Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-12
ART NOTES.

A special feature of the State Depart
ments exhibit at the st. Louis exposition
will be series of panels showing wellar
ranged groups of portraits of all the Presi-
dents of the United States, the Vice Presi-
dents and their cabinets. The work of
collecting and arranging these portraits
has been done by Major Frank II. Pea
body of the State Department, who has
made it his object to obtain not merely a
likeness of each statesman, but the best
that existed and the three hundred odd
pictures which constitute the collection he
has chosen from available hundred thou
sand In order to have the size and style
uniform, Photographic copies have been
made from the paintings, prints and pho
tographS, selected for the purpose, many
of which possessed real artistic value. The
amassing of this collection has occupied
more than three months and has proved no
easy task. 1t is is now, however, virtually
complete, the only missing likeness being
that of John Gaillard of South Carolina pres
ident pro tenn. of the Senate during Madt-
sons administration, of whom apparently
no portrait exists, and while OF chief his
toric Importance, it should, by its careful
selection, prove of inestimable value to
historical painters for all time
The desire of Prof. John Quincy Adams
to have 'sOld Masters hung on factory
walls for the enjoyment and uplifting of the
operatiyes, which has recently been given
publicity opens up some interesting lines
of thought concerning the ethical value of
art The Chicago Chronicle in it's editorial
column this week opposes the proposition,
CHASING all paintings among other luXuries
and harmless pleasures which are well
enough for recreation. but would prove dis
tracing during working hours; and in de-
Tense of this attitude recalls the decination
of Sir George F. Watts offer to decora tie
free of charge the interior wall of a new
railroad station by the road directors, upon
! the ground that such paintings would tend
to make travellers miss their trains.
| This was certainly a pretty compliment
! to both the painter and the travelling pub
! lie, though apparently unintentional, but
| its value evidence against the diffusion
| of works of art can scarcely be logically
accepted, as it was not demonstrated.
| There is. however. more than grain of
truth in the bare wall theory; some dec
| orations do debiltate rather than energize
| and even conduct is influenced by surround
| ings Better then bare walls than inappro-
| pirate decorations. and no pictures rather
| than inferior ones. either subjectively or
. technically.
! proposal that the Royal Academy
| work has called forth violent protest
| from Mr.. Pennell. the well-known illustra-
| tor. and other friends of the deceased
artist, who. remembering his frequently
| avowed determination to have no picture
| of his hung again in Burlington House or
any English national exhibition. think they
are following out his wishes. whereas they
are but perpetuating the memory of the
artists unloyely ecoentricities. Mr, PEN
| nell has been for many years not only a
disciple. but a devoted friend of the great
etoher, whom he declared to be 'the great
| est master OF the nineteenth century," and
| 1t Is Mrs Penneil who - to write the au-
| thortzed life Of Whistler"
~
Boldini's portrait Of Whistler, termed by
some satanic hkenesA which attracted
wide attention when exhibited in London
last year, = on IT. way to this country with
othef works OF the international society to