The times., 1901-05-26

The Collection to BE soon removed
From the HemicycIe of the Cor
coran Art GaIIery-Marked by n
Keen Sympathy for the Pastoral.
Among artists and especially those who
have the real love for animals, and among
laymen. too. for that matter, it will be
a real reason for regret that the ezhipl-
ton Of pictures by Gaylord Sangston
Truesdell which has been open at the
hemicycle of the Corcoran Art Gallery, Is
to be taken down. Through the courtesy
of George Truesdeu, brother of the de-
ceased artist, in whose possession most OF
the pictures were left, the public has had
an opportunity to view them
The opportunity is one that could hardly
at first be estimated at its true worth
Truesden, the artist, is scarcely the ng-
ure in American art that he viii be as
the years 90 by. and the pictures long
stored shall have been exhibited and shall
have been viewed by those who know and
can appreciate the qualities that are pre-
eminent in his art. Many Of the pictures
which hang on the walls OF the hemlcycle
have been, so 10 speak, studio pictures,
and have hung in the artists studio, or
stood unframed against the wall TO be
viewed only by the favored few who had
access to his atelier. And those that are
hung are but moiety Of his life work.
TruesdelI had recognition, first by the
Paris Salon 10 which he had always ac-
cess, through the honor of Medaille 2me
classe. an honor which he shared with
but another American-Sargent- lie had
recognition at home, and Washingtonians,
who have familiarized themselves with
the pictures hung in the COrcoran Art
Gallery. =ia! remember a freshly cOlOred
landscape Of trees in mellow green, with
Woolly sheep and Breton maid in cloak
and cap filling the foreground. That canvas
was bought from Truesdell by the gallery
IN so -
that several Of the great art collectors OF
the country have sought TO buy it-unsuc-
cessfully, for its merits are too obvious
for the CDrcOran Gallery 10 part with IL
Any analysis Of Truesdells work is diff
hculJ. There Is the same difficulty that
Is presented ia the analysis OF oxygen.
Iruesdeil is an element, and he has sim
piicity that battles dissection. 1t seems
that all has been stated when you say,
He is a painter Of animals. That seems
to be the most adequate exposition and
criticism. agd when you proceed further
to elaborate upon that one statement you
seem 70 strike "a JaTring note, for Trues-
deil is neither elehcrative nor discursive.
Your criticism fails ont Of tune with the
spirit Cf the man YOU are attempting 70
. criiisise He is facts-but such facts of
true. ringing in9ti0ni-sentiment, a
few 7rs. and a brush-plus an over
Nhl amount Of animal study and
love - concentration that enables
him %sSf rrTinEly suggest without an ex-
ira bY.sn stroke lust what in sentiment,
has Thought il ail out, imagined it all
out, developed il all OUT long before he
has gut the brush 10 the canvas. And
when hs has come to work. II remains
Cnly Tor him firmly 20 sweep now here.
now th.re. and TO develop primal ideas
Of tone. f9rm. and animal nature
j see ms that TruesdcIIs art arises in
his instructive low" for animals. WHAT
ever else he has developed seems 10 have
centred Itself around that first and urg-
Ing emotion An animal with its dumb
Ecntlmsut. out Of all nature cried TO him
most. and his oiity, Hs IL seemed to him.
was 10 pant that animal 50 man could
see ii as II really is Landscape, sea, air,
and sky were subordinate, and 10 be de
yeloped into perfection as accessories to
tho main and central obiect-animaIs
But Trucsden has a sympathy with
trees and water and sky. and his Derfec-
ton in them Is a monumental evidence of
his energetic and powerfully directed
study Of things natural. Many pictures
in which the animal has been eliminated
purposely, perhaDs-aTc quite as pleasing
as landscapes OF that style usually are
some trees, a few wheat sheaves, a buIg-
ing hay rick or a stretch OF moor-all OF
them 10 tone and feeling exquisite and
fun of the open air spirit
But after all Truesdell is a painter OF
snimals. II seems that he has laid down