Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-20

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architectural side OF the subject Tolstoi
has said that real work of art is "a feel
ing handed down. aald IN these paintings
the artist has truly handed down the feel
ing which the Capitals impresses upon the
approaching pedestrian. Both are done in
gouache. one on a specially prepared can
vas. the other on gtsy pastel paper. and
technically resemblsdp' closely the third.
which was done entirely in oils. So little
now-a-day does medium signify.
Painted from Window eight stories
above the ground. the last of the trio is an
odd picture, presenting unusual problems
in perspective and showing an almost bird 8
eye view. 8;
The building known as Vernon Row. the
time local artist Quarter. Is of chief
prominence; the eye resting first upon its
triangular shaped root and then it's red
brick walls, set like q wedge between Penn
sylvania avenue and ID street. Beside and
beyond 1T the avenue lilies like broad
country road. stepped IN sunshine and ira
versed by the cars land an occasional
vehicle. Over the roof and tree tops. state
ly and picturesque, looms the Capitol,
coordinate part of the composition. In
this as in his prize winning picture Of the
portrayed the civic atmosphere of the
locality. 1t is Washington as the majority
of persons know it. All three paintings are
thoughtful, vigorous and simple, and mani
fest, moreover, a pleasantly original point
of view.
Mr. Cooper found Washington beautiful.
but in a measure unpaintable at this time
of year. resolving itself upon the coorists
inspection into problem of red and green
bricks and trees 1t is, therefore, his inten-
ton to return late in the fall for a few
more weeks work.
Mrs. Cooper is also an artist of no mean
ability. Four of her water colors of Eng
lish cathedrals were in the last Pennsylva-
mia Academy, and the catalogues of both
the American Water Color Society's and
the Art Clubs exhibitions contained repro
auctions of her works. She. too, prefers
architectural themes, and renders them
with exceeding skill.
X
Few recent architectural competitions
have attracted So much attention or eH-
cited so general an interest as that for the
reconstruction of the Military Academy at
West Point. which has just been concluded.
The project is in itself one of universal
interest and the outcome of the competi-
ton is of more than common significance.
The jury to which the competing drawings
were submitted was composed of some OF
the most eminent architects in the country,
and the decision was unanimously in favor
of the plans presented by Cram, Goodhue
and Ferguson group of Boston arch
fleets, whose reputation for ability, SIN
cerity and artistic purpose seems already
well established The award of such jury
was in itself a strong testimonial of the
worth of the work, but in this case it more
over marked the triumph of a new line Of
thought-the Introduction or adaptation Of
the Gothic order of architecture which has
not heretofore been largely used in Amer
lea except for ecclesiastical structures In
all. or almost all, of our new college and
university buildings the classical or renais-
Sance order has been followed, which, while
eminently appropriate for institutions of
learning would not have been as suitable
for a military school as the Gothic The
accepted plans provide for masses of long,
low buildings, from which square Norman
towers rise at intervals These will not
only accord with the old permanent build
ings at the academy, but will it is thought,
De PECULIARLY effective from their lofty site
overlooking the Hudson The association of
the Olmstead Bros. with the successful firm
In the laying out of the grounds and sur
round1ngs made a strong combination,
though the fact that all perspective draw
ings were ruled out of the competition nre-
vented any elaborate display in landscape
architecture. 10 rs
4x
At the June meeting of the Washington
Architectural Club the following officers
were elected for the ensuing year: PERCY
Ash, president: j. j. Bissegger. vice presi-
dent; F. l.. Molby, secretary; Harry l..
Barton. treasurer, and Francis B. Wheat
on. C. L. Harding and A. w. Brown, d.
rectorS. -.4- rgt
* * IS
After more than a years deliberat ton the
Mcclellan statue commission composed of
Secretary Root. Senator Wetmore and Cen
eral Ruggles, the last representing the
Society of the Army of the Potomac has
rajn ofn fl~0
grant the commission for the statue to
some American sculptor. who has not in
any way been identified with the recent
competition. This action was taken, it is
said, upon the recommendation of the adj
visory committee, consisting of Messrs
August st. Gaudens, c. F. McKim and d.
c. French, which found all the models
lacking in individuality and symbolism.
The original competition opened in May of
last year and the first decision was in
favor of four of the competing sculptors,
Messrs Austin Hays, C. II. Niehaus. Wal
do Story and Attilio Piccirilli, who were
invited to submit enlarged models of their
designs that the commission might be en-
abled better to make the final ward. These,
constituting a second competition, were
placed on view with the originals in the
basement of the Corcoran Gallery on Feb
ruary list; since when the question of
award has been in abeyance-the advisory
committee only within the last few weeks
being called upon for a second opinion.
That the final decision was rendered con-
scientiously. and only after careful thought
and study, none will doubt. but that it
should not have been arrived at with less
delay seems unfortunate in the extreme
The insistence upon a high standard of art
for all public monuments would, IT rigor- |
ously adhered to. mark an era of prog
ress and If in this case the commission
will continue its quest for an ideal monu-
ment until one fulfilling the requirements |
be found it's action will be applauded. The |
question is, however. whether this will be |
the result, for though all four of the |
models entered in the last competition were |
conventional and commonplace, as works |
of sculpture none was really unworthy. |
and each was the work of man who had
already executed important commissions
large portrait painted by Mr.. F. ].
Fisher of this city of little girl is now on
exhibition in the Veerhoff gallery. In 1t an
extremely pretty child of ten or twelve
years Is seen seated in the corner OF an