The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1900-02-17
The William /. Evans Exhibition
and Sale.
Dear Courier:

certain amount OF self. assertiveness is
laudable; it indicates the consciousness
OF worth and it promises to give neces-
.sary evidence in due time. The AmeIi-
can art world has established it's exist
ence 10 the modern armament. its orbit
or right OF way is recognized ana re-
spected at home and abroad, its precise
proportions relative to other such
worlds are yet unknown, but they are Of
looming importance in the minds OF the
rejecting. and it is good sign that the
metropolis Of America is giving the place
of honor this winter to exhibitions Of
native work. Last season phases Of
French impressionism seemed to be the
feature in prominence-DeM onvel at
the American Art galleries, Claude
Monet at the Union League club, Sisley
at the Durand .Ruel galleries, Mon ,ecelli
at the Avery gallery. Renoir, Pissarro,
Cassatt, Chavannes names rep
resent the character Of last winters ex-
hibitions few amenities, indeed. and
leaving out two or three names, very
little beauty, some Of us thought. It
was relief to descend from this cheer
less boulder-strewn summit to the less
aspiring impressionism of our own kith
and kin who,as spring drew near, spread
their canvases before us-Robert Reid.
Tarbell, Childe Hassam, Lungren, Wal
ker, Mrs. eliminating in
the Clarke collection treasures.
Let US confess that the work Of our
Americans is fsirer in our eyes than the
works of.the children of strangers, and
it is with deep satisfaction that We find
ourselves gravitating this winter to our
own sgain. The impulse which gave
direction to the present movement was
no doubt furnished by the most inter-
eeting incident OF last February-the ex-
hibition at the American Art galleries
and subsequent sale at Chickering hall
of the Thomas B. Clarke collection, rep
resentipg exclusively American artists.
1t was notable event and established
most satisfactorily the growing pecu-
mary value Of our national art. The
sale of the Evans collection, accom-
plished this week at Chickering hall. is
second apprising Of our art product,
which shows that American pictures
have acquired the proud virtue
of being safe investments for unem-
pioyed capital. Mr.. Evans handsome
mansion in Seventy-fifth street was
known to be crowded with this sort Of
treasure the favored had seen his white
and gold music room "a setting for the
fancies, sportive or symbolic, and in at
tenusted tints like tapestry designs, OF
F. s. Church it was rumored that he
had a unique collection Of splendid
landscape pieces and New Workers have
greatly enjoyed a glance at these things.
About sixteen years ago Mr.. Evans sold
all his European pictures, to replace
them with American once, and it is
hoped that he will continue his enthu-
siastic patronage Of native art, thus re-
investing the proceeds Of this sale, which
amounted to one hundred fifty-eight
thousand five hundred dollars.
Your correspondent. in visiting the ex-
hibition at the American Art galleries
on Saturday, did not experience any
thing quite equal to the surprise and
pleasure, almost describable az de-
lightful shock, which sone textures Of
the Clarke collection last winter pro-
duced, especially the magnificent Wins
low Homer canvases. The galleries
s..k