Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-05
ART NOTES.

Mr.. Edward Kemeys has spent large
part of the winter modelling two gigantic
black bears to flank the entrances of the
Missouri state building at the st. Louis
worlds fair. The casting of the great
brutes was successfully accomplished last
week, and the completed works are now
temporarily Oh exhibition at the sculptor's
studio. AS there are two entrances the
bears have been cast In duplicate. and the
in preston upon the visitor Is, at first, that
the pleasant work room has been invaded
by whole troop of bears. This impression
partly arises from the way the casts have
been arranged, each having been SO placed
that an entirely different view Is got of 1t
and its duplicate. Two are placed so that
they can be seen best from the side; one
appears to be approaching, and one In the
act of beating a retreat; thus, however, an
all-around estimate Of the merits Of the
works can be had. Mr.. dorado Taft, in his
recent book on American sculpture. gives
Mr.. kemeys the first place, by virtue OF
his achievements" among animal sculptors.
mo American has done more" he says,
Ito record the life of mountain and plain.
He knows his subjects thoroughly
one is almost tempted to say instinctively.
He has studied them alive and dead, and
has dissected every kind of four-footed
creature. He is too much of the artist
uoWeNeTp LOO intense a lover OF lie, TO
sacrifice, even to science, the larger truth.
1t is safe to say that no American
artist has more truly epitomized the spirit
of the animal Particularly in rendering
the moods of creatures of the cat tribe is
ne almost epigrammatic, while his bears,
their vast limbs crooked with power are
IN more senses than one irresistible" In
Mi. kemeys last work the truth Of these
statements is more than, attested. These
bears, rough, gruff, yet half-playful, are
indeed irresistible. They have been boldly
modelled and vigorously put together with
out much consideration Of detail but they
literally and delightfully."- translate the char
acter of the bear, and one feels alternately
drawn to and repulsed by the wild crea-
lures. In both cases the pose has been well
CHOSEN and the action admirably expressed.
Inc two are widely diverse, yet well fitted
to complement each other Thew have
been handled with great breadth. and pur-
posely modelled for outdoor exhibition. but
they show both thought and KNOWLEDGE in
thelr composition, and, while naturalistic.
possess distinctive decorative quality
rms afternoon and on Monday Miss
FRANCES Benjamin Johnston will exhibit In
her studio at 1882 v street collection of
interesting Japanese prints. A part of
this collection she herself got together re-
Gently while in California, but the rest has
been sent east for disposition by a San
francisco dealer. The majority are mar
row panels, many times as long as they
are wide, which date back from fifty to
hundred years. Some are by famous Japa-
nese artists, and almost all are in an ex-
cellent state of preservation. few rep
resent domestic scenes, and the deities, but
the majority, individually, set forth a sim
gle female figure. It is, however, techni-
ca!ly rather than subjectively that these
prints are interesting. It is the bold sweep
Hrnc a,l IT,
their colors which appeals to the trained
eye. They were originally intended to tell
story or to attract public attention, after
the fashlon or our modern posters, but it
that they are now esteemed. It has been
said with much truth that the appreciation
OF Japanese prints is an acquired taste,
but If all prints were patiently attract
I've as these the acquisition would be
quickly accomplished.
The opening Of Miss Johnston's studio to
the public upon these two afternoons is, in
itself, an event of considerable interest,
for, in spite of its modest situation and
exterior, it is one Of the most artistic and
attractive in Washington. It was built,
after Miss Johnston's own plans, in the
form of an L, at the rear of her home. On
the first floor are her work rooms and Of
ception room and her commodious studio.
All the appointments Of these upper rooms
are tasteful and we'll chosen The walls,
which have been tinted a light terra Gotta,
have been sparingly decorated with few
good pictures and rich, though inexpens-
i've, hangings The furniture is substan-
tial and simple. and the bric-a-brac has
been SO well selected and placed that 1t
decorates without being conspicuous.
There is in both these upper rooms an air
of init and hnry hoy ,Of,
ly momentarily pleasing, but permanently
restful and charming, and should teach
lesson in the art of decoration which many
might profitably take to heart.
X
A portrait of Mr.. Irving Wiles by Mr..
Orlando Rowland was placed on exhibition
in the Corcoran Gallery this week. This
painting was shown last year in the New
York Academy exhibition and has recently
been on view at the Cosmos Club in this
city 1t possesses for many double inter-
est; the subject. Mr.. Wiles. being painter
of considerable celebrity 1t was he, 1T will
be remembered, who painted the brilliant
portrait of Miss Julia Marlowe, which was
shown in the Society of Washington Artists
annual exhibition some two years ago, and
which has since become popularity known
through the Copley prints The portrait in
question is half length, and somewhat
under life size. 1t is painted with dry
brush, broadly and firmly. but it lacks car
rying qualities and conviction. 1t Is in many
ways an admirable work, but 1t Is not a
picture which, among many, would be sim
gled out for attention.
X
Four other interesting paintings were re-
ceived at the Corcoran Gallery this week-a
picture of Charlotte Corday by Merle two
groups of cows by Van Marke, and a small
water color of dogs. These were rescued
from the fire which recently destroyed
Grafton" the Virginia country home of
Mr.. Dulany, and they have been sent to the
gallery for restoration and safe keeping.
The frames and one of the Van Makes
were slightly damaged, but the Merle and
the other Van Marke, which is splendid
example of that masters work, are. fortu-
nately, altogether unframed