Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-23

This is always event of much interest
The gold medal of the Corcoran School,
awarded by a jury of competent and impair
tiai artist-judges, is. no small honor to be
easily Won or lightly esteemed, and the
concourse of students brought together by
this event is in itself a pleasant and an
inspiring sight. The exhibition also has an
interest for more than the students per
sonal friends, for in it may be read the
progress and vitality of local art and the
hope for the future. In all these ways the
approaching exhibit promises considerable.
Students and instructors have put in a
hard year of earnest work and there will
be something to show for it.
Edgar Nye, an erstwhile student of the
Corcoran School, who long since in his
landscape paintings showed evidence of
more than ordinary ability, has this spring
executed six or eight noteworthy canvases
One of these was done early in March
when amid the baroness of winter, just
the faint promise of returning life could
be traced In it splendid old oak occupies
the middle distance and dominates its sur
roundngs The ground is strewn with the
past seasons dried foliage, and beyond
smaller trees dwindle away into purple
green haze. 1t is atmospheric and effective,
and shows broad handling and careful
study. Some of the other canVaSeS give
views Of picturesque places on Piney
Branch, Rock Creek and the lowlands of
the Potomac and are well nigh meritor-
ious, though possibly lacking some of the
simplicity and strength of the first. In
each, however there is revelation of ar
tistic temperament and mark of individ-
uality which signalizes the best produc-
tons 1t is not easy to fight ones way to
the top, and to seek out ways and methods
alone makes it long road, but for those
who have the stability and courage to con-
tinue it pays in the END.
x x
Mr. E. Fl. Miller has taken up etching
again this winter, and during the past few
months he has etched ten or twelve exceed
ingly fine plates. One is an elaborate piece
of work showing a little goose girl driving
her flock across meadow toward a wood.
1t is quantity picturesque, spirited and
finely wrought, displaying at the same time
the artists excellent draughtsmanship and
his complete mastery of the etcher's tool.
Another is a view on the river front show
ing coal wharf, the boat house and some
schooners at anchor, which subjectvely and
technically suggests in a measure the
Whistler etchings. whereas third of a
grove of sturdy trees in the Catskill region
may be found reminiscent of Seymour
Haden'S work. quaint old house on
Water street in Georgetown has furnished
an interesting subject for another, and the
canal rich in artistic association has given
the theme for fifth. More charming than
all, however, is a small plate picturing a
clump of beach pines, standing in a patch of
salt grass near the shore 1t is windy day
and in the foreground the sand like snow
has drifted, while away off in the distance
a CLINT of water line may be discerned In
composition, in tone and quality it seems
to lack nothing. There is feeling and senti-
ment in every line, and with the drean}-
ness of a painting it combines the brilliancv
nj G q of ri q to-
plete, and as an Interpretation of nature it
will always be accorded high place.
Mr. Harold Macdonald has just finished
portrait of Admiral Renney which will doubt
less add to his already enviable reputation.
In 1t he has pictured the admiral seated in
a plain, dark wood armchair, turned
slightly away from the observer. His right
hand rests on the arm of the chair and the
left holds his uniform cap. He wears the
full dress regalia of his rank and his sword
is placed inconspicuously beside him. The
background is a nondescript green-gray
color, rich in tone and atmospheric in eff
feet. The head Is strongly modelled and
shows broad brushwork and the hands are
uncommonly characteristic and well rem
dered. The uniform. while wrought with
care and showing considerable minutia is
,,nobstrusive and takes its place in the
composition easily and the pose has been
well chosen. AS a portrait 1t Is uncommon
ly pleasing and as a painting it may be
considered a valuable acquisition by the
institution for which it was ordered.
Rudolph Evans. the young local sculptor,
who recently won the Nebraska City Arbor
day memorial composition. has gone to
Paris, where he purposes executing this and
other work.
Facilities for the execution Of such COM