Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-25

of mere beauty or intrinsic worth seems
incredible. but 1t is true. 1t is impossible
in this particular to define art. but those
who know its ear-marks could no more fail
to recognize it in the hand-wrought objects
in this exhibition than in a great painting
or a renowned sculpture. But more than
that, 1t was shown to be universal. The
work which was exhibited came from sew
eral localities and from many workers.
Some of the contributors were trained IN
the best schools, others were literally I'M
lettered There were wonderful specimens
of iewelry designed and made by Miss Car
son of Cleveland, Miss Bennett and Miss
Lavaron of Chicago. Silver and gold were
used in some instances, but in most cases
the baser metals were employed in con-
junction with enamel, shells and odd stones.
and the charm of the products was derived
through the cddity and artistic excellence
of the design and workmanship: From
Deerfeld, Mass, where the arts and crafts
movement origina ted, came woven rugs ana
baskets; from New Bedford came richly
inaid wooden articles; from bingham that
quaintest of New England towns, the sweet
scented old Bayberry dips, and from the
west came the tall. graceful candlestlcks
in which they were displayed. Berea, NY,
sent a quantity OF hangings and spreads
woven on hand looms by the poor mountain
people and given by them in payment OF
tuition for their children. And from New
Orleans were sent specimens of the New
comb pottery made in lieu of college fees
by the students of Newcomb College Ihat
the exhibition could not have been of long
er duration seemed to have been Its only
unfortunate feature.
X *
Mr. Hobart Nichols exhibition of paint
ings at Veerhoff's, which continues until
the first of March, has proved most sue
cessful. Not only has it been well at
| tended but large number of the pictures
have been sold This is a substantial form
of appreciation which is most gratifying,
and that it should be accorded local
| painter is not without significance. Mr..
Nichols is to be congratulated, but SO also
are the twelve or fifteen persons who have
come into possession of his works.
* x
Mr.. Edward Lind Morse has recently
finished an excellent portrait of Captain
| Marble the son of the late commissioner of
patents 1t shows him in full dress uni
form against a simple, dark green back
ground 1t is less than a half-length, but
much character is expressed in the pose.
The color is clear and positive, the model
ing direct and firm, and it has been pro-
nounced admirable likeness
!. !,
| Mr. Kemeys and his wife have modelled,
| of late, lynx creeping upon its prey
which in every respect must be counted
| most notable piece of sculpture. The great
cat is pressed close to the ground and
strained to its utmost length. All the
| cunning and ferocity of its race is ex-
| pressed in the pose and apparent action.
| Its 1.-THE muscles are taut; all its senses on
| the alert Anatomically it has been con-
structed with the utmost care and accuracy
| and artistically it has been Interpreted with
| much feeling Its position admits of broad
treatment, and the figure has been modelled
Ollt of 10 ather than placed upon 1t.
From end to end it probably does not
measure more than ten inches, yet it is not
| lacking in solidity nor dignity. Mr.. kemeys
| himself regards it as one of his best works,
| and it undoubtedly deserves to be placed
| in that category.
Miss Hattie E. Burdette is just finishing
| a most winsome portrait of DR.. Winners
little son. 1t is in pastels and shows the
wee man. in a white linen blouse, hat
less, against a tapestry background. The
color is fresh and admirable, the modelling
broad and vigorous. And yet with all it is
picture, for in the general scheme much
| thought has evidently been given to decora-
tive effect. The pose is quiet and restful,
but something in the expression suggests
the boys vivacity, and beyond the mere
resemblance is the little lad already deH-
mite personality.
* X
Mr.. Freeman Thorp has returned to Wash
ington and reopened his studio on Capitol
| Hill. During the early part of the winter
he painted a number of portraits of proml-
nent people in New York, among which
may be mentioned one of Mr.. Andrew Car
nesie At present he is at work upon
replica of this portrait which Mr.. James L.
McCleary of the House of Representatives
has ordered for the Carnegie Library in
his home town in Minnesota, and upon
| portrait from life of Gen. Charles II. Gros-
venor.
The trustees of the Metropolitan Museum
in reviewing the present situation and set
ting forth in a printed report their plans
for the future have expressed the inten-
ton of enlarging and developing the Ameri-
can collection. And in order to make their
wants definitely known they have append
ed list of American artists of prominence
who are now either not represented or
inadequately so in their collection. The
new director, Sir CaSpar Purdon Clark, has
come to this country to consult with the
trustees prior to assuming charge in Sep
TENDER, and a general overhauling and re-
organizing of the museum and its several
departments will shortly be begun.
X
The Philadelphia water color exhibition,
under the joint management Of the Penn
sylvania Academy and the Philadelphia
Water Color Club, will be opened on April
3. Exhibits must be sent on March 20 and
81. Collection will be made in New York
and Philadelphia and possibly, by special
arrangement in Washington.
x
X
Edwin A. Abbey has just finished a large
historical painting for the Royal Exchange
which is attracting much attention in Lon
don. 1t pictures a peace banquet held in
1854 at which Lord Mayor Billeston adjust
ed the difficulties of the Merchant Tail
ors and the SINNERS Company.
X
The Society of American Artists an
nounces its twentyseventh annual exhibit
ton to be held in the fine arts galleries,
New York, from March % to April 80. Ex-
hibits will be received on the 9th and 10th.
Vanishing day has been designated as
March %. LEILA MECHL1N.
Mermaids Growing Scarce.
From Field and Stream.
The strangest of all strange fish must
surely be the manatee and the dugong. The