Evening star., 1902-03-15

to improve upon acquaintance. Its paint
ings are Of kind which one wants not
only to see, but to own.
The Prize Winners.
The jury to award the Parsons prize of
$1o0 tc the best landscape painted by a
Washington artist was composed this year
of DIR. Swami NJ Burnett, Senator Clark,
Howard Helmick. Delaney Gill and w H
Holmes, Who awarded the prize to H. Ho-
bart Nichols.
The jury for the Corcoran prizes of 500,
t100 and 500 to the three best paintings
shown in the entire exhibition was this year
the same as last. composed of the execu-
tive committee of the society. The task was
a difficult one, but after thoughtful. con-
scious study. continuing until yesterday at
ternoon the following decisions were
reached: First prize Miss Cecilia Beaux.
second prize Mr.. Charles II. Davis and
third prize to Mr. William Fuller Curtis
II will be remembered that last year the
first prize was awarded to Irving E. Wiles,
for which reason his splendid painting of
Julia Marlowe which hangs midway round
the semi-circular wall, was out of the con-
test. 1t was this picture which La Fargo
said made the last New York Academy ex-
hibition, and which Carleton Virgins de-
clared to be one of the greatest paintings
ever produced by an American. 1t is not,
however a sensational painting 1t does
not make itself felt by a daring color
scheme or dashing style 1t is gentle and
modest to a degree, and insistent only
through Its sincerity, mastery handling and
artistic qualities. The charming actress
is seen seated upon graceful divan. lean
Ing slightly forward. with one arm resting
lightly on the back the other across her
lap while her fingers play in the silken
folds of her flowing gown. an evening dress
OF soft. white silk trimmed in an indie
scribsble fashion, with lace Of rich ivory
hue. There is nothing niggling about Mr..
Wiles' treatement of the accessories; his
color IS laid on with a bold free brush,
and the bare canvas itself has been made
70 play part in the scheme in places. yet
there Is no sign of haste or lack of finish.
Never was material more eXqusitely rem
dered The silk of the gown falls with the
watery weightiness Of its kind. The cover
ing OF the couch and cushions the rug and
the drapery are all as true TO their indi-
Vi6ual textures, and yet are subordinated to
the face and figure. The same simplicity
of handling is TO be observed in these. The
face is splendid in color and very express
i've. and the modelling OF the neck and
shoulders is wonderfully perfect. 1t is easy
and graceful and atmospheric-a brilliant
painting and fascinating picture.
Notable Canvases.
Near this, to the right. hangs Anna Lea
Merritt's attractive canvas called Grand
mothers Boa which comes directly from
the Philadelphia Academy, and is no less
great as a work Of art. 1t pictures little
gciden-hared lass Of five or six years clasp
Ing her grandmother's marten collar about
her neck, with a ke-believe-solern ex-
preston on her merry baby face. 1t is
delightful in color. forceful to degree, and
Is painted with that directness and sim
plicity which is the uplifting charm Of the
old masters work-the result not only of
genius but of knowledge.
Cecilia BeauX's "Seta and Sarita' Is an
other of the most notable paintings. The
young woman upon whose shoulder the
black cat Is poised is distinct creation
not an everyday somebody. Her individu-
a!ity and personality pervade the whole
canvas and are insistent. The quality of
the painting is cold. and it has been done
With a broad dry brush. trifle more i'm
press:onistic. but no less accurate. than
the two named above. 1t is exceedingly
strong and realistic, yet IS full Of subtlety
and. possibly. uncanniness.
Very different. however, are these quail
ties seen in Mrs. Barneys "Medusa,'' a
weird creation, which is too horrible and
too we'll done to be other than an outrage
to the highest principles aims Of true
art. as well as unworthy Of the genius Of
its skillful painter.
Bensons portrait of "A Lady With a
Gold Fam Is another striking picture. II
is large canvas and possesses some ex-
celient technical qualities, but Is badly
drawn. hard and sttfY and distinctly inferior
to his admirable work In the Library OF
Congress.
AZ one end OF the nat wall hangs a por-