The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-22

the ma jCTIty seem to have been made
from the collection OF water colors. This
shows that purchasers are selecting pic
lures for their homes rather than TO
supply private galleries IL is reported
that all Of the pictures exhibited by
Howard Hclmick have been sold. The
Red Lighthouse" by Henry p. Smell.
which was given the place of honor at
the last exhibition of the Washington
Water Color Club, has been purchased
for the Academy of Fine Arts Exhibit
bitten.
From an exchange it is learned that
Freeman Thorp. who is credited as be
ing a Washington artist. has recently
commenced a portrait of Grover Cleve-
land, which is TO occupy a place in the
historical library at the capitol at Hell
ena. Mon. and that the same artist is
TO paint a portrait Of President Roose-
welt. Surely We must go away from
home TO get the news.
The London Times" in commenting
upon the prices paid for pictures at the
recent Marquand sale in New York. calls
attention to the fact OF the great ad-
vance in the prices realized above these
originally paid for these pictures. Brief
| ~ summarized, il appears that the pic
lures have doubled in value in the past
| ten years. and that one picture has in
creased in value ten times in fifty years.
| This seems TO Indicate that well-select-
/ ed pictures arc not only a safe invest
ment but a profitable source Of specula-
/ ticn for those who have the money.
The needs of art for a salesman is
/ discussed at some length in a recent
numSer CT the Saturday Evening Post. "
/ but the writer only touches upon the
! benefits OF the services Of az expert
/ in the usual salesToom where patrons OF
art are accustomed to visit when in need
Of pictures for their private collections.
or for the hcme. BY far a more expert
! service has been devised for the exhibit
I tions Of the large art societies Who
show annually the work Of their mem
( bers. and where it is understood pic
/ lures can be purchased by application
at the desk Of the attendant in charge.
/ While the services of the art Aoor
walker have not been called into use
/ in this city, in some cities the expert
ment OF having a visitor who apparently
/ has strolled into the gallery TO see
/ the collection. and who uses his skill in
/ explaining the merits OF the pictures.
has proved a great advantage in in
/ creasing the number of sales. The visi-
tor does not pretend to know the prices
OF any of the works. but his value con-
I sists in forming acquaintance among
I other visitors, and in drifting into a
discussion OF the pictures on view.
Having found out by adroit question
! ing the particular picture or pictures in
which the prospective purchaser is in
/ tCrcsted. IL is his duty 10 give pleas
ant talk on the subject. and by well di-
rected comparison Of this work with 9TH
CT work on exhibition he fatters the
choice OF the purchaser. and having Sc
cured his confidence. the talk about the
Cr. value AID the commercial value of
the picture selected commences. BY care
iul insinuation of the speculative value
OF the picture. and by some apt Illus
trations of the rapidity with which
choice pictures enhance in value. the
commercial instincts of the purchaser
are aroused. and. II money is plenty in
his pocket. the attendant at the desk
soon has an opportunity to record a sale
Whether the end justifies the means or
rot is a question that each society will
have TO settle for itself. bur the plan
has been tried, and il is claimed that
/ the increased number Of sales show that
people are ready 10 buy II they can feel
assured that the picture selected has
been well chosen.