The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-05

=" He gift which accompanied the
first commencement exercises OF
Trinity College for women-an
art gallery and notable collection of
paintings, sculpture and works in black
and white-gave an accent TO the entire
week of festivities. Before the Greek
play OF Monday afternoon the sixteen
young women of the senior class had
piloted their families into the new build
ing and through the long high rooms in
which the works Of art are hung Tues
day afternoon the gift was formally &C
cepted BY the gentle faced sister su-
periOr who controls the college with so
kindly yet so firm a grip. Wednesday
class-day exercises took TO the college
the greatest number Of visitors, and the
comforting of degrees on Thursday prac-
tically brought the ceremonies 20 a close.
On both days the new art galleries
were a conspicuous object or attention
No one who viewed the collection on
any Of these days will be in the least
surprised. The wonder will be. on the
contrary. that even the silent Sisters OF
Notre Dame could nave received such a
benefaction. followed the construction
OF so impressive a building. and seen the
installation OF so valuable an array OF
pictures " ,hout taking the public into
their conn ience.
Like The two other sections Of the
main college building, the O'Connor Art
Gallery IS Of blue granite. three stories
high and OF adapted Gothic architecture.
IT stands as the middle wing Of the
whole structure projecting like the arm
OF the letter w" The interior is built
about a series Of corridors filled with
white plaster Corinthian pillars with
bases of natural oak like tire wains-
cOting. The effect IS most unusual
partly that OF cloister and partly that
Of a college-and Is much admired. The
ground floor IS planned as n lecture
hall. and is beautifully fitted for that
use. There the commencement exer-
cises were held and the girls in the
glee club gave their concert On the
second floor this space IS subdivided
into a main gallery Of the same length
as the lecture hail. but not so wide. and
three smaller rooms along the south
side.
Gathered With Loving Care.
For this space above the lecture room
Judge and Mrs. Miles p. O'Connor, of
Los Angeles. Cal. have provided a coll
lection Of art objects TO which they
have given loving care for half a cen
fury. Mrs O'COnnCr was herself al
ardent art student in her youth and
painted with much skill For several
years she studied IN Rome. While there
she made the acquaintance Of the rising
native artists OF that day and grew into
an intimate appreciation OF their atti-
tude toward the great religious master
the Roman Capital. Florence. Naples.
and Venice. Even at that time she be-
gan 10 collect such copies Of those
works as seemed TO possess the spirit OF
the originals.
From year 10 year she and her hus-
band added 70 this collection and widen
ed its scope. Neither cared greatly to
gather a large gallery Of latter day orig
inals. but both were deeply interested
IN Inc black and white reproductions
ana 80 the expansion Of their gallery
took the direction Of rare engravfnzs
ana line hrst-proof etchings instead Of
original oils or water colors. From time
TO time. also, they bought especially
beautiful miniatures. mosaics. and paint
ings on ivory or porcelain.
This collection IL Is which has now
come 10 the District OF Columbia for II =
permanent home. Both Judge O'Connor
and his wife at first desired that il r.
main In Los Angeles. where the former
sat on the bench for many years and
had wide reputation as an orator. They