The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-22

cal Work-F1nns Completed Tor n
Two weeks show-senntor Depew
to MIKE an Address at the Open
ing-The Hahnemann Monument.
Mr.. Fred B. Mcclure was reared in an
| the earliest local collectors who possessed
| a private gallery. II is probably an acct
| dent of circumstance that Mr.. Mcclure
DID not make art his profession, TO: the
love OF pictures has been with him life
time passion. His long connection with
the Corcoran Gallery of Art as a trustee
has enabled him to crafty his taste ard
| promote art interests in all directions In
different TO fads and free from cant, this
gentleman is bluff man. but those paint
ers whose privilege it has been TO enjoy
his acq- aintance know that, in spite #
his brusque manner, he is at heart SYM
pathetic and encouraging friend. who I'M
! derstands the difficulties which beset the
| struggling artist, and is ever ready TO lend
| hand. The appointment of Mr.. Mcclure
| 10 the office Of art director places one of
| the best-known trustees in that important
J III.
| Gently most acceptably performed Cy the
| late Dr. Barbarin. In the selection of this
able and cultivated Washingtonian fer
| this responsible and influential position,
| the trustees nave acted wisely. for the ap
| pointment assures continuance CT hat
| intelligent conservative, and level-he l1ed
| policy which has made the Corcoran the
| most American of American art galleries.
| and dn institution known and Respected
| UhnnI hQ art 'ha Itrb
| building is an architectural gem OF sue h
| classic excellence that il is likely in its
| old age TO command the respect and al
| miration of architects quite as much as t
| does now.
| Under most suspicious circumstances
| does the Corcoran start the new century
! Mr.. Corcoran builded better than he knew.
| This noble philanthropy is one Of which
| the city and the nation are justly proud
and it's usefulness will not diminish. but
| increase TO the end of time for there is
| nothing more humaniZing than well di-
| rected aesthetic influences. Much has been
| done in the past and more is certain 20
| be accomplished in the future encourage
| ment of american art. How much cannot
| be told. but OF this one may be very sure:
Mr.. Corcorans name will ever be held in
| grateful remembrance by the people who
| shall come under the good influence of this
The dates for the great two-weeks' in
augural exhibition of local art with which
| the Hemicycle is to be opened have at
| last been determined upon. May will
be the grand opening reception-the one
evening view that is to be given. Artists
and their wives will assist the ladies and
the trustees in doing the honors on that
great occasion, which is certain to eclipse
every former effort here to do honor to
the local guild of art workers
notable feature which has been added
to the programme will be the presentation
Of portrait Of General Grant painted by
A. Muller Try, the gift to the Corcoran
Gallery from Jefferson Seligman, Esq, of
New York. The presentation speech will
be made by Senator Depew. The Senator
is friend of artists and may be counted
upon to say some pleasant things about
the fraternity in general and the local
painters in particular,
The ladies with characteristic kindliness
and generosity have gone to the limit of
acceptability in the matter OF selecting
pictures, and the consequence is there will
be a thoroughly catholic showing of all
schools and kind of art. Everybody here
who paints seriously viii be encouraged
by representation and the stronger artists
will make showings so extensive that one
may form a clear idea of the ability OF his
or her favorite painter. Pictures will not
be collected by the committeeman artist
must deliver his or her pictures at the
Corcoran Gallery. north entrance on Sat
urday, April rs, between the hours of
and 4. All pictures must have titles
name and address OF artist. price If foi
sale, or name of owner if loaned plainly
written on back of picture Too much
| care cannot be taken in the matter of writ
| ing plainly. 1t is distinctly TO the artists
interest 10 DO this, and it is hoped due
caution Will be observed on that point.
There VIII be no catalogue. A card bear
ing the fullest information will be placed
on the frame of each picture.
There is in Henry Hammond Ahl's paint
ing of Christ, now on exhibition at 437
| Seventh Street, an element of mystery
| which is calculated TO make this picture
more widely known than any of the single
| paintings of the Trilby sort pictures of
| greater or less artistic excellence, which
! go the rounds of the cities for especial ex-
| hibition. The curious will find II immense
| ly interesting. for the simple conventional
| figure of Christ stands clearly relieved
against blue and white sky-no cross ap-
, pears under the light, but when the room
where the picture is shown is made alb
| solutely dark, this figure bearing a cross
stands out clearly against field of light
| just as distinctly as do the numbers stand
out on the phosphorescent face of the dial
| of a night clock. The effect is precisely
| the same only the stories are different
| The clock man says he did IL and tells
| how and why. Mr.. Ali denies all knowledge
| of or intention to make an effect of this
| description. He claims that he staggered
| into his studio" in the dark, nervous and
! despairing over his serious ard mighty eff
| fort to make great picture Of Christ and
| was astounded to the picture trans
| formed into moonlight of great beauty
| and suggestiveness, with the figure of
| Christ bearing cross silhouetted against
| the sky. Here is his story as il appears
| in the business-like circular of press clip
| pings which go with the picture:
! He thought over the subject so deeply that he
| could not sleep-his nervous system became work
| cd up TO such degree that he would get up in
| the night 10 think the subject.
shall realize the tenderness, the beauty.
the simplicity, the pathos, the agony OF CHRISTI
| he thought.
He became worked up 10 such a degree that he
knew not what to do. lie could think Of nothing
| but the palld face Of Christ.
One night he awoke with a start and found him.
| self tIsG:'ling with emotion
Gasping for breath he spTang out Of bed and
ST iggered into his studio
AT first he confused-thon he started lack
| with an exclamation, for as he stood before his
| picture OF the Saviour he could see it, although
the room dark.
Startled he looked again. He was not mistaken
| The figure stood out from luminous bach ground
and behind il WAS the shadow Of a cross
The artist had painted no cross Could his
brush have accidentally formed one?