Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-20
A R T N @ T ES.

There has recently been placed on eyhfbi-
ton in the Fischer Gallery a remarkably
interesting canvas by Sir Laurenz Alma
Iadema, one of the most distinguished of
Englands modern painters It is an upright
panel, picturing with great realism a scene
IN that most magnificent of Roman club
houses, the Baths of Caracalla On a bench
in the foreground three Roman maidans
are seated, one facing the observer. two
turning in apparent conversation toward
their companion. Behind them. to the right
Is the great pool, with its many bathers
and beyond, to the left, is a portion of the
splendid colonnade which marked its bound
airy. In the distant corridors and alcoves
groups of Romans are seen idly passing the
time, while here and there a single figure
may be noted making hasty entrance or
egress 1t Is busy scene, but there is no
CONFUSION. Attention is focused upon the
women in the foreground, and to them the
rest has been made subseryient They make
the picture. and for them the imposing arch
Mcclure the animated scene, serve merely
as background. And vet no detail has
been overlooked or sighted; the smallest
OBJECT has received the same skillfuI atten-
ton that has been given to the principal
figures. Everything is definitely set forth
and nothing has been left to the magma
ton. Nothing save the secrets of the peo-
pie and the uneXplored recesseS of rba an,
parently endless halls In the line of tech
meal accomplishment it sounds the last
word; in the actual manage of paint
no man has gone farther. Every stone in
the wonderful tesselated floor could be
counted: the marble of the columns is az
perfect as the thing itself, and the dainty
robes of the women bathers are wrought
with consummate skill. And yet. with all
this work. it is more than a slavish imita-
ton; it possesses virtues more poisnant thar
iS -Itl, ,r,-
charming, finely composed delightful in
color-hfgh in key and yet tonefuI Ii is
more atmospheric than the majority of Sir
Alma-Tadema S paintings less hard of ont
line and equally as pictorial 1t is a picture
which would appeal directly to the casual
observer, but which at the same time couid
not fail to win applause from painters and
connoisSeurS.
A portrait of Mrs. T. 3. H Masons moth
er, the late Mrs Phelps, painted by Mr..
Robert Hinckley of this city was shown
lately, for brief time, at Veerhoff's 1t was
life size, but comparatively small canvas.
picturing little more than the head and
shoulders. The background was a single
unobtrusve color, and the lady's gown.
though low cut, was. through its tasteful
simplicity, unnoticeable The interest was
centered in the face and head which were
painted with both skill and reserve and the
whole was strongly pervaded by the gen
tie personality of the sitter. 1t was a por-
trait which in any collection would attract
notice, and while painted with none of the
modern noise and technique was more
virile and personal than are the majority
taken from photographs. Mr.. Hinckley is |
one of the best known and most success
full of the local painters, and he has had :,
busy winter. Since Christmas he has re-
ceived and executed twelve commissions
He is now finishing two three-uuarter length
portraits of Mr.. and Mrs. Green of Seattle
Wash.
The portrait which Mr.. Rolshoyen painted |
of Mrs. C. G. Mitchell when he was in this
city few weeks ago has not been pub
licly exhibited but those who have had the
privilege of seeing it in its owners home
have found it most interesting work 1t
is vigorous painting-strong. mastery and |
yet temperate. 1t shows definite contrast
of light and shade, and exhibits broad
handling, but the effect is not forced nor
the cleverness of the painter fragrant. The
pose is considered in every respect admi- |
rable. 1t presents distinct personality. yet |
ii does not in any sense obtrude that per-
sonality upon the observer. In a measure |
1t suggests Mr.. Sargent'S forcefuI brush |
work but it will be found more finished and |
more thoughtful than the majority OF lis |
canvaSes. Certain passages have been Pc |
culiarly well painted and in tonal quail |
ties the portrait is specially rich. In its |
quiet reserve it contrasts sharply with the |
oddly decorative portrait by Mr.. Rolshoven |
which was exhibited in the Fischer gallery |
of late, and also through its free handling. |
equally definitely with the highly finished |
picture of the sala of a doge's palace. |
shown in the Society of Washington Artists |
exhibition. Three more individual paint |
ings could scarcely be named, and that all |
three should stand to the credit of single