The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-12-12

weeks az time and fancy that here
ne made his mental studies OF cloudlan1.
where nothing could obscure his vision.
ana am positive that nothing escaped
MS observation that would be al all use
iui ON his canvass. These were the days
when his cup of JOY was fun. lie clung
!" MS boat until he became TOO feeble 20
longer manage A. Then his friends de-
tecied vein OF sadness running through
MS life Happily he had strong Chris
uan spirit To uphold him.
After leaving his old home I'm 81. An
drew he went directly 10 Boston aud
ftunied at. the Lowell Institute with pr,
hlmmer and others. Many OF his paint.
lnRe Mere shown at the Boston. Art club
and Museum and were eagerly sought
Tor by collectors.
Before coming TO Providence in 1871 Mr..
Dshhisttf spent some time i'm New York
Worklug on solar prints with a Broadway
photographer While here ne painted a
TT%sipturs. Trsnt piece which he showed 20
painted tho @Emsncipation Proclama.
Ton now az the national capital Mr.
,narpenter was exceedingly pleased with
ms work OF Bannisfers, and advised
him 10 enter art ~ A profession. From
that time on. with the incalculable aid
OF = devoted wife. he developed into an
enthusiastic artist. whose works have the
stamp or genius marked upon them
Mr., Bannister had the pleasure of paint
ing the portrait or Col Shaw for the state
mouse, Boston. lie IL was who led the
ofth regiment, cOlored troops
MR.. BANNIsTERs WORKS.
II is said. by mans works We shall
knoN MN. wish 10 say "A few words
Npeut some OF hts paintings. lie did not
palnt great many pictures. but the
sreater part OF them are precious. even
s1 MS drawings and squibs. What a
VIDE rang his works include--hgures.
portraits. cattle. landscapes. marines and
StIiplurtl subjects. Ills most noted ef-
lofl MAS Under the Oaks" which re-
celtrd ifst class mrdai at the Centen-
mai. 1876. IL was sent with many mis-
giVings 10 the art committee with Moth
hs put signature attached with
Tremblingly he procured a catalogue and
soon FOUND 'Bannister- Under the Oaks,
Il is said he was so glad that he sat
down and thought OF his boyhood dreams
ana wished that he might see again the
Wen remembered sunsets. Like one In
dream. he found his way through the
crowd and stood before his masterpiece
with his heart bounding with JOY. The
picture was huns In favorable place.
lie said II learned from the newspa-
pers that 81 had received a first prize
medal so ] hurried TO the committee
rooms to make sure the report was true.
There was great crowd there ahead OF
me. As 1ostled among them many re-
sented my presence some actually COM
menting within my hearing IN most
petulant manner what is that colored
person i'm here for? Finally when I sue
ceeded ina reaching the desk where inqui-
ries were made. | endeavored 70 gain the
attention OF the official in charge. He
was very insolent.
Without raising his eyes he demanded
in the most eXasperatin tone OF voice.
Wei. what DO YOU want here, any way?
Speak lively
LIKE AN EXPLOSION.
81 want TO inquire concerning 81" Is
IL prize winner?'
g" What's that To you?' said he.
In an instant my blood was up; the
looks that passed between him and 9TH
ers in the room were unmistakable.
was not an artist To them. simply an in
quisitive colored man. Controlling my
self | said deliberately: 4 am Interested
i'm the report that Under the oaks" has
received prize; | painted the picture.
more marked Impression. Without hest
tation he apologized. and soon every one
IN tho room Was bowling and Scraping TO
me. This picture was sold through wiz
liams 4 Everett 20 a Mr. Duff of Boston
for $500. Bannister received $3.50 as his
portion.
II would be impossible for one to write
Of the various feelings produced by the
sight of the wonderful collection of Mr.
Bannisters works exhibited al the Provi-
dence Art club last spring. was GER
iainly revelation which ecltpsed the
most sanguine expectation OF his friends.
one saw n wonderful array OF tone
pa aintings. showing plainly I'm "A marvellous
degree the various moods and feelings Of
Dur esteemed friend Would that his
spiritual eyes which now behold fairer
world could but for moment gaze again
ipon these beautiful fancies and deep
feeling transcripts OF nature into which
ne put so much OF the human. Never be-
'ore has any artist In this locality thrown
lpon canvas such rcstful soulful scenes,
where pasture pools and rocks and lau-
'el. oaks and hrambles. swale-lend and |
irowsy cattle AL combine to ultimate
ireams Of peace.
His was long life Of more than three |
score years and ten. as happy and So |
enc IS IL VAS blameless, helpful and de-
ightful to others During his thirty
ears residence in our city many have had /
he pleasure Of knowing him and OF pos |
essing some ~ his works.
The closing speaker was Secretary Gal |
agher and in his remarks he directed at |
ention 70 the elevating influence of pure I
rt on morals and as a potent factor in |
refinement and good citizen !
hip.
At the close OF Mr. Gala gher's remarks |
vote OF thanks was extended 20 MIR |
\rnold and MIR. Whitaker for their valua-
lie pa pers and the meeting adjourned.