Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-08

architectural drawings by Mr.. George KEEL
Ter, among them most notably his design
for the much-talked-of Memorial Bridge
over the Potomac. It will be remembered
that this architect entered a plea against
the plan proposed by the board" critics.
ing 1t sharply in several particulars, which
caused considerable controversy and called
forth the comment that 1t was easier to
find fault than to suggest Improvement.
Partly to disprove this statement and to
give tangible form to his suggestions Mr..
Keller drew the elaborate plans now on
exhibition.
X
Miss Bertha E. Perrie will have a water
color exhibition at her studio. sos 18th
street, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
afternoons of next week.
An Exhibition of Oil Paintings by
Joseph Jefferson.
The second exhibition of oil painting by
Joseph Jefferson to be held in this city
will open on Monday in V. G. Fischer's
gallery.
Mr. Jefferson holds so large place in the
hearts of the American people that any
exhibition of his works would anywhere
command interest and attention, were 1t
even Of the most amateursh character;
but, as those who were privileged to see
his sixteen canvases shown last fall will
testify, the great actor is likewise a great
painter. There will indeed be no cause for
frIdugent criticism here, for were the
paintings unsigned and their painters name
unwhspered, none to whom real art re-
vealS itself would fail to pause before them
recognizing in them the work of a master
Though this will come to many as no sur
prise it will be even more a subject of
wonder as to where and how he, amid the
manifold demands upon his time, found
hours enough to accomplish not only the
n chnyx
There are fifty-five pictures shown in all,
being thirty-nine more than last season,
ana they mostly represent the work of the
past few years. In some there is a CLINT of
Corot, Daublgny, Gainsborough and other
great painters but there is a personality
about them all, an individuality that marks
them as the work of one who sees nature
with his own eyes and interprets it &C
cordingly. Knowing Mr.. Jeffersons genial,
gentle character. one would be induced to
look for quiet and sunny pictures from his
nrush, put such these are not, but though
their style and subjects are widely diverse
note of strength and powerful solemnity
pervades them ALL No great winds or
tumult, but the awe-inspiring voice, Of
nature, whose silence Is more stirring than
the loudest voice. Perhaps here and there
in the whole collection connoisseurs might
point to trifiing technical shortcomings, but
In the majority technique is altogether
subservient to effect.
In some of the canvases figures have been
introduced, but in none are they prominent
serving in most cases merely as means
whereby nature may be measured. The
largest paintings, and possibly the most
mastery in the entire collection. 1t pic
lures mighty oak standing aloof from it's
fellows on brush-grown hillside, over
which 1T spreads it's limbs in giantlike
majesty. The time is of the afterglow, for
the sunset hues are just fading from the
sky and an air of poetical mystery enwraps
the whole. Gray and brown hues predomi-
nd io1
lost in the perfect harmony of the painting
Massachusetts Bay" is an even more am
bilious subject, and no less well handled
An angry sea is roaring on the rocky head
land and swirling madly here and there,
while above the lowering clouds have
broken, making window through which
the heavenly rays are falling.
Numbers % and AZ, mountain brook and
waterfall, contrast Interestingly with this
the babbling play with the mad fury Of the
same element. The Mill Brook and Mill
In the Valley are both charming and in a
different strain. The latter is a large can
vas, much in the old English style en-
bracing wide sweep of country and much
detail, all of which, however, is painted to-
gether, each part being the auxiliary to the
rest This unity of composition is also spe-
cially observable in the Peaceful Valley"
which Is one of the gems of the collection.
Not unlike this in style or thought though
simpler, is the one called Farmers Re-
treat" a small canvas but most poetical.
varied style, being painted with a careful
finish and attention to outline not noticea-
BILE in the others. THE Old Road" Doves
Rest" and Dangerous Crossing are all
large, strong paintings, displaying great
understanding and love of nature The
Broken Tree is monotint and most in
teresting, done in the grayest brown, of
which the artist is most fond. Indeed, no
vivid greens intrude themselves in the
whole exhibition, no crudeness nor startling
combination of color, but quiet, mastery
Interpretation of nature, combined with an
element Of poetic dreams before which we
must stand in silent reverence.
A great privilege is offered the people of
Washington, and doubtless many will enjoy
1t during the next three weeks. Mr..
Fischer is to be warmly congratulated upon
such opening for the season, as well
as upon the attractive souvenir catalog
which he has issued for this exhibition. It
contains an admirable steel engraving Of
Mr.. jefferson and a pen and ink sketch Of
him at his easel, as we'll number Of
excellent reproductions of his paintings.
Some critical reprints Of the press may also
be found among its pages, of which ac-
count of visit to Mr.. Jefferson's home,
on Buzzard's bay, by VIM. P. Bodwell, is
specially interesting.