The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06


The place Of honor on the south wall Of
the Hemicycle Gallery. Immediately oppo-
site TroubetsLoy, is occupied by a great
picture OF Gutherz. It is a noble conpo-
sition. imaginative and brilliant OF large
and commanding proportions. This
picture. and several others Of its size and
class by this artist makes clear the strong
grounds for his distinguished Partisan rep
utation. and lifts measurably the stand
ard Of the exhibition. These pictures. rev.
erent and sincere, have about them the at
mosphere Of Fra Angelico's time, and are
supported by marked technical excellence.
II is but fair TO add. and the writer does
So regretfully. that none Of the more re-
Gently painted things which Mr.. Gutherz
contributes to the exhibition merits such
unqualified praise-and Mr.. Gutherz is one
of the largest exhibitors.
Lucien Powell TANKS the large Gutherz
on the south wall with two fine dramatic
and colorful things Of Nenice-rich and
brilliant These imposing TuTneresque
pictures are most effectively placed and the
high average of excellence Of his numer-
Gus pictures as to composition and color
is remarked by everyone. There IS not,
however sufficient variety in his work 10
make the extraordinary prominence which
is given It a matter entirely to his adyan-
tage. Notwithstanding this fact no other
painter here could have displayed so many
large canvases in this exhibition which
would have as distinctly added TO the gen
eral enrichment and decorative success Of
the galleries on this occasion.
The writer never will forget a gallery
full OF Gains he once saw in New York.
There he realized for the first time that
the work Of some men, though full Of
charming qualities, are best seen singly.
Many Good Pictures.
There are more good pictures by local
painters in the inaugural exhibition than
were ever got together in any Of the
many previous shows of home work given
in this city. and It must be pleasant to
the public to find so much strong work by
Washington painters. one may speak
kindly OF weak things when they are the
product Of callow unripe students but
other inartistic things, by admittedly able
men when they try, one cannot regard with
the same patience. one sees in exhibitions In
New York and elsewhere superficial things
sometimes by famous men, which bear
unmistakable marks Of the painful fact
that they were painted mainly, to sell.
VIII these artists never learn that they
jeopardize their good names by sending
10 exhibitions pictures not seriously con-
ceived ana conscientiously wrought out
They need not attempt 10 shift the re-
sponsibility to iuries. for no artist was
ever compelled to send a picture.
Triumph for Mrs. Henderson.
The exhibition is a magnificent achieve
mont for Mrs. Henderson and the ladies Of
the committee. It reflects untold honor
upon them and the masteriul men and
sible.
The exhibition is bound to remain a
notable success and one to date from. The
ladies long ago wisely declared their in
tention to leave the future conduct of the
annual exhibition to the trustees Of the
Corc0ran Gallery, and these gentlemen, if
they are not disposed to undertake the
selection and hanging Of the pictures
themselves, will do well to entrust that
part OF the work TO a jury Of artists as
is the universal custom, or to the Society
Of Washington Artists, whose record for
the past ten years certainly justiies such
confidence
The atrium above where almost one
half Of the pictures are shown. is not less
interesting nor less attractive or prefer
able as TO light or location than the Henri
cycle itself Here the place Of honor is
held by Macdonalds great picture Of the
Secretary Of the Treasury, and here also.
are the water colors, and they are quite
as important and distinguished for artistic
qualities as the oil exhibit in the Henri |
cycle.
The Macdonald portrait OF Secretary |
Gage was reviewed at length I'm this col |
umn when IL was recently shown at the |
Society. Those Of Judges McKenna and |
Kelley are portraits also by Macdonald |
displayed on this wall. The former is a |
picture Ct downright realism. yet most |
agreeable. 1t seems, indeed, odd 10 speak