The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-18

Fourteen OF the nineteen paintings by
American artists. purchased by the St
Louis Club at the Worlds Fair. were
formally unveiled and accepted at the
club last night
More than 100 members were present and
as the canyases were uncovered they
were greeted with hearty applause. There
was particularly loud applause when 1t
was announced that the entire collection
was composed Of works painted by artists
OF the Tr:tasi States
Captain w p Hodges, chairman Of the
Art Committee which selected the pic
lures IN his remarks preliminary 10 The
uuyeiling stated that he and his col
leagues had found In looking over the art
galleries al the Fair that the works Of
Americans equsled in beauty and excel
lance of execution those of any other na-
ton represented
For this reason It was decided to give
them the preference in choosing art works
to adorn the club. Captain Hodges stated
that the club had acquired its collection
artistic value, and that there was no pic
ture in it which any collector might not
be proud to possess.
The pictures are hung in the two rooms
in the south side of the building on the
first floor. Owing to delay IN arrange
ments with the customs officials it was
impossible to get the remaining five in
time To accept them last night They will
be delivered within the next few days
About one year ago it was decided to
take advantage Of the Worlds Fair TO
purchase paintings for the club building.
A committee comprising Captain Hodges,
Charles Parsons, John Fowler, Y. K.
Bixby and Edward Mallinckrodt was ap-
pointed TO make the selection. Subscip-
tons amounting to about 5000 were made
by members to make the purchases, but
considerably more than that was spent.
During the course of the Exposition the
commmittee went about its work of ex-
animation, but it was not until within the
last two weeks that the final choice was
made. Owing to the lateness and the ab-
sence OF other buyers, the committee was
able to buy the pictures at considerably
less cost than would have been possible
earlier
MANY PRIZE PICTURES.
The collection for the most part con-
sists of landscapes typical of the Ameri-
can school Several OF the paintings were
among those which created the most in
terest and favorable comment by art
critics during the Exposition.
One Of the gems of the collection is The
Spring" by Will H. Low. This is a nude
female figure. beautifully drawn and filed
with rich mellow color. Low has taken
numerous prizes, and his pictures are
among the most desired by collectors both
in America and abroad.
Alexander T. Van Lear's two pictures.
''BronxvilIe Meadow and ''Ploughing the
Bog" are of the variety of which a lover
OF art never tire. The latter. a water
color. is considered one of his master
pieces.
The News of the Day" by Emma
Lampert Cooper is an exquisite interior,
resembling at first glance the modern
Dutch school. 1t shows a peasant woman
seated by the fire in kitchen. Close OBJ
servation shows the details splenddly
worked out, and discovers the fact that it
is strictly American in style.
Carleton Virgins Evening on Cape
Cod depicts a rolling vista of rolling
landscape 1t is filed with warm sun
light and is a delight to look at.
"...c club members were unanimous in
.heir expressions Of congratulation to the
played in the selection.