Evening star., 1901-03-30
A RT NOTE s.

fAS diitdus Inc StdIp tic
annual exhibitions of the Society of WASH
ington Artists and the Washington Archi-
tectural Club opened In the Corcoran Gal
lery with a private view and reception on
Wednesday evening. q The entire gallery
was thrown open, and from $50 to IL
o'clock was thronged bygthe friends of
the artists and architects. The canvases
and drawings appeared to'tgood advantage
under the brilliant and somewhat trying
illuminations, and congratulations and ex-
pressions of enthusiastic praise were heard
on every side. i
In many ways this was memorable oc-
casion, for not only was It the first time
these exhibitions have been held Jointly,
but that either of them has been in the
Corcoran Gallery. 43oth, too, have altered
their general and established character
this year, the architects exhibit being of
much wider scope than ever heretofore, and
that of the artists no longer of merely
local work, but representative of the best
living American painters.
The catalogue of the architectural eXhi-
btion is elaborate affair." containing
some fifty full-page half-tone illustrations
and a short, readable Introduction, which
sets forth the aims of the exhibition, gives
a few facts concerning the profession and
it's IDEALS explains the scope and nature OF
the architectural clubs, and, after making
some suggestions concerning the manner
of conducting government competitions,
highly commends the work done in The su-
pervising architects office of the treasury
since it's reorganization.
The catalogue of the society'S exhibition
is much less pretentious, but as an index OF
exhibits much more useful and charmlnsiy
unique in that the pictures have been con-
SecutiVely numbered. For many years TINS
has been the custom in English exhibitions,
but here it is quite unusual, for sufficient
time is rarely allowed between the day
when the pictures are received and the
date of opening to permit them to be hung
before they are catalogued consequently
number is as often found beside 16 or
10 as rs or fillmore often, In fact-and
much turning of the pages of the catalogue
necessitated, which not only is confusing,
but annoying.
Already very general interest has been
eyinced in this exhibition, for the Hemi-
cycle has been well filled at all times
since the opening by appreciative visitors
and by Thursday afternoon two pictures
were ticketed sold" One of these was
the painting by Mr.. Richard n. Brooke
called Evening, which received the Far
sons prize of 800 offered to the best land
scape by Washington artist-as announc-
ed in our illustrated review of the exhi-
bitions Wednesday. 1t is a charmingly
sketchy little picture, representing slmple,
natural bit of country-merely some wheat
stacks in yellow stubble field, as seen In
the pale evening light, the silvery full
moon being but barely above the horizon,
yet SO 1uu OF atmosphere Is lt-ol SoI@'
rich color and a certain quiet restfulness-
that it must needs appeal to all. me COL
lection of miniatures has attracted very
great attention and called forth enthu-
siastic praise-especially those five by Miss
Laura Combs Hills of Boston, of which the
one entitled THE Fire Opaf' received the
second prize awarded by the trustees Oh
the Corcoran.
Miniatures are usually inclined toward
dainty prettiness rather than the strength
and breadth that recommends an oil paint
ing, but these seem to combine all those
best painters qualities and add to them an
ideal picturesquenesS that Is wonderfully
beautiful. The Fire Opal is picture of
an attractive young girl dressed in dainty
evening gown of white and seated on
diyan with an open book In her lap. THE
Gold Fish may be the same maiden with
unloosed locks fancifully seen against
rich, flaming background. "A Study in
Pinks'' is quaint and pretty and marked
by the same frmness of line and transpa-
rency of color as these others OF her two
portraits one is rather remarkable; done in
heavy dark color with a little dash and
hint of rapid impression that is very at
tractive and unlike usual methods as it
is the others of the group. Miss Alice G.
Fosters miniature of Mrs j. Stanley
Brown is exceedingly good and far above
the average, as are those by Mrs. Decker
and Mrs. Isabel E. Smiths pretty portray
al of St. Cecilia.
In short, this eleventh annual is an eX-
hbition of which not only the artists but
all Washingtonians may feel justly proud
X *
A very interesting collection of etchings
is now on exhibition in the Veerhor gall
lery. 1t consists chiefly of the productions
of famous English etchers, and quite a
number of artists proofs, and is well
worth visit and careful study
X
The Washington School of Design has is
sued dainty little invitations to an Easter
tea to be given on the afternoon Of April
s in Metzerott's Hall, from 4 to O'clock
This is to partake somewhat Of the nature
of an exhibition and sale, from the pro-
ceeds of which it is proposed to purchase
books Of reference for the school.
x X
The Capital Camera Club will hold its
annual exhibition in the Hemicycle of the
Corcoran Gallery from April 20 to 80, IN
elusive, for which only amateurs work is
ulars for exhibitors may be procured at the
various art stores.
X u
Miss Una A. Clarke has lately designed a
mosaic floor for the children's room which
is being fitted up in the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition. 1t illustrates the delightful fairy
story of the Sleeping Beauty" with which
all are pleasantly familiar, and the mo-
sale is to be made Of square blocks Of diff
ferent colors rather than of the more
usual irregularly shaped bits of stone. The
cartoons have been sent to England, where
alone this kind Of mosaic is made, and If
the estimate Of cost be within reasonable