Evening star., 1901-05-18

ishing touches on a large canvas which =
perhaps one of the strongest he has paint
ed. IL is a broad view OF interesting coun-
try scene after storm. just as the rain
clouds are rolling like curtain up from
the horizon. disclosing a narrow Strip OF
lair sky and letting i'm some bright ravs
OF light The passing effect of a moment
successfully captured for all time In this
TOO. a nock of sheep is seen making It's
way toward the foreground adding Ia tho
composition an element of life, but hecom-
ing In no way conspicuous
spencer B. Nichols is engaged upon a peIl
drawing Of an important event connected
with the early history of this city II rep
resents the first meeting Of Federal Lodge
OF Freemasons on Sunday September II,
l's3, In the upper room of a small bousa
on New Jersey avenue, the site of which
now included In the Capitol Grounds.
Ihat most ancient of local Masonic or
ganizations is treating itself to a finely
printed history of its los years of existence.
and its initial meeting has been chosen "a
the one subject of Illustration As the
drawing is to be reduced to a Very small
size to fiji into the text. the artist is n,-,as
sarlly limited to bold strokes and lines bur
the composition exhibits a study of detail
ana wealth of conception that will he n
revelation to the MANY friends of tba
young adventurer in black and white Tba
moment chosen for illustration is thar
wherein the secretary. James Doughertv
Is reading the charter obtained from the
Grand Lodge of Maryland in anticfpatinu of
the laying of the corner stone Of th,. Can't
tol by President Washington three davs
alter the meeting of the newly instituted
lodge. To this reading Worshipful Master
Hoban, architect of the Capitol and tho
White House, and a great character in
the early days of the city is intently list
i he -. 4.
Williamson, master stonemason at the Can
ltol. whose name is engraved on the silver
plate that still rests In the foundations Of
the great building. The original drawing
duly framed, will be exhibited hy Federal
Lodge at the Masonic fair OF 1902
A most creditable exhibition Of pupils
work was held at the Central High School
on Thursday and Friday afternoon I'm the
art department a remarkably good show
ing was made, the walls of all three Of the
spacious rooms set apart for the use Of
these classes being more than well covered
with drawings and water colors. illustrat-
ing the mode of teaching and the scop, of
the course.
Whatever the methods employed ma, ne.
the results were altogether astounding.
for, though this is a public high and not
an art school, the work shown compares
more than favorably with that done i'm the
best art schools. and on account of its
broader scope and greater variety made a
more interesting exhibition.
The charcoal drawings were admira BILE,
especially those done from still-life groims
IN IN whlch color and the simple elements Of
light and shade were expressed large
panel devoted to pen and ink naturaIistic
drawings by the technical students was
one OF the best sections of the exhibit ion
including studies from objects flowers
figures.
much dlrectness, strength and care and
yet showed marked evidences of iudi,id-
uallty. Some three-minute sketches and
others made In half an hour, from simple
poses were an interesting feature of this
section and displayed quick sight and an
accurate grasp of proportions.
SUCH objects as iron lamps, brackets etc
showing the practical application of this
training, were displayed I'm a room on the
nrst moor with other more usual and pro-
sale objects made by the students elecfines
the technical course
The color work too was most attrac-
i've and original. Simple studies of flowers
painted in a straightforward fashion i'm
clear transparent ttnts, made up the Ia rger
portion OF this division and well deserved
the hrst place. Several Of the still-Iife
groups were also admirable especially
when 1t was remembered that they were
In almost every case blocked in with the
color without having been previously
drawn. They were broadly but not care
lessly handled.
Next Monday at Fairfax Va the por-
traits of number of the men whose
names are prominent on the annals of
Fairfax county, will be placed in the his
toric old court house with appropriate cere-
monies. Among them is one of Washing
ton "a copy of the Gilbert Stuart i'm the
Corcoran Gallery by Mr.. +. F. Andrews,
and presented by him to the collection;
one of George Mason of Gunston Hall,
painted by Mr.. Kari Gutherz, and one Of
General Walter Jones by Miss Alice Read
ing Other artists represented will be Miss
Alice Swami, who has painted the por-
traits of Judge John Webb Tyler and Can't
F. ID. Richardson, and Miss Burke of Alex
andria, who has painted those of Lord
Thomas Fairfax and Lord Bryan Fairfax
In the collection are also portraits Of Judge
Henry w. Thomas and Judge D. NJ Chi
chester. The court of the county will be
In session, with Judges Charles E Nicol
and James NJ Love occupying the bench,
and presentation speeches will be made by
Judge James Keith. president of the Vlr-
ginia court of appeals: General Eppa Hum
ton of Warrenton, Mr.. Joseph Packard Of
Baltimore, Mr.. Clarence Cary of New
York and Messrs. H. Walter Moore Rob-
ert f. Lee, jr, and Louis IL. Machen OF
| Fairfax.
Her Only Property.