The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-17
there are Raeburns the peer of this, but 1
cannot recall n-n A white haired Stniif

there are Raeburns the peer of this, but
cannot recall ose. A white-haired, stout
old gentleman in black. seated at table
by window. The chair is cushioned with
olive. The table cover, on which rest
books and documents, is also green. The
background is one unbroken velvety dark
ness which absorbs completely the outline
on the shadow side of the figure. The win
dow is obscured, but the light-toned broad
window jamb indicates the direction
from which the light comes. yellow
orange curtain is gracefully caught up.
The old gentleman's white stock, silk
stockings and low buckled shoes are most
artistically treated and this is true OF ev-
cry detail of the picture. 1t is altogether
one of those perfect things which it is SO
comforting to study. for one finds no flaws.
only new notes of charming color and sub
tie relations. One hand holds letter
while the other rests on the table.
AS it should be, the head is the grand
triumph to which all the rest is but a
pleasing accompaniment. Painted with
freedom and consummate skill. this head
is one of the most living things / ever
saw on canvas. The lips are parted. There
is mystery and suggestiveness about the
expression as II the subject sitting there
was surely about to speak. There are
portrait painters today who equal this
tain this marvellous color and tone. One
would like to know II it really looked as
fine as this when 1t was painted 1t would
be interesting to know just how much
of this pictures superb beauty is due to
the hundred years that have come and
gone since it was painted.
The other masterpiece In this collection
is Rosa Bonheur's Stag Hound" also life
size. This is the greatest marvel of ami
NAL painting / ever saw. inasmnch as 1t
reaches the high artistic color or tonal
note which the Raeburn possesses, and at
the same time is profoundly real. am at
a loss to describe It. Those precious quail
tiles one occasionally finds in a choice
Troyon are here. The knowledge Of ami
mails, and deft technique Of Landseer as
we'll, but with an infinitely more true and
virile touch.
Absorbed by the artistic qualities Of
this picture. one cannot help feeling the
pathos OF the simple. homely old animal
and sympathizing with him in the touch
of sadness which comes to even the lower
animals with declining years.
Next in rank-but space will not permit
more than brief reference to them,
though they are very beautiful and artis-
tic examples OF the men representative
two small Corots One of an old doorway to
a church is particularly unique. Lher-
mites "Harvesters at Rest" is one Of
those solid bits Of drawing and unos-
tentatious color which the student wisely
adores
tiny picture of sheep grazing on a
hillside is one of Jaques' best. Small as it
is. it makes clear that he was the great
est master of sheep portraiture.
Lavery's Garden in France" is large
picture of some ladies seated at table in
a garden on a river bank. Flecks OF sun
light fall here and there through the leaves,
and broadly treated as Sargent or Zorn,
which 1t resembles, it is exceedingly true
and real. flower picture. still life, by
G. Todd. of London. a new name to me.
is a very simple composition Of weeds,
grasses, wild roses, and peoples in
wine bottle, and resting also on plain
deal table. is some knitting work. 1t is
gem In a field of art where gems are all
too rare.
There are two good, green, woodsy land
scapes by Caesar De Cock In this collec-
ton. This painters treatment is exceed
ingly true, and one cannot help wishing
to meet with larger examples Of his NO X.
Tanners "Annunciation" is one of the
strong, masterful pictures. and opposite
hangs Harrison's 1.-THE Grand Mirror" a
splendid and very original picture, from
the shore, when the sea is like looking
glass.
Raffaellis "Repose" is fine technically.
but is otherwise most uninteresting.
Bastian Lepage's I'm the Fields is la
and thoughtfully painted. and re-
veals his great skill. but is not attractive
in composition. Ricos' Landscape" en-
sland in a river, is a choice bit, and rather
novel for him.
There is a big uninteresting Vollon.
and near by superb chase which
puts the great high priest OF still life
to shame There are fairly good cx-
amples OF Diaz, Daubgney, Dupre, Mum