lied about a year ago in New York city.
The object of this society is to encour-
age miniature painting Of the highest
class. Its members are all artists of
reputation and ability in the general
sense as we'll as successful painters of
miniatures.
Miniature painting may be mere char
latanism or may be serious art. Many
miniatures are only copies from photo
graphs and have no merit and no orig
anality, emitting the maker to rank as
nothing more than a copyist Real art
lists in this work, however, make their
studies from life and into their little
paintings put the result of years of
study. Such as these it is the intention
OF the American Society of Miniature
PAINTERS to encourage. 1t was organ
lied by number of leading miniature
artists, representing different cities
with the intention of giving annual ex-
nlbltions and otherwise fostering se-
rious interest in the best miniature art
The president of this society is 1. A. Jo-
Eephi of New York. Miss Laura c..
Hills of Boston is vice president. Will
liam j. Baer of New York secretary,
and Mrs. Lucia Fairchild Fuller Of
Windsor, VT, treasurer
When the arrangements We're made
for the exhibit of representative works
OF art at the Paris exposition, COM
mittee, including Miss Hills, Mr.. Baer
and Mr.. Joseph, was appointed by the
United States commissioners to select
representative work of American min
lature artists. This selection is a fine
sDne; in fact, America has reason to be
distinctly proud of the collection, for it
shoWs that her miniature artists are
superior in their line to any in the
world. That exhibitors are the majority
pf them women is a subject of congrat-
uiatlon to all those interested in the
progress of women.
among the women miniature painters
Dr America one of the most distinguish
ca IS Miss Laura c. Hills of Boston.
Her work has within the last few years
received high praise from critics as
having those qualities which distin-
suisned the work of Isabey and Cosway.
one OF her most recent portraits.
entitled Fire Opal" made quite a
sensation at a recent exhibition of
miniatures in New York. About
Blk years ago some one suggest
ed to her that she might make CAPITAL
out OF her skill in painting heads by
turning her hand to miniatures. She
already had studied art and only needed
20 learn to apply her knowledge of COL
ors to ivory. She made a few miniA
lures for friends, and at their advice
exhibited them. So much were thew ,ad-
mired that she at once received % or
uers Tor portraits. This success en-
couraged her to study the miniatures
OF the masters of the portrait art, All
her studies are from life. Her work has
received favorable mention in the Paris
salon and at the annual exhibitions of
american artists in New York. She is
one OF the members Of the Society of
American Artists.
Miss Alice Beckington combines in an
unusual degree the artistic tempera-
ment with an ability for intelligent ap-
plication and self criticism which al
ways brings reward. She has lived
abroad and studied under such mas
ters as Constant, Lefevre and Charles
Lazar. 1t was while residing in Paris,
number of years ago, that she decid-
ed to study art. She had some knowl-
edge of drawing and color, but had
never had any regular instruction. Sc
lectlng the teacher under whom she
wished to study, she applied for admis-