Evening star., 1902-03-22
A R T, N 0 T ES


exhibition close upon the heels of the So
ciety Of Washington Artists. Early in the
week handbills We're issued and widely dis
trlbuted announcing the approach Of this
their fourth annual offense," which prom
lsed to give "a lucid explanation and vivid
Interpretation Of the pictorial efforts Of the
Society of Washington Artists well
calling the attention Of the public to such
special additional attractions as the world
renowned cliptomaniao Scissorin
Scheers. who made snip shot, silhouette
portraits (and very clever ones they were,
too), while youwaited," and Madam Cera,
tne gypsy palmist." who with astounding
verify betrayed the past and disclosed the
future. 1t Is hardly necessary to say in
way OF explanation that the entire show
was a merry take-off on the Society of
washington Artists twelfth annual eXhibi-
ton, or to quote the advice of the Fakirs'
poet, which ran as follows:
In order to appreciate this exhibition rare,
20 to the Hemicycle and spend some minutes there,
Display full many a gem
First see their fakes on nature,
Then see our fakes them
Among these fake works Of art were
many that We're strikingy good and very
amusing. Alfred Maurer's picture called
An Arrangement was an easy mark,
and was admirably reproduced under the
title OF "A Derangement or otherwise
Hunting for Moths with notice append
ed calling attention to the improved hang
ing of the floor. Spring Wing Styles in
Heaven, copyrighted by Cannon Cocks
was readily recognized as the Angel of the
Annunciation by Kenyon Cox; and Hugh
Breckenbridge's Lantern Glow" appear
ed with but slight alteration under the
for the Bath Thomas Eakins' portrait
figured in various sguises expressive of
misery and lost means. and Mr.. Hassam's
Broad Cove was also several times most
nj nrl1 falyn by- Nicc %
| celia Beaux called ''Sita and Sarita," which
| took the first Corcoran prize, lent itself
readily to caricature, and was converted
into veritable ''Scratchta and Scratchee'
by one of this merciess band. Mr.. Pott-
hast's impressionistic nocturne was pic
tured as piece of changeable silk. and the
Nichols brothers, Mrs. Child, Mr. Brooke
and Mrs. Andrews all came in for stray
shots from the merry sportsmen. A paper
purporting to be special art edition of
the March Hare this year took the place
Of the usual literary catalogue. 1t con-
tanned review of the "Dozenth Annual
Exhibition of the s. W. A. which was
full of fun and witticisms, modest edi-
torial setting forth their own virtues and
accomplishments. some palette scrap!ng,
a few poems worth reading, two brief
fragments of artistic fiction and incidental
items, political social and personal 1t
was, in fact, an excellent fake in itself,
and proved immensely popular.
Thus these witty folk made merry and
spared few. Some of the hits were well
aimed and hard enough to smart. but they
were all meant ina spirit of honest, good
| natured fun. and were accepted as such
by their victims, whose work. by the way.
in all truth and seriousness, they sincerely
admire.
At the grand elimination reception and
auction" which is to be held this evening
from to 10 o'clock at which music is TO
be furnished by the marine artists. posters
and sketches by ex-members of the league
are to be sold, as well as the fakes. among
which are many attractive and very worthy
little pictures.
1t is customary for the New York Art
Students League to hold yearly similar
fake exhibitions, and in connection with the
1901 annual an amusing incident has been
recounted. On the walls, it is said, of the
room in which the Fakirs show was to be
held We're hung a few paintings by lead
ing artists among which was character
istc canvas by Mr.. Childe Hassam, and as
the time was limited and the wall space
more than sufficient, the committee in
charge decided to let them remain. 1t did
not occur to the members of this committee
that 1t would be necessary to mark these
"horS concour' or to mention the fact to
the jury of award. but when this august
body met after lengthy contemplation and
delibera tion 1t awarded the first prize, be-
slowed upon the best and wittiest fake, to
none other than the HasSam picture. Be
this fact or fiction. it is a good story. and
has been relished by none better than the
artist himself
The opening reception and private view
of the Society of Washington Artists and
Architects Club annual exhibitions last
Saturday evening in the Corcoran Gallery
of Art was, in spite of the dsagreeable
weather a notable affair. The whole gal
lery was brilliantly lighted and for over
three hours well filled with the artists,
architects and their guests. There were
at one time about 1000 present, among
whom were many persons prominent in
official. diplomatic and social circles. The
hemicycle and atrium, in which the exhibits
were hung. We're thronged, though not un-
comfortably crowded. throughout the
tire evening and cordial and hearty con-
gratuationS and expressions OF apprecla-
ton were heard on every side. In the gal
lery proper the splendid painting by George
de Forest Brush of a mother and child,
which has lately been added to the perma
nent collection, and AbbeyS picture of the
Trial of Queen Catherine attracted special
attention. before each of which a little
group of interested observers was contin-
ualy gathered.
Considerable enthusiasm has been mani
tested in the exhibitions throughout the
week and a good attendance has been no
tceable. especially in the hemicycle. Both
exhibitions will continue until the 1st of
April That of the architects may be viewed
during the regular hours and subject to
the usual rules of free and pay days of
the gallery whereas the Society of Wash
ington Artists exhibit admission to which
is through the New York avenue entrance,
is free to the public every week day from
8 m. to $50 p. m. and from to 10 in the
evenings. besides on Sunday afternoons
from / until 4.
A collection of water colors by Miss Her.
rietta W. Dunn was exhibited last week
In the parlors of the New Willard They
were fancy heads Of young girls and wo-
men, painted in a Frenchy manner, after the
style of fashion plates. They were fresh,
however rather picturesque and daintiy ex-
ecuted and among them was a panel Of
poppies which was broadly handled and
altogether good
Gratifying reports come from Paris of the
| notable success Of member of the Society
| Of Washington Artists, Miss Catherine c.
Critcher who left Here only last September,
| and has already won high distinction at
Julian's famous lscsool. In the annual ex-