Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-10
A RI N OF IAS.

An uncommonly interesting portrait by
Gilbert Stuart has been loaned to the Cor
co1an Gallery by Admiral s. w. Terry, and
is now on exhibition in the upper loan
loom 1t is likeness of Mrs. John
Thompson Mason, a young and pretty
matron of a century ago, ana represents
the able painter at his very best. In color
it is charming, and in technique most in
teresting but its real greatness lies in It's
wonderful portrayal of feminine character.
To the observer Mrs. Mason is not merely
a painted figure. but a real Ipersenality,-a
woman, self-conscious. whimsical, yet
WI ming. TEIT
The exhibition of works by members of
the International Society of Painters, Sculp-
tors and Gravers, which opened last Satur-
day in the Pennsylvania Academy galleries,
in Philadelphia, is attracting universal at.
tention. The very fact that the collection
had been imported en- masse would alone
lend it interest, and to this Is added the
knowledge that the society which it repre-
sents is according to academic rule, mum
bered among Phlistine organizations
Headed by James MacNeill Whistler, the
International Society had naturally ranged
itself in the art world on the side of the
opposition. Its members. while far from
lawless, have refused to accept old ideals,
and have insisted upon the right of free
thought and individual Interpretation. They
are of the advanced school of misnamed
"impressionists," who believe that art is
something more than a reproduction of ma
ture. In London their annual exhibitions
are held In the New Gallery, and on the
hor wifi no
cessionists and the adherents of the New
Salon. Never before has so comprehensive
collection of their work been shown in
this country, and the opening of the exhibit
ton has therefore been looked forward to
with great interest for many weeks.
From careful comparison of the reviews
published in our contemporaries this week
it would seem, however that novelty is
after all this exhibitions chief attraction,
for, though the ableSt reviewers pronounce
it curiously interesting as a whole, none
meters out unStinted praise for the merits
of the individual works. In declaring Boil
dini's portrait of Whistler the most re-
markable canvas among the hundred and
twenty-tive,' all the critics agree, and to
John Lavery's 'Le Chou Bleu'' the ma
jority give the second place. Boldni pic
lures the socety's late president seated
Sideways on a plain wooden chair with his
right arm resting on the rude back. and his
right hand toying with lock of his hair.
marvellous in its suggestion of piquant
personality-alert, keen, sardonic insolent
yet delicate, poetic and fascinating" though
to the majority it is but marvelously
clever caricature in which Whistler, the
artist, has been forgotten. That this pic-
ture should be given chief prominence in
the eXhib.lon is, however. fitting as it is
the spirit of Whistler which pervades the
collection, the influence of his teachings and
Ideals being evident in the work of many
of these, his contemporaries.
Whistler himself is represented by sin
gle painting, a --,,le river scene. lent by
Mr. T.. A. b Widener which is dispropor-
tionately modest and unassuming. joseph
PenneH sends Venice and Toledo etchings
Rodin has two works in the black-and-
white section, "The Shades Approaching
Dante and Virgil and Rock in the In
ferno,' and an architectural design for the
gallery and chancel of st. Bartholomew s
Church. Brighton, England, by H. Wilson,
Is SAID to be a specially interesting feature.
In the French section works by Aman-Jean
Charles Cottel, Jules Emile Blanche and
Charles Milcendeau are prominent; in the
German and Dutch those by Hans Won Bar
tells, Max Lieberman, Walter Leistekow.
Frank Stuck, Emile Claus, Mesdaiy and Al
bert Baertson, and in the English and
Scotch Charles II. Shannons. Frances Fl
NeWberry's. Gerald Moira's D. Y. Cam
eron's and Brovener Thomas contributions
are considered most notable.
s..t-r~s .r.
The Architectural League of America held
ITS annual convention in ST. Louis on Mon
day and Tuesday of this week Mr.. Fred
erick S. Lamb of New York, the president,
who has recently returned from abroad
where he has been studying certain phases
or CIVIC art, made an address on the Ores
den municipal art exhibition in which were
given some practical suggestions for Ameri-
can city makers. In Germany Mr. Lamb
found the interest in art WIDESPREAD, and
patiently demonstrated in all recent civic
improvements. from public buildings and
roadWdys to letter-boxeS and sign-posts
The New York Municipal Art Society has
some interesting schemes under advise,nent
which Will by and by undoubtedly help on
the good work, but the most significant re-
port of progress has recently come from
Rush City, a suburb of Providence. r. 7.
where the Pocasset WorSted mills are situ-
ated, which, during the last twelve months
has been changed by its citizens from a
hofnely manufacturing village into gar
den city" This transformation was brought