The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-16
A fine EXHIBITION.
Works Of Noted Artists Attract Thousands
70 the MendelhaII Galleries.

Seldom, if ever. in this city does IL
happen that an exhibition or paintings
develops into a social function, yet MT
Mendenhalls Art gallery during the al
ternoons OF the past week has certainly
suggested a fashionable afternoon tea
where the devotees of art and OF fashion
met 10 discuss the merits OF one or the
most magnificent collections of high class
paintings ever seen in this city or indeed
in this country.
One OF the most cultivated and promi-
nent men i'm this city. himself a recog.
nized connoisseur of art, In speaking or
the present exhibition. said: Il have not
seen 50 fine an exhibition OF high class
paintings in this city in 30 years; Each
the entire collection"
In collecting this exhibition and placing
il before the public Mr.. Mendenhalis aim
has been to show, AS far as possible,
works OF the highest merit TO the art
art lovers have learned to know that Mr..
Mendenhalls name is synonymous with
all that IL highest and best in art ana
his store is recognized not only In THIS
city, but elsewhere. as a place where
the better impulses of ones artistic ma
ture are catered TO and the present ex-
hibtion is but one step further In the
right direction and yet more strongly
emphasizes the distinct prestige OF THIS
exclusive establishment.
The pictures are shown in the large gal
lery in the rear of the store, which has
recently been enlarged and refitted and
Is now the largest and most complete
galleries for the sale OF pictures In the
state. The pictures are most effectively
arranged so as 10 bring out the merits
of each and SO far as possible. To en-
phasize the individuality of every canvas.
Moreover. the variety OF scenes and
figures depicted makes the exhibition APP
peal to a great variety and to the most
discriminating tastes. Some OF the most
celebrated foreign artists are represent
ed i'm the collection. There are two
notable examples by tha famous Swed-
ish artist. Hagbo.g, who chooses for his
subjects scenes from the peasant life and
fisher folk of his own country. These
he surrounds with an unrivalled atmos-
phere and poetic charm which lift
them above the commonplace and in
troduce elements OF brightness and a
most cheerful optimism into their work
day lives. The peculiar features of
his landscape. In the dull gray monotone,
Is also one Of the charming aspects OF
his art
September Morning" by another cele-
brated artist. Emanuel Perre, shows n
large landscape In which the domi-
nant feature is a still lake I'm Savoy. In
this painting one realizes that the ar
tlst is close student OF nature and
presents her I'm one or her most attrac-
tive moods The calm serenity that pre-
unconsciousy holds the eye of the OBJ
server until II seems that one stands in
the very midst OF the scene that the ar
tist has so faithfully portrayed.
Turning from this scene 10 another, OF
n distinctly different type is beautiful
interior hy the noted artist, Edward Por-
tielve OF Antwerp. This Is called Happy
News" and shows n young wife seated
by her sleeping child reading some glad
tidings from the absent husband who is
away on a fishing voyage.
The sunlight comes In at the window
and brightens up the interior as II II di-
vined the happiness In the mothers 5
| heart
The palntinS r. remarkable as an exam.
! pie OF drawing and perspective but per-
y haps its greatest claim as an example OF
art is its atmosphere which Is truly
4 wonderful
| The word atmosphere" as applied in
| discriminatory TO paintings IL one OF the
B most abused in the English language and
/ Is so often misused that its applica tion
D to many pictures is more or less vague
and indefinite. II. however. one wishes to
get q satisfactory definition and an ex.
ample where the word Is used In its fit
test and most complete sense IL is I'm this
beautiful painting "Happy News"
A remarkable portrait In the collection
I IL called THE Flower Girl by Plot.
The delicacy OF touch which is revealed
In this portrait Is wonderful and the sun
light eject falling on the blonde hair 4,
marvelously represented
"The Retreat" very large and magni
ficent painting is one OF the strongest
utt1turv pictures ever seen IN this city.
The Dispossess" Is another remarkabl,
painting. and Ia Brasscrie." (the Caf'
Americainel another.
The exhibition will remain open 10 thu
public throughout tomorrow and wednes
day and auction sales OF the pictures
will occur tomorrow and Wednesday az
ternoons at ?.
The auction sales will be conducted In
| distinctly characteristic manner after TIN
' more noted sales OF great art centres.