Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-30
THE SIXTH ANNUAL
Creditable Exhibition of the Wash
ington Water Color Club
PRIVATE VIEW LAST EVENING
Pictures Much Admired by Lovers
of Art.
OPEN TO THE PU b l. t

The sixth annual exhibition of the Wash
ington Water Color Club opened today IN
the HemicycIe of the Corcoran Gallery OF
Art The reception and private view was
held last evening when, from to II
O'Clock the gallery was thronged by the
friends of the artists and guests OF the ciup-
The phenomenal showing made last year
has caused this exhibition to be looked for
ward to with more than usual interest, ana
for several weeks the possibility of its up
holding the splendid standard then at
tanned has been a theme of frequent con-
lecture
That this fete has been accomplished is
now an established fact, for, though there
are less striking pictures shown, fewer out
of-toWn exhibitors, and even hfty less mum
bers in the catalogue. the general average
has been by no means lowered There Is
nothing perhaps more impressive about the
exhibition. as a whole. than its seriousness
All the paintings show the result OF earn
est study and have been executed with
thoughtful care. Technique is subservient
to effects, but is not sacrificed for striking
originality. There is visible strainlng
after forced or dramatic picturesqueness,
but rather a liberal rendering of facts and
truthful interpretations of nature The re-
markable evenness from point of merit Will
probably weigh against the exhibition TO
casual observers: for, though comparisons
may be odiOus, sharp contrasts often en-
phasize virtues as well as shortcomings.
1t will. however. strongly recommend it to
those who look and lingerie painters, con-
noisseurs and to all who genuinely appre-
ciate good work
Interest Aroused.
Though in past years, as now, these ex-
hibitions have compared most faToTably
with the more prominent American an
nuals and have aroused small amount
of interest, they have failed to receive, in
the matter of sales, that mark of substan-
tiaI apprecia ton which is not only a nee
essary stimulus TO the artist. but an in
ducement to Out-of-town artists to become
exhibitors. Yet if Washington is ever to
become the art center it doubtless should,
IL must be not only through the praise
worthy accomplishment of its painters, but
also by the hearty cooperation of the gen
eraI public. 1t was with this in view and
in the hope of awakening interest, inviting
competition, and at the same time impair
TALLY rewardng real merit that the trustees
of the Corcoran Gallery determined last
year to offer two prizes of 800 and 500, re-
spectively. to the best two water colors
shown at the exhibition. :.
When this first jury of awards met and
viewed the pictures it will be remembered
that they asked permission of the trustees
TO make the awards to the TWO exhibitors
showing collectively the best work, under
which conditions Mr.. w. III. Holmes was
named for the first honor. He. however,
being hors concours, 1t was given to Mr..
James Henry Moser, and Miss Bertha Per-
RE for the second This year the wording
of the offer was again altered so that COM
petitors We're not restricted to medium,
which allowed pastels and black and white
to enter on equality with the water COL
ors. and vastly increased the already more
than difficult task of the jury of awards.
Mr.. a. j. Parsons, Mr.. Harold Macdonald
and Mr.. II. y. Brooke composed this jury,
and. after careful study and elaboration,
announced their decision as follows: First
prize to portrait mo DOL in paStelS, by
Jane Bridgham Child, and second prize to
Evening" (French coasp, water color,
by II. Hobart Nichols.
The First Prize winner.
The winner of the first award is, indeed,
one of the strongest and most convincing
pieces of work shown. ard was accorded
by the hanging committee the position of
prominence, midway round the semi-circu-
lar wall 1t is not only excellent like
ness and an admirable painting, but pos
sesses that paradoxical active repose which
characterized the great English portraits
but is seldom seen in those of the present
day Not far to the left of this hangs Mrs
Childs illustrative composition. The Pot
OF Basil, a picture SO pathetically appeal
ing, so rich in color harmony and so skill
full in handling, that it must needs attract
attention III whatever collection it should
De placed. ana cannot fail 10 get a firm
mold IN the memories of all who see it
now NO more usual or less nsistent is
her Brown Topaz, which hangs in the
same relative position to the right-a study
OF young woman with red hair of a me
tallic hue. wearing rich robe of pink bro
cade- with the light concentrated in the
background
From these it is natural to pass to the
other portrait studies. and at once one is
struck with their great diversity. Never
perhaps. IN a small exhibition was there
more variety of style shown in this special
branch. for between these of Mrs Oh. DIS
No az. there is sharp contrast, as there
play an important part. and the loose airy
work of Mrs. Barney. which is exhibited in
No 40. there is sharp contrast as there
is between that and the rich dun Velas-
unPZ-llEP M Nat
Hobart Nichols has presented facts in a
more literal strain in his portrait Of him
self. called "A Pose" aud Miss Burdette
has struck a new note. gently and appeal
ing. in her Girl in Blue while Miss Sands
and Wilhelmina Nichols both add distirc-
i've interpretations to this notable coIlec-
ton.
Landscapes.
As is usual, the landscapes are in an
overwhelming majority. In style they are
much less varied than the portrait studies
but In composition they could scarce be
more so, as they picture not only nearby
familiar scenes, but those from the far-orf
stranger lands OF Egypt, Mexico. Hawaii,
the West Indies. Alaska England and
France A remarkable feature this when
1t is known that they all bear recent dates
and are by local artists. OF all ,nese nat
urally the most notable is Mr. Nichols
Moonlight on the French Coast" which
hangs. by odd coincident, next to the right
of the winner of the first prize. 1t Is a
somewhat commonplace composition made
interesting by its poetic. Interpretation. Low
IN tone, atmospheric in quality, and exceed
ing simple and direct in treatment are
merits which characterize his interesting
Bit Of Old Montreal and Moonlight in
Ptcardy," the latter a forcefu painting
OF a sleeping town, old bridges and road
way.
by Last Years Honor Winners.
Inc honor winners OF last year. Mr..
Holmes and Mr.. Moser, are again we'll rep
resented-Mr. Holmes by six, Mr. Moser
oy -FOUR exhibits. In Going to Market in
the Early Morning. jamaica" and 1.-THE
Mexican Coast at Carmin." Mr. Holmes has
successfully introduced figures. His Sun