The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-03

bers in the last show of the society here
seem insignificant but when one thinks
what barren waste the Philadelphia ex-
hibition would have seemed by comparison
if 81 of its choicest exhibits were gath
cred In the Hemicycle, 1t will readily be
seen that that which makes an exhibit
tion attractive and important is not guam
tity, but quality.
This question of space, however is a
bridge that is better crossed when the
jury get TO it. 1t is at best utterly IN
possible TO predict what this new and
portentous movement on the part of our
great art gallery and the local society Will
develop into. 1t is plain that the days of
struggling on the part of the society 10
give the public carefully selected pictures
of high artistic and earnest quality, eL-
tirely a local product, is over. 4 new era
is dawning with the century. Under the
presidency of Mr.. Brooke, whose return to
Washington has been the cause of gem
eral rejoicing among the artists, and TO
the influential leadership of Chairman
Morse, of the Executive Committee. who,
next to the society as a body, must credit
be given for the success which this
eleventh annual is sure to score Mr..
Morse is the executive officer in whose
hands lies the conduct OF the society's ex-
hibitions. The energy and wisdom he has
already shown have filled the other men,
bers Of the committee with courage. and
confidence in the successful holding OF the
coming show
The associate members of the society
also. whose generous annual contributions
have made the success of the Society of
Washington Artists possible these ten
years past, are standing steadfastly by the
painters. These associate members real
lie the earnestness and high purpose of
the organization and continue to lend cor
daily TO its support. Annual membership
costs but SO year and every prominent
citizen should be enrolled among its mem
bers and assist in the good work the So
ciety is doing for art here at home
In reviewing the two great exhibitions
last week only the names of Washington
painters were mentioned. Some personal
Impressions OF the more notable canyases
shown this year may be of interest
The most widely talked about of all the
picturesque which occupies the place of
honor in New York-is the huge canvas
about SKIS feet, Men Flowing With
Oxen at Sunset" by Horatio Walker one
of the great American painters who has
never been lured from the study Of his
art out of doors and close to the ground
by the luxurious attractions of a city
studio. This is q great picture but il
lacks mystery tone, and that quality of
color which time imparts best TO an oil
picture and which by the way, is not
safely initiated with varnishes. Mr..
Walker is wise TO have left his picture
where it is, for it surely will "ripen" in
time 10 come.
In smaller canvas and in his water col
ors. where his discipleship Of Mauve is
more apparent, he is wonderfully skillful
and always a poet. | never saw weak
or uninteresting picture by him. He is
one Of the first and most continuously
even Of all the great Americans.
To the right OF this hangs the beautiful
THE Years Wane," by Bruce Crane, a
fall landscape in high key, a fact about
which the illustration in the catalogue fibs
numerically. The motive is he simplest
just some undulatiug ground and vague,
distant hills. some suggestive but well
drawn trees and burning brush, very little
out Of which to make q great landscape,
but with its subtle. colorfnl tones and fine
rendering of nature in a sub1ued high
key. Mr.. Crane has succes led beyond any
previous effort and won easiiy the George
Inness medal. which was Instituted by the
son Of the great landscape painter, George
Inness, who bears the same name. The
model Of medal designed by Mr.. Hartley
was also shown al the Academy. 1t is
artistic in it's grave simplicity and bears
a fine profile portrait OF the great man
whose name IS commentaries.
The Academy shows no other landscape
of the distinguished character of this
great picture The Years Wane." by
Bruce Crane but II is rich In smaller
landscapes by Murphy, Voorhees,, Wier.
Bolton. Jones OTchtman. Palmer Geddes,
Redneld the two Eatons Dow. Robinson,
and Gay. Mr. Murphy, with tender Ia
tie picture. called In the Afternoon - re-
turns to high key and fiat values that
distinguished some OF his earlier work
1t is exquisite in mellow color, fine as any
old master, or modern imitator OF them,
and at the same time as simply true TO
nature as II is possible to be and still
produce a poem. Mr.. Murphy never paint
ed a greater picture and no man need to.
II is examples like this of his individual
art, which place him incontesiabiy IN the
class of Wyant and Inness. 1t 10 to this