The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-20

The Society of Washington Artists is
about to hold its twelfth annual ex-
hibition, and it is encouraging to note
that the town is waking up to the fact
that the Washington painters are high
spirited and ambitious set of men and
women. These artists insist on leading
and lifting up art standards and taste
here. 1t would, of course, be very easy
for them to step aside and paint pretty
things within the comprehension of the
average purchaser, and thereby win dol
lars and friends. But the society-and
this is equally true Of the Water Color
Club-has been true to high ideals. 1t
has at no time offered the Washington
public an exhibition which remotely sa-
yoreG of commercial art and the men
with whom art is a business have never
been conspicuous in it's management.
This year, through the generosity of the
Corcoran trustees and the associate
members, the society is able to offer
especial inducements to the foremost ar
lists all over the country. Prizes of $780,
800, and $50, respectively, are to be
awarded to the best three paintings in
the exhibition, and the transportation Of
works of art received from artists in
vited to exhibit will be paid out of the
society's funds.
+ There will be such display of repre-
sentative American easel pictures as has
not been seen here since Montrosse's
great Garfield Hospital exhibition held
at the Morton House twelve years ago.
And that, be it remembered, is still re-
garded as the most notable and distin-
guished collection of American pictures
in proportion TO its size, that was ever
gathered together in this country.
1t sometimes seems as though American
art in general and home art in particular
was languishing while anything from the
other side" is eagerly sought after En-
erson says: Our moods are like a string
of beads-entering one We see only what
is focused at the other end of it,
When the hard facts OF life seem I'M
answerable and obstacles so overwhelm-
ing that one is inclined to become pes
sirnistic, it is just as well to remember
that 1t may be but a mood. Moods are
due to a disordered condition of body or
mind, which gives one an inverted view OF
things. Yes, it is far safer to look on
the bright side, for it often transpires
that there was no dark side after all, and
therein is the triumph of the optimist.
To take an optimistic view of the situa-
ton, there is much that is positively en-
couraging, particularly here in Washing
ton there is marked increase in taste
and patronage on the part Of picture buy
ers.
The artists are jubilant over the pros
pect OF an exhibition which viii far ex-
coed any former show given by the So
ciety.
1t will not be surprising II fully one
half of the pictures shown in the coming
exhibition are by artists living away from
Washington-and as the Executive Com
mittee, who have the matter in charge is
composed of some Of the most liberal
minded and skillfuI artists in the city, men
not hemmed in by any little, petty, selfish
provincial standards, an exhibition may
be expected which will be conspicuous for
high quality and earnestness of purpose.
Some familiar names here in town may
have but very small exhibit while others
may be missing entirely for the COM
miltee are determined to hew to the line.
ard every picture submitted will be care
fully considered and voted upon by ballot.
Names will count for nothing The fact
is they have long ago ceased to have any
weight with the juries in the great an
nual shows. The one purpose Of the So
ciety is to create an exhibition which shall
be in all respects first class. Ii is duty
they owe the Corcoran trustees, as well
as themselves. There viii be no crowd
ing and skying of caavases-' good enough
to be hung. good enough to be hung where
il can be seen we'll" seems to be 4 part
of the society's creed. and 1t has also an
abiding faith in the doctrine that the way
TO encourage and build up local art is TO
give precedence in any and all places TO
the best art without regard TO names, in
fluence, reputation. or any previous sue
cesses which may have attended an artists
earlier work.
This is a sound and indisputably wise
position to take in the matter of public
exhibitions, however inexpedient It may
be at other times and places. Expectd
ton never was so high over any previous
exhibition so far in advance of the time
set for the open;ng-the latter part of
March-and the local artists who intend
to compete for the prize are actively but
quietly working much and some of them
entirely to themselves, getting ready for
the great day.
Friends of the local artists are sure
that when this great collection is opened
to the public there will be two .hings
very apparent to the visitor. One Will be
how remarkably advanced many of cur
men and women painters are in the scale
Of excellence and the other Is what very
poor showing some others make whose
regulations, till then, wero very respecta-
BILE here at home.
VIII soon De ready 10 Scllu bub
to the artist contributors. Those OF the
local fraternity wishing to send may OBJ
tain blanks" with full information from
any OF the local art stores or from the
secretary of the society.
These few facts may be stated in ad-
vance: The exhibition at the Hemicycle
will open with a reception on Wednesday
evening, March 81, and the public will he
admitted free) on Thursday March 2S,
and thereafter till the closing day, Sat
urday, April IS. Vanishing day and press
view will be on Wednesday, March q. In
tending exhibitors must deliver their pic
lures at the New York Avenue entrance
Of the Corcoran Gallery on Friday and
Saturday, March Is and 16, between the
hours of a. m. and 6 p. N. The Cor
coran Gallery prizes Of s20e, 500 and $50
will be awarded to the best three paint
ings in the exhibition.
The Jury and hanging committee is com
posed of the officers and Executive Com
mittee of the society-Richar N. Brooke,
President Lucien Powell Vice President;
James Henry MOser. Secretary; Robert
Coleman Child, Treasurer; Edward Lind
Morse, Chairman of the Executive Com
mittee; Max Weyi. w. b. Chiffon, Carl
Weller, and Miss Mathlde Aueden, mem-
bers of the Executive Committee.
There are at the Fischer gallery just
now some extraordinary drawings of ami
mails by Arthur Wardle, of London These
are the first originals recall ever having
seen by this English artist. Mr.. Wardle
brings to his task besides very skillful