The Washington times., 1901-12-22

On Thursday a collection OF paintings
By Lucien W Powell and portraits by
Narkosky. the Princess Lwon, Benjamin
Constant. Henry Floyd. and Math.lde
Ncuden was thrown oren TO public view
in the hemicyolc OF the Corcoran Gallery
Of Art. None Of the pictures is for sale,
all Of them being the property Of Mrs.
John b. Henderson. \ private view Of the
pictures. ON Invitations issued by the
trustees. was given on the 18th.
The paintings BY Mr.. Powell by far out
number the portraits. and are mostly Of
scenes in Venice. There are also several
large paintings Of scenes in the gorges OF
tho Yellowstone. These latter are the re
suits OF Mr. Powelrs sojourE in Yellow
stone Park two years ago In them the
artists knowledge Of construction and ad
miraDie handling Of color are well shown.
bat it is ne Venetian scenes that VIII
without doubt command the largest
share OF attention, not only from the
general public. but from artists as well
Venice has formed the theme for so
many and such great masters Of the arts
OF poetry and painting that it is almost
impossible for lesser man to enter that
enchanted domain and avoid the charge
of imitation II a man sees color as
Turner saw IT, for example. and dares TO
try 10 put it on canvas as he sees IT, he
must forthwith be accused of Initiating
Turner. Mr. Powell has been student Of
Turner. and his work shows the influence
OF that master, yet no one who views the
pictures now on exhibition in the hemi
cycle can fail to be impressed by the ar
lists sturdy individuality.
Striking as is Mr. Powen's work in
color. and daring as are his effects Of bril-
liant light and aqueous shadow. h has not
let the love OF IL run away with MIN. All
OF the pictures exhibit a basis Of sound
drawing The rocks are rocks. the bridges
are bridges. the water Is water-not mere
ly nondescript something's with q splash
of brilliant sunlight Upon them. II is this
knowledge OF construction and mastery OF
texture combined with his true artistic
perception Of how far to 20 without OK
ageerating an effect, that make his work
convincing and lift il above the level OF
the commonplace.
All the arts arc one, and every emotion
capa bic Of expression may be given body
in color or In sound. Some theorists have
advanced the idea that every hue has its
corresponding musical tone. However
that may bo. thers are certainly pictures
that suggest the quality OF sound. The
hngclus' OF Mllet Is one of these one
who looks at IT, II ne be Of . nature re
sponsiye TO such things. falls into sym-
patby with the listening peasants and
hears in spirit the distant bells that I'LL
the atmosphere with melody.
Turner possessed this power. Mr.. Pow
ell has a certain measure OF il. and it is
one OF the best proofs that his art is not
a seryile imitation OF Turner's. The fac
ulty is inimitabIe; il is not a trick Of the
brush that can be caught from master.
II must be possessed.
The mystery and the beauty Of Venice
the charm of her crumbling palaces shad
owy arches sun washed waves and sails
are expressed by The artist in poetic and
daring manner. He has caught her "smil
ing, with a look Of Heaven on her face"
MIR Powell is growing in power His
latest work is his bert There are in the
exhibition some fifty-odd water-oolor
sketches. painted b. Mr. Powell during
his stay in Venice tf= last SUMMER. They
are labeled $ -cu.~r's Work.
Criticism Is. after all, only an individ
uai expression OF opinion, and 1t is very
easy matter for one person to become so
enthusiastic IN the appreciation II GER
tain merits In the work of an artist as to
blind himself 10 flaws that his neighbor
would stigmatize as glaring. Yet 1t Is
thought that most people who look at
Mr.. Powelrs work will pronounce It
strong. thoughtful. aud convincing aud