Evening star., 1904-03-19

deed, one of the notable paintings in this
J exhibition, for though extremely simple
| and direct it possesses a bigneSS which
| cannot be measured by linear inches. 1t
! is excellent in tone and good in value, but
| what is more, it has real depth. The be-
holder in viewing it forgets that 1t Is a
| painting and feels creeping over him the
| conviction that he too might traverse that
same road by merely stepping through the
| frame. To the novice this would seem the
| acme of realism, but to the initiated 1t
! stands a demonstration of the realistic
| power of Interpretation.
| Another animal painting of much interest
| is that of two horses hitched to a ploW,
| which hangs some distance to the right or
| Mr.. Walkers picture, and was painted by
| Mr.. Hobart Nichols of this city, the secre-
| tary of the Society of Washington Artists.
l 1t pictures frosty morning in early spring.
| The ground is covered with dry, gray stub
| BILE, the line of woods which edge the field
| are cold and leafiess, and the -workmen
| are seen warming their hands by the
| meager blaze of refuse fire. The interest
| is centered in the horses, white and
| bay as they stand waiting for their day
| of labor to begin-and this is well. But
| on the other hand, the animals are a com
| ponent part of the picture and cannot be
| separated from their surroundings 1t is
| quiet picture. exceedingly atmospheric well
| composed and full of nice feeling. pic
| ture which will wear well-improviEg upon
| acquaintance Mr.. Nichols also contributes
| q notable portrait; a likeness of himself:
| This is a small canvas, low in tone ana
1 simply painted, yet pervaded with personal
| ity and extremely effective and satsfacto-
| ry 1t is an admirable likeness but it is
| more than that, for to a remarkable degree
| it portrays character and at the same time
| demonstrates the power of the medium IN
| subtle rendering.
In Marked Contrast.
| In direct contrast to this portrait is the
portrait of Representative Robert r. HIT
of Illinois, painted recently by Anders Zorn,
| the great Scandinavian artist, while on
| flying visit to this country. This has been
| hung almost opposite the door of the Heml-
| cycle and on account of its force and color,
will probably first attract the eye OF the
visitor upon entrance. 1t was painted in
| Mr. Hits home and pictures the represen-
tative in his own library surrounded by his
books 1t is very modern but very
mastery painting. Somewhat after the
manner SargentS work, it is less charac-
| terstic but more finished The head mas
been we'll studied and constructed, Dut no
| less care has apparently been expended on
| the clothing and other accessories. Inc
red which has been introduced in the blnd-
! ngs of the books gives the picture conn
nant note and, while enhancing us erect
| sets forth the marvellous skill of the painter.
| or more properly demonstrates his mas
| terry of material. Owing to the fact that
! this portrait was the work of a foreigner
! it was not eligible for prize ,,,7. +ta
!
| same wall is q likeness Of Secretary MOODY,
| which was lately painted by MI FRANK W.
| Renson of Salem Mass, who has done IN
| the past distinguished work lndeeo "
! those who know Mr.. Benson work pest
| this portrait will be an unpleasant SURPRISE,
| as it falls far beneath the standaro ne i nos
| heretofore maintained 1t is haro' nieiess
| and unintereSting. 1t is PANTY ana lacks
| atnoosnhere and. though it may be recos-
| rfzable likeness, it can never be cotsiueieu .S
! a good portrait. That an artist OF sucn
| wide and deserved reputation coula PAM ~
| so poor a picture may be consolalIoii "
| some of the lesser lights who fail OCCASION
! aIlv hut that he should allow 1t TO leave
| bis studio is difficult to understand ana
| much to be regretted.
| Subject and Painter.
| To the general public there Is naturais'
/ and rightly, a division of interest between
| the subject and the painter, put II heeu'
| not the rank of Mr.. Harold Macdohalo
| distinguished sitter to make MS portiail VI
| Admiral George Remey one OF the hotaoie
| works in this exhibition. 1t is a half length
| strongly painted with marked vigor ana
| ease, and while perhaps trif1e marc, - Lar
| above the standard of the generanty OF
| modern portraits Mr.. Spencer b. Nichols
| portrait of Mr.. John R. Hill, the chief OF
| the engraving division of the bureau Oh en-
| craving and printing, is also strong ana
| admirable work, showing broad, simple
/
| In the possession of these same qualities
/ Mr. Morse's portrait of DR.. Howard, which
/ hangs on the line to the left of the en-
| trance, becomes of note and is sure TO at
/ tract favorable attention.
| Joseph De Camps portrait of Joseph
| Baker, Draughtsman," is plain simple
| painting, admirably handled, and for its
| unusual merit accorded prominent
1 place on the line of the Pennsylvania Acad-
| emy exhibition. Mr.. Orlando Rowiands
portrait of Mrs. Haviland is less good and
not as pleasing as his portrait of his fellow
| artist, Mr.. Irving Wiies, which is now on
| exhibition i'll the loan room of the Cor
| coran Gallery; but in Mrs. Adelaide Cole
Chases Lady with a Muir there is some-
l thing uncommonly attractive and charm
! ing Mrs. Chase is a member of the Cop
/ ley Society of Boston and of the Society OF
| American Artists, and the character of her
! work in this single exhibition should enti-
| tie her to high honor. Her touch is firm
and virile, her color is good, and, what is
more, she gets In her work certain feeling
| which is true and at the same time appeal
ing.
From this it will be natural to turn to
portrait study by Mr.. William NJ. Chase of
| a young girl In Japanese costume reading
or holding in her lap Japanese book AS
| the former Is direct and vigorous, so is
this low toned and subtle, study in
| browns and grays, or symphony In orien-
| tai shadows. 1t is elusive yet tangible, low
| In tone yet rich in color, odd yet perfectly
| rational. A poem, perhaps. for the subtle
| ty of its charm evades common words In
| sympathy with this feeling, yet in the
strongest contrast. is the portrait study of
The Reader. by Mrs. Jane Brigham
Child, an upright panel which hangs to the
left. This might, indeed be called "a study
| in whites" for 1t pictures young girl in
flowing gown of white, against a white
| opalescent background. In her hand she
holds little book, and on her head rests a
! wreath of golden olive leaves. 1t Is DIFF
| ficult problem, but 1t is one which Mrs
Child was peculiarly fitted to solve. There
| is no one who handles white in pasteis with
the same brilliancy that Mrs Child does
and in this study she displays more than
| her usual skill. In drawing and construc-
tion this work Is excellent and as a whole
It is extremely decorative in effect
i Two Notable Works.
Some of this feeling for decoration turks
in both of the paintings sent by Mr.. John