The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-01-17
FURRY OVER
MENZEL'S WORK
Discussion Among Local Artists
Is Widespread.
MERITS OF THE MINIATURES
SOME SAY THEY ARE REAL,
OTHERS INTIMATE PHOTOS.

n HE disturbance produced in the
ranks of local artists by Paul
MenzeTs miniatures has not only
caused a radical division Of opinion
among the artists, but has brought
about an amusing state Of compiled
ton in art circles, and as it developed
yesterday has extended its influence
beyond the sphere Of active artists TO
the realm Of art coanOisseurs, who. It
is said, are taking an active part in
the dispute.
Although nearly all the artists ap-
preached yesterday expressed them
selves as having heard the genuine
ness and originality Of MenZel's work
questioned, yet not a one would take
it upon himself or herself to say that
he or she thought the miniatures were
not what Mcneil claimed them 20 be.
That the question though as to wheth-
er the work was freehand or copy, was
raised when the pictures were present.
ed for exhibition at the Art institute,
and the opinions were expressed by
artists and laymen that the work was
Photographic. is not denied by those
light of these facts the affair has re-
solved itself seemingly into an amusing
compound Of assertions and denials.
Talk Among Artists.
Among the most prominent Of tina
local artists who are said 10 have ex-
pressed themselves as being of the
opinion that MenzeTs miniatures bore
the Photographic elements and looked
were said to be Mrs. Alice Merrill
Horne. president OF the Art league, and
Miss Mary Teasdel. vice president OF
the league. Miss TeaSdel, who Is a
local miniature painter Of considerable
note, had a collection Of miniatures on
exhibition at the institute. one of which
had been given a place at the Paris
exposition, and It was stated upon good
authority that there was considera Bile
friendly rivalry occasioned by MenzeTs
and Miss TeasdeIs exhibitions, there
being those who maintained that each
was superior to the other. IN relation
to this a prominent artist said
From an artistic standpoint there is
no question but that Miss TeasdeTs
work surpassed anything that was on
exhibition, but for perfection of tech
niQUe. delicacy of execution and elab-
grafton of detail, MenZers work Is GER
Ia MY unsurpassed. Mcneil has at
tanned 20 such perfection in his tech
nique that his finished work has the
details and the qualities Of a photo
graph. and this has LED II the c0nten-
ton on the part Of some Of the artists,
not only in local circles but over the
state, that they are Photographic
work
Mrs. Horne's Version.
Mrs. Horne and Miss Teasdel, while
they say that Menzeps work has the
qualities characteristic Of Photographic
work, declare that they have made no
claim that the work was photographs.
and that they do not now claim 1t is
Mrs. Horne, in speaking Of the mat
ter last night, said:
When Mr.. Mcneil presented his pict-
ures TO the committee in charge Of the
art exhibit the question was raised as
to whether the work was freehand or
copied. 1t is the rule OF the institute
to allow no copied work TO be eXhib-
tied and the question was submitted
10 Mr. Mcneil He said they were free
hand work. and upon his word the pict-s
ures were accepted by the committee
Mrs. Horne. upon being asked, said
that the pictures presented by Menzeli
had a Photographic appearance, but
she denied that she had or did ques-
ton the claim of the artist that they
were freehand work. She stated though
that she had heard two Of the most
prominent artists OF the state. outside
Of this city. express their opinion, dur
ing the art exhibit. that MenzePs pict-
ures looked like Photographic repro
auctions cOlored-
Governor Wells Opinion,
She also stated that Governor Wells
had expressed his opinion that a Ger
tain miniature done by Mcneil looked
like Photographic work. Two other
artists claim to have heard Governor
Wells express the same opinion in re-
gard TO the work.
Mcneil may work for the photo
graphic effect" said Mrs. Horne. hut
that effect lacks the artistic, and as it
IS the artistic for which we work the
pictures which present it must neces-
sarily be considered the best.
Miss Teasdel asserts that she has
never raised the question as to the
genuineness OF MenzeIs work and has
RETAINED from expressing any opinion
upon it, because she had some work
on exhibition at the same time Mcneil
did and any opinion expressed BY her
might be miscOnstrued-
Look Like Photographs.
"MenzePs work." said Miss Teasdel.
''has some suggestion Of the photo
graphic, but 1 do not say that they are.
and L do not want to have anything
TO do with this discussion. I have
heard others express their opinion that
the work looked as If It was done from
a photograph, but then everyone is
free TO his own opinions and can eX-
press himself as he likes
According to the rules Of miniature
painting, as observed by the best art
lists, everything that is characteristic
of a full-sized portrait should appear
in the smaller picture, and there should
not be the Photographic effect if the
artistic qualities are to be brought
out"
A weil-known artist, who IS consid-
cred authority, said. in speaking Of the
discussion and division Of opinion
which MenzeTs miniatures have
caused:
Not only the local artists are d.
vided in opinion, but artists over the
state seem to have some differences Of
opinion also, and the discussion has
artists. and there are those who claim
that the miniatures are transferred
photographs
Hints at Jealousy.
The whole matter is this. IF Men,
eel is making reproductions from pho
tOgraphs and asking enormous prices
for them under the claim that they
a. h rr~-- Mo