The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-11-23
BANN|STER MEMORIAL.
SERVICE HELD TO-DAY.
Eloquent Tributes Paid to Memory
of Well Known Providence Artist.
Meeting inMr. WhitakerS Studio.

At o'clock this afternoon a memorial
TO the late artist, Edward ~. Bannistsr,
was held in the art gallery OF Mr.. George
=M-Mhitakcr tp-htE=Fesidence on Fruit
Hill Invitations TO the number OF $50
had been issued for the occasion, among
the msmbers Of the art club, and es-
pecialy among those persons who had
been interested in Mr.. Bannister and his
work, and as result the art gallery was
well filled.
The gallery itself is spot where artists
love to linger. for the sides of the long
room are literally covered with canvasses,
which represent not only the beautiful
work Of Mr.. Whitaker, but that OF all tho
notable Rhode Island artists as well as
OF other artists of note. over 300 can
vases OF all sizes adorn the gallery.
A large number of Mr.. Bannister's
charming landscapes occupied prominent
places in the walls and IL seemed indeed
Hitting thing that a memorial to his
character and genius should be had at
the home OF his close friend. and in an
atmosphere OF art, his own art and that
or his friends
The exercises OF the afternoon were
presided over by MIR. John n. Arnold.
the well known portrait painter OF this
city
The meeting opened with devotional
exercises conducted by Rev. s. III. Blais-
dell, pastor OF the Elmwood Free Baptist
church, of which Mr.. Bannister was a
member.
Following Mr. Arnold read a paper en-
titled "reminiscences of Rhode Island
Artists" the same being a series OF brief
pictures or descriptions of Rhode Island
artists and their work from tho time OF
hos rlN u Ia IuI. nj artHG
Stuart. Smybert and Malbone.
Coming down TO more recent years Mr..
Arnold dwelt upon John s. Lincoln, with
whom he studied. and from whom he said
he gained his first idea Of painting.
Continuing Mr.. Arnold told of group
OF young artists who started painting in
this city in 1865 and of which group no
was one. The other men were Tom Rob-
inson, Marcus Waterman, James M
Levin and Frederick S. Bachelor.
Mr.. Arnold then gave a bright sketch of
each of these artists working and study
ing together, and none of them over 81
For 20 years, he said there was no ad-
dition To this group of artists except
George w. Whitaker and II. s. Leavitt,
and a little later Mr.. Bannister.
Leaving the thread OF his tale at the
point when he reached Mr.. Bannister Mr..
Arnold was followed by Mr.. Whitaker.
who gave "a most interesting sketch OF the
late artists life and work.
Some years since. he said Osgood
brought out book and called it 'The
Artists OF the Nineteenth Century" and
the name Edward NJ. Bannister was men
toned among those who best represent
the art triumphs OF America and Eu-
rOpe."
In dwelling first upon the personality
of Mr. Bannister. Mr. Whitaker told of
the gentle, child-like spirit of the man
and the strength and purity of his char
acter which was an inspiration to all
who knew him. Mr.. Whitaker also told
of the rare mental qualities OF the artist,
his love OF poetry and Of mythology, his
deep religious fervor and rare spiritual
insight. Born IN st. Andrews, New
Brunswick. he said. his early education
was obtained there; later he followed the
sea as cook and still later. awakening
20 the sense of art within his soul. he
went 10 Boston and pursued the study OF
art az the Lowell institute, under the In
struction OF Prof. Crowningsheld and DIR.
Rimmer. After this he spent some time
i'm New York, working on solar prints,
and then he was advised by Frank q.
Carpenter "a celebrated artist, TO enter
fine art as a profession.
From this time on continued Mr.