Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
ART NOTES.

A special exhibition of paintings by Mr..
Lucien Powell was opened on Tuesday of
this week In the Veerhoff gallery. 1t con-
sists of q collection of thirty or more works
oils and water colors, some of which are
merely sketches, whereas others are care
ruily studied and finished pictures. In sub
ject there is also great variety, the field of
vision extending from the mountains of
Colorado to the blue waters of the Mediter-
ranean II Is painter of Venetian pic
lures that Mr.. Powell is best known. and
large Venice sunset which hangs directly
opposite the entrance to the gallery will be
found to be in his familiar Turneresque
style. There are however, in the exhibition
three other Venetian paintings numbers
10, II and 80, which are altogether In
different strain and possess more distinct
i've personality. These are painted in a
high key without forced effect of light or
color. The last. in which there are no
buildings to distract the eye with problems
in perspective, is of the three the most at
tractve, but each Is interesting and ex-
ceedingly decora tive.
There is dramatic painting of a sunset
over the sea, picture of the Matterhorn
and view of the canyon of the Colorado
which will doubtless attract attention.
though they are not as notable as some
of the simpler subjects. These were the
kinds of subjects which Thomas Moran
paiHttu CillGfiy ana WHICH the DuDl1c or a
decade ago delighted in, but which of IA tie
years have, to put 1t kindly. gone out of
fashion" They not in themselves UNI
interesting, but their imposing grandeur
Is. or seems to be, beyond the power of
human Interpretation To offset this group
there are number of simple landscapes
painted near Washington or in Virginia.
Number Il, which hangs to the left of
the entrance plcturing path between
sloping fields bordered by fir trees and
autumn tinted naples, is one of these,
ana while not mastery painting plainly
demonstrates the charm to be found IN
simple themes. Two water color sketches
of wood interiors are also interesting in
certain particulars. They are rough and
not altogether harmonious, but they have
rugged strength and carry with them a
conviction of truth which some of the more
finished works lack. This spo1taneity is
the charm of the Venetian water colors
which were sketches made out of doors
when Mr.. Powell spent summer in Venice
two years ago. They were exhibited II the
Hemicycle of the Corcoran Gallery winter
before last, but they are good enough TO
welcome second showing. The exhibition
will continue until March s.
x
The third subcompetition of the Archtec-
tural Clubs travelling scholarship was held
at the Octagon House last Saturday even
ing. The subject a group of college
buildings, and the only award made was a
the previous competition won honorable
mention for his orangery design. The fourth
ana last Subcompetltion Will come IN April,
and the final award will be made the
first Saturday in June. The competition is
open to all members of the club.
Both the Architects Club and the Society
of Washington Artists are making arrange
ments for their annual exhibitions which
for several years past have been held con-
jointly, the one occupying the atrium and
the other the hemicycle of the Corcoran
Gallery. This year the same division of
space will be again made, but the architects
will not open their exhibition until week
after the painters have held their private
view as they find that il will be impossible
to get together and install the exhibits be-
fore the last of March. 1t is almost too
early to forecast the character of these ex-
hibitions, but il may be said that a number
of distinguished out-of-town artists have
already signifled their intention of sending
exhibits, and that the officers of both or
ganizdtions profess themselves well satisfied
with the outlook.
Miss Hattie f. Burdette is just finishing
series of designs for a calendar which is
most attractive. They are painted in oils
on fiat unmounted canvas, and there is
cover design and a sheet for each season
Each pictures, in a circular frame, n beauti-
full young girl who in herself suggests the
time of year for which her panel stands.
Spring is dainty but progressive, Summer is
quietly joyous, Autumn is brave and vigor-
Gus, and Winter half retiring, half merry.
Tie colors and the accessories also have
been made harmonious Spring carries
peach blossoms and is gowned in delicately
coiored fabrics, Summer has as a back-
ground an apple tree in frait, and holds IN
her hand mandolin. Autumn is represented
in rich array against conventional design
of grapes and Winter is seen wrapt i'll a
mantle of red before some tall pine trees.
The feeling in all is excellent and the enect
is admirable. They are simple, out their
lines are clear cut ard good and their COZ
ors delightfully."- harmonious. They are
both decorative and original.
Mr. Hobart Nichols has just finished an
interesting picture. 1t shows two horses
a bay and a white, hitched to a pillow, be-
yond which two men have built little
refuse fire to warm themselves. 1t is very
early spring or late winter; the ground is
covered with the dead stubble and the
nearby line of woods which runs parallel
to the lower edge of the frame and cuts
off the vista is still gray and lifeless. The
interest in the picture is centered in the
horses. They are well drawn and very
Characteristic wearing the patient, COM
placent mien of the customary farm
drudge The mems figures, too, have been
well felt and nicely placed, and the land
scape surroundings are not without deli
mite interest. There Is real freshness in
the air and more than a suggestion of
warmth in the curling smoke which rises
from the little smoldering fire. 1t is not
merely a well-painted team of pillow horses
but rather picture in which every unit
has wel-defined place in the composition.
Miss Alice Reading, who for several years
has had studio in the Art League build |
ing has recently returned from an eX-
tended stay in California whence she went
to execute some portraits. AS some SINH
lar commissions in southern Maryland will |
occupy her until late in the spring, she will
not for the present reopen her Washington
studio.
Mr. Charles II. Niehaus, the sculptor has