The Washington times., 1902-09-28

revocable, and after due deliberation
appointed Mr.. Edmund Clarence Messer
to succeed him as principal Of the Cor
coran Art School.
A resident Of the District from child
! hood, Mr. Messer has been closely
identified with the teaching of art in
Washington ever since 1879. when the
Art Club School was organized upon
academic lines by the Art Club of that
period, with quarters in Vernon Row, at
PENNSYLVANIA Avenue and Tenth Streets,
and Mr.. Messer was placed in charge
thereof.
This, the first school of its kind in
the city, was most successfully con-
Quoted by Mr.. Messer for six years,
when i'll health compelled him to re-
signi temporarily. The students, de-
string to continue their work on the
same lines. at once organized the Art
Students League. continuing the same
classes that had been carried on by
Mr.. Messer under his assistant. MT.
John Burnet. whose bright promise and
untimely death are still remembered IN
artistic circles, and Mr.. Richard n.
Brooke.
Mr. Messer Resumes Charge.
Mr.. Messer, after recuperative So
jouru in Europe, where he improved the
opportunity by additional training under
such masters as Collin. Courtois and
Aimee Morot, returned to Washington
and resumed charge of his old classes.
continuing his connection with the Art
Students League until two years ago.
when for private reasons he gave up the
work. Mr.. Messer's work as an artist
is too we'll known in Washington to need
description. His Sunset in Loudoun
in the Corcoran gallery is representa-
tive of his ability as landscapist, being
simple and faithful in tone, coloring anc
composition. yet possessing poetic
sense which Is rarely absent from MS
canvaseS.
Richard Norris Brooke, who has been
chosen as Mr.. Messer's assistant IN the
Corcoran Art School. is also leadlng
artist of great versatility as we'll as
capahility, with the highest personal
characteristics. Indeed the Importance
of having a man of his ability. integrity.
and wide discriminating knowledge OF art
identified with the school in connection
with such a principal as Mr. Messer.
cannot be too strongly emphasized, the
two artists being in complete accord as
regards their general attitude toward
art problems-sound. conservative, yet
keenIy alive to new manifestations of
the art spirit, and quite awake TO the
nf
Mr. Brooke also is an experienced in
structor At the early age of eighteen.
after a few months only of serious art
study. he was chosen by his instructor.
Heber Reed of Philadelphia, to conduct
his large classes of los pupils. Mr.. Reed
had been stricken with fatal illness.
For Failing Health.
These classes he carried on success
fully for four years. until his failing
health necessitated change. Two years
later he won the chair of fine arts OF the
Virginia Military Institute in competi-
tive exhibition of portraits, and filled the
duties Of this position until appointed
United States consul at La Tocnelle.
France. After the expiration of his Term
there Mr.. Brooke became pupil OF
Bonnat. spending some time upon the
continent.
In 1881 he opened his studio in Wash
ingtcn. bringing with him as card OF
introduction his negro study, "a Pas
toral VISIT which won immediate rec
ognition and was purchased for the
Corcoran Art Gallery. though Mr.. Brooke
laughinsly says it has hum like mill
stcne around his neck ever since by es-
tablishing his reputation as "a special
ist in negro subjects and making 1t diff
acult to attract the attention Of the