Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-21
ART NOTES.

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The chief event of interest this week has
been the Photographic salon, which opened
IN the hemicycle of the Corcoran Gallery
last Saturday evening. The private view
and reception was an exceedingly pleasant
affair, and the attendance throughout the
week has been uncommonly large and
gratifying. This exhibition Is one which
all can understand and enjoy and its finer
points have, it seems. not failed of appre-
citation. The prints, the majority of which
are neatly matted and appropriately
framed, have been hung as nearly as posi-
bio in accordance with the consecutive
numbering of the catalogue, so that each
contributors work is to be seen collectively
and the titles of the. exhibits are to be
found with little difficulty They form a
triple and in some places quadruple row
around the hemicycle, which is an ordi-
nary exhibition would be Objectionable. but
In this instance is found desirable, as it
equalizes to some extent the dispropor-
tionate relationship OF the hall and the ex-
hsbits. Heretofore photographs have been
shown in this gallery at distinct disad-
vantage, Its linear measurements and espe-
cially high ceiling reducing the little pic
lures to the insignificance of postage
stamps. This the massing of frames has
obviated, so that at the outset the present
show presents an impressive appearance.
both day and evening next week, closing on
the morning of the 18th, after which it will
be sent to Chicago. the next city on it's
circuit.
X x
On Monday in the V. G. Fischer gallery
an exhibition of water colors by Mr.. F.
Hopkinson Smith will be opened to the
public 1t consists of forty-five recent
water colors and is virtually the same col
lection which has just been exhibited and
attracted much attention. in the Noe gal
lery, New York 1t includes the usual
Venetian scenes, some Normandy land
scapes and some very unusual pictures of
San Sebastian, the famous Spanish seaside
resort. All are technically clever and sub
iectiyely picturesque Mr.. Smith is one of
the many-talented few; he has arrived at
distinction as an engineer, writer and a
painter. Many have marveled that ne could
with equal success and facility build break
waters, write books and paint pictures, but
upon scrutiny it will be found that much
the same talent is required for the three
an artistic temperament and an infinite ca
pacty for taking pains. Mr.. Smith paints
as he writes and writes as he paints, at
the same time seriously and lightly; seeing
pictures and relating facts with a straight
forWardneSS and bon hOmme which seem TO
take the reader Or observer Immediately
into his confidence Those who remember
a similar exhibitions Of Mr.. F. Hopkinson
Smiths water COi0fS- WHICH was III
the hemicycfe of the Corcoran Gallery
few seasons ago will understand the sig
nifcance of the approaching show, and all
will doubtless find in it event Of very
real interest.
Mr. Fischer has, moreover, now on exhibit
ton in his gallery two new and impressive
paintings by Marcus Simon. who, 1T will
be remembered, painted the series of Par
sifal pictures which was exhibited here and
In New York last winter. One of these Is
likewise a Wagnerian subject, THE Pre-
Jude to Lohengrn," an imaginative pictur-
ing of what the artist thought was in the
great composers mind before he wrote the
famous score. churchly interior is rep
resented a benediction is being said, and
red-robed figures bow in reverent devo-
ton in the choir stalls. crucifiX is sus-
pended high up above the chancel ana
from the Savior'S hands and feet now
tiny streams of the redeeming blood. An
angel choir is visible, and in the air there
seems to be a myriad of heavenly hosts. 1t
is figurative and unreal-a dream, vision
brilliantly colorful, but not fragrant; scin-
tillating with light, mysterious with air.
The other is more mundane theme, Gas
ties in the Air'-possibly warning.
boatful of forlorn-looking pilgrims are pic
tured sailing on perilous sea toward the
castle which they can never reach. The
color scheme again is daring. the subject
impossible, yet so clever Is the compost
ton, so mastery the technique, that the
one invites thought and the other admira-
ton. They are too new and too far from
the ordinary to determine as yet their
merit, but that the imaginative qualities
which they set forth are rare and COM
mendable no one can deny.
X X
The Corcoran School has reopened for the
season of '05 with full quota of students.
The antique class, the lowest, has increased
In numbers and in standard, and through
out the school spirit of earnest determine
ton and feeling of encouragement seem
to prevail. The January art talk was
given by Mr.. Moser, who took as his theme
THE Winter Landscape" He spoke first
Of the current belief that winter pictures
meant snow pictures. and he pointed out to
his hearers the beauty of the bare ground
and leaf1ess trees. An artist he said, was
made, il he were not born. by an intending
love of the beautiful, combined with an
ability for self-sacrifice and a capacity for
hard work. And art today he declared TO
be nothing more or less than medium of
transcribing beauty. Passing from general
izations, he produced and read to the stu
dents and other. listeners a description
which he had written twenty years ago in
New England of a January thaw. 1t gave
a series of verbal winter, pictures seen from
the painters standpoint which were fuli OF
realism ana suggestion 10 those VINO "eie
themselves groping for the big trees In the
winter landsca pea g These. talks, desuitory
and informal as they5are. have become quite
feature of the school and have been found
most profitable. 81 49, T.
.tgt* on
Mr.. William Fuller Curtis Is finishing
panel in burnt wood upon which he has been
at work at odd timess for number of
months. 1t alleg9ricaly, sets forth Love
and Labor clarifying Life, and is subdivided
into three small panels, :, The middle one
pictures Life. a female figure. with yelled
eyes. squarely facing tho observer, over
whose head Labor, TO, the right, and Love.
to the left, are uphoiding the halo or gloria.
All three are youthful and beautiful women.
Life. the lower part of whose face alone Is
seen. shows calmness and courage; Labor Is
strong. yet womanly; Love brave, yet APP
pealing. The work is boldly laid out and
gracefully executed. In the sentiment there
is no tinge of false sentimentality, and as
decoration 1t is first fitting and then lnl-
pressiye. The background Is architectural
In design and made in part to suggest mo-
safe In color 1t ranges from a warm, light
| brown TO a dark walnut. touched here ana
there with bronze. 1t will without question
be feckOned among Mr.. Curtis most sue