The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-08

centre of art interests in America, just as
The Hague is the centre of Dutch art in
terests, and not Amsterdam, the larger
Dutch city and commercial capital
Mr.. Carnegie's interest in art has in the
last decade carried the most important an
nual exhibition in America to the inland
city of Pittsburg and who can be sure that
another decade may not see the city of
Washington conducting the leading art an
nuals and become what it properly should
be-the art centre of America.
An Interesting Art Curio.
Daniel in the Lions Den" is the title Of
a most remarkable water-color now on ex-
hibition here. This picture, 12x3O feet, is
painted entirely on paper, the sheets being
deity Joined and supported by heavy can
vas such as is used for oil paintings. Blon-
din once demonstrated how easily a foot
bridge might be made of a single rope
stretched across the chasm at Niagara. but
the rope never became a popular bridge
theoretically it never has been denied that
a water color of this enormous size could
be painted, but Mr.. Burbanks achieve
ment in this direction is the only one of
which there is any record. 1t is the old
story Of encroaching or the field of an
other art with one which is manifestly no
fair competition in that particular field. Be
it remembered, this picture is not painted
in gausche as theatrical scenery is, which
differs from oil only in one feature that
water and not oil is the substance which
holds the colors in solution. In Burbank's
picture the process is that of wash or
staining the paper, by stipplins and re-
moving the color to procure high
lights-by sponging and blotting out
with blotting paper-a process which
develops a peculiar and delicate quail
ity that is the individual property of
pure aquarille. Any square foot of this
canvas possesses this texture and quality
TO an artistic degree that is altogether
charming. but viewed from the proper dis
lance, far enough away to take in the
whole composition. it lacks that force
which one has right TO expect in so large
a painting. Considered alone as piece of
technique, which is its most distinguished
claim as a work OF art, ii is astonishing
and unique This work is not of the last
ing kind. Neither In draughtsmanship
nor color does It rank with the Italian
and Dutch masters. While in the sixty
years which have gone by since this water
color was painted have arisen in Europe
schools of religious painters whose work
far transcends this English period Of aca-
demic prettiness. This picture is one of
the most interesting art curios known to
the writer and would be valuable addi-
tion of any art museum in the world. To
the doubters, this sixty-year-old water
color with its finely preserved qualities OF
color and tone is conclusive proof OF the
permanent character OF water-color pic
lures. Oil cannot justly claim TO be more
enduring.
The Veerhoff gallery last week was ablaze
with the most magnificent lot OF frames
that were ever shown there. The pictures
these frames contain are of so low grade
Of art that they merit no critical atten-
ton. Mr. Hilliard is a prosperous and
agreeable gentleman, but the splendor-
as to frames-of his advent into Wash
ington, while it does credit to his bust
ness segacity is not calculated to make
friends for him among the earnest paint
ers here.
The second annual fake exhibition at
The League is simply a lot OF sketches
and contrivances catalogued and bur
lesquing the pictures shown at the
Society OF Washington Artists annual ex-
hibition now being held at their galleries
on Connecticut Avenue. The humor and
ingenuity is probably superior to that