The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-06-17
ART AND =
ARTISTS

afterward found to have been painted
in back streets of London and various
tight little towns of the continent
Among these wonderful masterpieces
figured certain Raphael madonna,
before which Morgan's friends fell
down and did homage but when was
discovered to be a rank imposture of
the year 1901 or Whereabouts. 1t was
only few months ago that great
istico-commercialo plot was un-
earthed in Paris, in which fashion
able picture dealer and an impecuni-
Gus. if talented, young art student,
were the principals. The latter was
turning out Corots, Millets, Daubig-
nys and other painters Of the Barbi-
ION Schoo. by the score, which the
picture dealer was selling to guilt
BILE Americans for fabulous prices,
altho, the accomplished imitator only
got a few dollars apiece. These for
geries were so clever as to deceive the
shrewdest critics and the ablest con-
noisseurs. The truth is that the very
best work and the very worst Of the
Barbizon school Of painters has long
since found lis way into the public
museums and galleries and private
collections and it is only upon an oc-
caslonal sale of the latter that a
good example gets into the hands of
the dealers. In the auction rooms
| the prices of canvases painted by
members Of the Barbizon School have
, declined notably recently, very much
like the prices of Kelmscott books.
The latter few years ago were
bringing dizzy prices, but within the
past year collectors have become
apathetic, and one can get Kelm-
scott now, if he will "look sharp a,
a very decent figure.
: Of the Barbizon School shown
here, the Corot, if genuine, is an inter
esting example of that artists man.
agement of masses. but the writer
does not hesitate to say that two
thirds of the pictures to be found in
the room devoted to the work of the
local artists, are superior as pictures,
pure and simple, to the Daubig, v
which hangs in the North room.
Shorn of its name this latter canvas
would be passed with glance. Tiis
is made in no unkind spirit Of crit
cism, but to emphasize the fact tia:
the position taken by the writer Of
| this column some years since with
reference to the work of the local ar
lists, which the latter maintained. in
spite of polite shrugg. ngS Of shoulders
/ displayed remarkable promise, was a
| tenable one as it has now come abou!
| that the most interesting, attractive
and meritorious display Of painting
| shown this year is from the brushes
Of several of the loca. artists, and
also to emphasize Tie fact that the
most repre- sentative examples Of al
artists work cannot be secured from
picture dealers. A public cannot ac
quire discrimination in matters per
tair:ng to art by shouting universe
paeans Of adulation. The foreign pic
lures shown add value to the oyh;bi
tior but as opportunities for compar
ison rather than performances.
| Two delightful pictures shown thi:
year are from Mr.. William A. Me
cord, of Cincinnati, an artist who il
lseen far 100 irfreguentlv in exhibi
tions, his "Wild Roses" seen herr
being subject in which Mr.. McCort
is especially happy, exemplifed in 1
picture exhibited her, several year
laco called ga June Day" Both O
These nj, lures are wonderfully sinpl
} III subject, mere stretches of lusl
grass with a tangle Of green as Otter
seen in tie open. a-i bit Of sky
tenderly handled, ga Kentucky Cab
in,' is more ambitious in compost
ton, but is admjrabi, in Technical
qualities, and cha ming in color
with a vibrancy Of atmospheric eff
/ feet seductive to the eye, the man
a.eineni Ct the si.;dcw i. The fore
e-n:!nl Icing It'll. t.;..mph in il
: way. n; Mcf'ofl combines a rene,