The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-09

| brook subjects. In this picture a rickety
| bridge spans a swift-fowing brook The
dashing water brings the bridge out in
| strong relief The logs thrown across the
brook and the protecting rail look so de-
cayed and moss-grown, so real, when OBJ
served at the proper distance-but when
one draws near, nothing but meaningless
paint! This is characteristic of the art
OF Jefferson. 1t is an art learned before
the footlights that the scenery is only as
good as 1t seems from the body of the
house. ANY time spent on making it look
nice near by is utterly wasted.
Mount Washington No. 2, is one Of
the truest pictures Of the Presidential
Range l ever saw. This picture por-
trays the rugged, forceful character of
those mountains with great truth. Only
those familiar with the range know how
small figure Mount Washington cuts in
the line against the sky. This is a fine
impression and, though broadly treated,
Is more than usually full Of local char
actor. ---.
No. 8, Ducks Retreat" is the odd title
Of a most artistic and charming little
Dupre-like picture, in which, beyond it's
tine color and tone, there is an old tree
that is treated in a very interesting man
ner. -...-.---.--. ....t-.l.
No. IA. "Moonrise." is a good moonlight
effect one has seen on little riv-
ers." Floating laZily with the current,
have often observed this effect of the
glinting moonlight through the trees and
on the water. How many times / have
promised myself would paint it. Mr.. JEFF
ferson has done it for me in a way that
quite satisfies my fancy.
No. 10, Forest and Stream is the
most brilliant success in greens shown in
the collection. This picture shows that
it was wrought out with great pains, and
the result is quality in the green's men
have given their whole lives to accom-
plish without reaching. Only those who
have tried to get this quality in green
know what problem it s.
No. SO, "a Smoky 6 .ty," Is Dutch in
character, with Its mass of shipping and
warehouses. 1t is we'll handled.
No "a, Winter" is bleak twilight in
which the low tones of snow at evening
are strongly contrasted with the lunni-
nous green and pale yellow sky.
The Jefferson marines are marked by a
brilliancy and goa force and sense of
out of doors which, added to skies OF
exceptional quality and beauty. lift them
above any mere truthful observation In
the wave painting. 1t is amusing to see
narrow horizoned peopled light, like fly,
on the beach and hold forth in high glee
on its shortcomings. Poor souls, they do
not know that the picture holds more of
Quartly and Turner-like truth of the
higher sort than they will ever be able to
The Massachusetts Bay
No. So Is fine example OF the posi-
bilities of marine art in a larger way.
and Mr. Jefferson is to be congratulated
on his wider. nobler vision which makes
such higher. realistic things as this pos
sible to him. Not that some of these
details might to advantage be truer, but |
their utter unimportance. in the pres
eScs OF other higher and truer qualities, is |
so very obvious that one almost asks par |
don for referring to such critics. How |
ever it is not out of place that painter !
critic should be very clear in his review !
of so distinguished an amateurs col
lective exhibitions.
There is one picture "a Tusboat.' No. |
%, which is particularly complete from |
the technicians point of view, besides he
ing az a picture one of the most suco ess-
full in the whole show. The scene is par
ticularly attractive pictorially. 4 square
rugged vessel with broad sails set is bsing
taken from some moonit bay By puff
fling and confident little tug boat. The
moon is full and high up on the canvas.
L nat SelHl-ilSu ilSut l4i'ti.e5 !
/ dark canvas full of light. pervades this
picture. This sense of light is not due so
much to the bright face of the moon,
which in pictures too often looks like 4
on-luminous lozengc on field of dark
color, but to the extraordinary ob5erva-
ion and rendering OF the fat field of sky
md water and breaking these with fiat
masses evenly distributed aAd correctly
observed as to their relative value For
Instance. it should be noted in this pic
ure that the distant strip of land lies fat
nd shadowy in almost single tint. while
he sails are darker. but still fiat, for that
S the character of moonlight. The tug
md the hull OF the vessel they are
grouped closely together. are the one
vivid dark accent in the picture. Their
combined forms are meltingiy reflected in
he placid moonlit water, across which
he broad track of the silver moon is re-
lected There are clouds in the sky, of !
hat indefinite kind which require a |
training of the eyes to make them out.
smoke and steam from the little tugboat
freak the monotonous mass OF sails most
This detailed description
s necessary to an appreciation of the
onsumate truth and artistic interpreta-
ion of Mr.. Jefferson's fine picture OF
light.
This picture interests the painters, for