The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06

/ oNtF thN D''P'"s
The trustees of the Corcoran Gallery Of
| Art, always the stanch and encouraging
| friends of the earnest element here, have
rendered the greatest possible service. {
artists and public alike by establishing q
/ place for transient exhibitions.
The Hemicycle Gallery is at last a fact
! The inaugural exhibition, composed OF
| paintings and sculpture by local artists
only has opened its doors. Everybody is
surprised at the great show of talent and
the vast amount of good work gathered
there. 1t is altogether a revelation. and
Mrs Henderson's triumph is complete.
1t is only possible in this first review to
portant contributions which give distinc-
ton to the exhibition and are sure to ex-
tend the fame of the Washington School. u
Dunbar's three portrait busts in the CEN
ire of the gallery honor both the exhibit
ton and himself. Macdonald, Troubetskoy,
and Floyd, to mention them in the order
of their arrival in Washington, are the
three leading portrait painters. Trou-
betskoy occupies the place of honor with
several recent portraits which do great
credit to his ability and mark him as a
portrait painter of rank. Not Chase or
Beckwith would have more ably filled the
space, nor would Sargent whom Trou-
betskoy's spirited technique resembles,
have done some of these things more sim
ply or conspicuously better. That Of Mr..
Richardson is superb picture, possess
ing Rem QnalitiaS which are
very rare in modern portraits.
Floyd's portraits, near by, are very In
dividual in manner and are refined inter-
pretations in which the artistic qualities
are well sustained.
Hinkley's Tom is a little poem which
visitors, after wandering over the gallery,
will return to and linger over. Uhfs ror-
trait of Judge Shellebarger is one of his
very best, and shows this painters mas
terry over that sort OF rugged, forceful in
depreciation of sitter.
Max Weyl is splendidly represented and
supports with dignity his reputation as
the leader of the Washington land
scapists. Had Messer sent his Sharon
Lodges Weyl must have divided the first
honors with him. AS matters stand, Weyi
and Brooke, with the latter's small but very
precious collection, so sincere and appeal
ing, march together at the head Of land
to the town. oh that Brooke might have
had pictures here by the dozen, as some
other less capable and well known men
have, No; rather congratulate him on his
four gems. Perhaps If he had sent
twenty or thirty one might not have liked
them any better than some OF the other
notably large exhibits are liked.
A Place of Honor.
The place of honor on the south wall of
the Hemicycle Gallery. Immediately oppo-
site Troubetskoy, is occupied by great
picture of Gutherz. 1t is a noble compo-
sition, imaginative and brilliant, Of large
and commanding proportions. This
picture, and several others of its size and
class by this artist, makes clear the strong
grounds for his distinguished Partisan rep
utation. and lifts measurably the stand
ard of the exhibition. These pictures, rev.
erent and sincere, have about them the at
mosphere Of Fra Angelico's time, and are
supported by marked technical excellence.
II is but fair to add, and the write does
so regretfully. that none of the more re-
Gently painted things which Mr.. Gutherz
contributes to the exhibition merits such
unqualified praise-and Mr.. Gutherz is one
of the largest exhibitors.
Lucien Powell TANKS the large GutherS
on the south wall with two fine dramatic
and colorful things of Venice-rich and
brilliant. These imposing Turneresque
pictures are most effectively placed and the
high average of excellence of his numer-
OTIS pictures as to composition and color
is remarked by everyone There is not,
however. sufficient variety in his work 10
make the extraordinary prominence which
is given it matter entirely to his adyan-
tage. Notwithstanding this fact. no other
painter here could have displayed SO many
large canvases in this exhibition which
would have as distinctly added TO the gen.
eral enrichment and decorative success of
the galleries on this occasion.
The writer never will forget a gallery
full OF Gains he once saw in New York
There he realized for the first time that
the work of some men, though full of
charming qualities, are best seen sagly.
Many Good Pictures.
There are more good pictures by local
painters in the inaugural exhibition than
were ever got together in any of the
many previous shows of home work given
in this city, and it must be pleasant to
the public to find so much strong WORK sby
Washington painters. One may speak
kindly of weak things when they are the
product of callow. unripe students, but
other inartistic things, by admittedly able
men when they try. one cannot regard with
the same patience One sees in exhibitions in
New York and elsewhere superficial things.
sometimes by famous men, which bear
unmistakable marks of the painful fact
that they were painted, mainly, to sell
VIII these artists never learn that they
jeopardize their good names by sending
to exhibitions pictures not seriously con-
ceived and conscientiously wrought out?
They need not attempt 10 shift the re-
sponsibility to iuries. for no artist was
ever compelled to send a picture.
Triumph for Mrs. Henderson.
The exhibition is a magnificent achieve
ment for Mrs. Henderson and the ladies of
the committee 1t reflects untold honor
upon them and the mastertul men and
women whose choice pictures made il pos
sible.
The exhibition is bound to remain a
notable success and one to date from. The
ladies' long ago wisely declared their in
tention to leave the future conduct of the
annual exhibition to the trustees of the
Corcnran Gallery. and these gentlemen, if
they are not disposed TO undertake the
selection and hanging of the pictures
themselves, will do well TO entrust that
part of the work 10 jury of artists, as
is the universal custom, or TO the Society
of Washington Artists, whose record for
the past ten years certainly justifes such
confidence.
The atrium above where almost one
half of the pictures are shown. is not less