Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-28

done and does this and its past exhibitions
strongly testify. The work shown Is seri-
Gus. thoughtful and sane. The most ad-
vanced methods of Interpretation are set
forth in the works of earnest professionals
but no room Is given to merely clever pro-
auctions. or to works in which novelty alone
bids for notice. Technique is in every case
subordinated to the result. 1t is the paint
ing and not the painter which first claims
attention, and for this reason the exhibition
will doubtless possess as strong an attrac-
ton for the layman Is for the artist or con-
nOiSSeur- On the artists side the subjects
have been carefully and well rendered, but
from the layman's standpoint they have
first been we'll chosen.
There is this year. seemingly, a larger
out-of-town representation than usual Bal
timore, Philadelphia and New York studios
have contributed a considerable portion of
the show, and some of the works come
from as far as Florida, Rhode Island, the
Pacific coast. Manila, Paris and Amster-
dam. This is indeed an encouraging sign,
indicating an established reputation and an
outside appreciation of the merit of the eX-
hibitions. 1t was with this end In view,
as we'll as TIC stimulate and encourage the
efforts of local painters, that the trustees
of the gallery first offered, in 1860, the
two, now annual, prizes of $1C0 and $50,
respectively, to the best two works cXhib-
tied, to which awards Mr.. A. j. Parsons,
both last year and this, has added indi-
Vidualy, third of $50 for the best land
scape painted in water colors by a Wash
ingtOn a1ist.
The Award of Prizes.
The jury to award these prizes composed
this year of Mr. f. c. Messer, the director
of the Corcoran School; Mr.. Harold Mac
Donald, who has high rank as a portrait
painter, and Mr.. J. G. Hornblower, the
architect, met on Wednesday afternoon,
and after careful consideration and lengthy
deliberation announced the winners fol-
lows: The first Corcoran prize of $10O to
Mr.. William Fuller Curtis for his panel
entitled Sea Fairies second, Corcoran
prize, $50, to Miss Mathilde Mueden, for
her water-cOlor portrait study Of ''Old
JAM" the Parsons prize, $50, to Mr.. James
Henry Moser for his Adirondack land
scape called after the Storm, and hon
orabe mention to Sky Scrapers, Peunsyl-
vania Square," by Mr. Colin Campbell
Cooper of Philadelphia; to The Veteran
a landscape by Mr.. Frederick w. Jackson
of Baltimore, and to study in pastel en-
titled ''Estelle," by Miss Hattie E. Bur-
dette of this city.
The decision of jury rarely meets with
such unanimous approval has been ac-
corded to this one; but while the compet
ton was sharp and close, the awards are
obviously reasonable, wise and just, and
must of necessity be appreciated and I'M
derstood by all
The panel by Mr.. Curtis, which received
the first award, Is one of the most original
works that has for several years appeared
in a local exhibition. and is to the farthest
degree beautiful and artistic 1t is painted
on wood in water colors and metallic
paints and represents a number of fish
frolicking among the leaves of beautiful
aquatic plant Each is of different form
and color, each has a varied position vet
all are in unison and conformity form a
rhythmical composition. In line and color
1t is exquisite, and in composition and
execution II is altogether unique AS an
interior decoration it is an innovation. and
from the first 1t has promised to be the
sensation of this exhibition.
Miss Mueden's portrait, which received
the second honor, is a tiny little affair,
picturing an elderly peasant wearing a
though many times its size, showing excel
lent drawing, fine modelling and more
over admirable feeling.
Mr.. Moser's water color to which was
given the Parsons prize. shows at close
range a purple mountain top among the
scattering clouds, and is both realistic and
extremely picturesque. The subject 1T pre-
sents is one of the most difficult to inter-
pref, and 1t has been rendered in manner
little short of mastery.
Honorable Mention.
Of the three pictures honorably men,
toned, two are from out of town-Mr
Cooper's "Sky Scrapers'' and Mr. Jack
sons "Old Veteran" so named, no doubt,
from the massive tree which occupies the
middle distance. The former Is distinctly a
novelty, both subjectively and technically,
but Is wrought with more than common
SKILL and may be truly termed an artistic
interpretation, whereas the latter has been
generally conceded to be one of the most
notable landscapes In the exhibition. 1t
suggests. indeed, some old English idyll,
and is il itself poem worthy of a better