Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
AR NO TES.

AT intervals the head of an art commits
sion scheme appears above the surface of
the sweeping tide of events. Its sur
vival after having gone down the allotted
three times and something more argues
hopeful vitality and a chance of final
rescue.
The subject is up again, and those who
have an interest in its welfare have pre-
pared a bill for the consideration of Con-
gress, which aims to secure the creation OF
such commission.
The central idea of the bill is the future
development of Washington along aesthetic
lines, and the query is propounded whether
a grand homogeneous scheme shall be de-
vised that will be a future monument to
the present age or whether the present
haphazard methods shall continue Fur
Their on the bill refers to the contemplated
improvements, as follows: Congress has
under consideration at the present time a
memorial bridge to Arlington, a boulevard
through the Mall, the enlargement OF the
Executive Mansion, a municipal building
for the District of Columbia, a hall of rec
ords. Supreme Court and numerous stat
ues and buildings for future use" The ap-
pointing of commission is then recon-
mended to secure data, contour and re-
lief maps of the Mall. the Potomac river
and Arlington. and their relations to the
Executive Mansion, the Capitol and sur
rounding parts of the city. A list of the
buildings contemplated which the govern
ment will need in the future. with their re-
quirements. should be carefully studied
and formulated: Then a commission,
composed of architects sculptors and land
scape engineers. should draw up scheme
for a competition. such one as would in
duce the best artists, sculptors and other
specialists to take part.
Although art is immortal, the artist is
not. He may feast his soul on the frail
beauty of a lily or forget his earthly bonds
in the intoxicatton of q sunset. but the
gross necessities of ordinary life must feed
the fires of his genius, and an ironical fate
hedges him about with difficulties He is
a producer of luxuries. the first to feel the
stringency in times of financial depression
and the last to rally therefrom. Even in
times of general prosperity he is often
overlooked.
X
A glance at the financial results of the
exhibition of the Society of Washington
Artists, just closed, is, by the way, not en-
couraging to the painters nor creditable to
the city. Washington is not developing
with the younger cities of the country IN
artistic appreciation. Denver and other
cities Of the far west making wonder
full progress. Exhibitions follow one an
other in rapid succession and receive the
support of the people, while Pittsburg, the
despised, with its schools and galleries, is
becoming a rival to the older cities of the
east. 1t is interesting at least to consider
the fact that four of the Washington art
lists whose works were shown in the local
exhibition just closed, where they were not
credited with a single sale, aggregated $500
for five of their pictures at the recent ex-
hibition Of the American Water Color So
ciety in New York.
Washington is treated from time to time
to exhibitions of pictures of more or less
merit, in which the works of art show,
are surrounded with inca ndescent lights and
plush hangings. There is a picture to he
seen at present in 18th street store room
which is at least a departure in that it
shows TO the best advantage in absolute
darkness. 1t is the work of Henry Ham
mond Ali, and is entitled I'm the Shadow
of the Cross The canvas measures fouf.
by seven feet and represents the Savior |
standing in the middle of a field, clad in the !