The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-01-20
THE STRENUOUS
AND THE NUDE
THE PRESIDENT RESTORES TO
THE WHITE HOUSE WATTS
PICTURES LOVE AND LIFE"

President Roosevelt has had trans
ferred to the White House from the
Corcoran Gallery Watts famous pic
ture, Love and Life" which was re-
moved from there to the Corcoran Cal
lery during President Cleveland's last
administration on account of the criti-
cism brought to bear upon the picture
by the Woman's Christian Temperance
| Union, which was shocked by The nude
! figures in the picture.
! Love and Life was sent to the
Worlds Fair in Chicago, where it eX-
cited more admiration than almost
any other canvas exhibited. AT the
close of the fair it was presented TO the
! United States government by the art
| list, and was consigned to the White
! House for hanging. The w. G. T. L.
Immediately began an onslaught OF
criticism against Watts beautiful pic
ture, contending that the nude figures
of the woman and man, which give the
canvas it's name, were immoral in eff
feet and should be removed from the
historic mansion. There was so much
criticism of the picture that President
Cleveland reluctantly consented to its
removal to the Corcoran Gallery, where
1T was sent in 1895.
No subsequent president cared to
brook the criticism of the womans or
ganization, and it was left in the gal
lery, where it was admired by thou
sands of people. President Roosevelt
ordered it's removal and has given ii
the place of honor in the state dining
room, where Saturday afternoon it was
admired by the 500 guests.
George Frederick Watts, the artist
is now upward of so years of age, ana
is easily the most noted and beloved
English-speaking artist living. Love
and Life" is one of the best, if not the
best, canvas which he leaves to pos
terity. 1t remains to be seen what
effect the criticism of the w. c. Y. L,
will have on President Roosevelt, OF
whether they are not now sufficiently
educated in art to allow the picture to
hang where it properly belongs with
out criticism.
Several White House visitors have
expressed regret that the historic por-
traits which formerly adorned the
State drawing rooms and the Red cor
ridor have been relegated to the base
ment.
The fact that Gilbert Stuart's por-
trait of Washington has not beer
spared has provoked protests from al
parts of the country. 1t is understood
that President and Mrs. Roosevelt fee
very much embarrassed, as seVera
patriotic and historic societies have Of
fered to give the portrait home until
room can be made for it in the White
House. This is the only portrait now
eXtant for which Washington really
posed, and it is the same which Dolly
Madison rescued when Washington
was captured by the British. Some OF
the senator's contemplate asking tC
have the portrait sent to the capitol.
The same feeling is voiced in regard
to Martha Washington's portraits and
those of Jefferson and Lincoln. Inc
portraits of the former mistresses OF
the White House have also been SEM
to the basement, and this has called
forth a storm of protests from the varl'
GUS organizations which presented I'M
pictures to the executive mansion
According to the present plan not
portrait will be allowed in the draWlnI
rooms or in the main hall. The spaces
hitherto occupied by the portraits WI
be filled with panels or statues. IN I'M
East room some of the spaces VIII D'
filled by huge mantels of French mar
BILE, and wide, open fireplaces.