Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-26

looked by the seeker for names and bar
gains Many pictures seem good at first
and it is by no means the>Enost costly ones
that are the best
Miss Ellen Day Hale has painted, recent
ly. an interesting portrait of Mrs. Gardiner
Hubbard 1t is three-quarter length and
pictures her seated in an armchair. of sim
pie design. turned trlfie to the right. One
hand rests in her lap. the other on the arm
of the chair. while the eyes look straight
and attentively into those of the observer.
The background is brown relieved by an
inclination toward gray and buff; the gown
black and unobtrusive. First and last II Is
portrait-a characterization. The brush
work is broad, but reticent. The painter
does not put forth her own personality, but
through her ease of expression wins ready
conviction. There is nothing hating or Inn
mature in her handling. but there is much
reserve The artists strength does not
seem to be overstrained, nor is the person.
atty of her sitter too openly portrayed 1t
is an unusual work and a pleasing one
thoughtful. sympathetic and at the same
time skillful.
Mr.. Edward kemeys received last week
from the foundry and his own studio
one of the latest small bronzes that he
has executed grizzly bear standing upon
a projection of rock 1t measures about
ten inches In length, but possesses those
large qualities which make size insignih-
cant. The rock shelves toward the back,
and the great brute stands with all four
feet firmly planted. looking fixedly before
him. There is something statuesque in his
stolid clumsiness; something impressive in
his assumption of superiority and possess
sion. He is apparently unapproachable,
and yet not fearsome. One respects the
great creature and is attracted by him.
In plaster Mr.. Kemeys has recently had
cast jaguar deyouring a peccary, which
must be numbered among his most not
able works, but for years has stood merely
in clay. At present he is working upon
gnu-a curious creature whose freakish
form appeals to the sculptor and Is finding
through him interesting and adequate ex-
preston.
x
The Metropolitan Museum in New York
opened this week its first exhibition of lace.
consisting chiefly of rare and beautiful
specimens given recently by Mrs. Julian
James, of this city. An entire room is de-
voted to the exhibit, and each piece is at
tractively displayed The collection has been
arranged by an expert Nine. Kubasek Of
Vienna (who has made a study of laces
FOR many years. and is declared to be one
of the most interesting, though not most
valuable in the world. 1t has been placed
chronologically: First the Egyptian show
ing the beginnings of the art; then the Ger
man network which came many centuries
later; then the drawn work, derived from
the orient; followed by the cut-work and
the reticella With these come the bobbin
laces, and over the case of seventeenth
century specimens have been placed pho
- ptinpS showing how
the several pieces were worn. one entire
case is given up to Venetian point, with
which is included a cape given some years
ago by the late Mrs. John jacob Astor:
which is valued at 5000 The purpose of
the exhibition is to assist other collectors
in matters of identification as well as to
interest the casual visitor.
Speaking of casual visitors, It is interest
ing to note the number Of children that
find their way into the Metropolitan Mu-
scum on Saturday afternoons. Last Satur-
day being specially bright and clear, there
were perhaps an unusual number, but GER
tafnly the great halls were well filled by
the little citizens. Some We're accompa-
MED by older persons, but many had appar-
entIy come alone, and almost all We're re-
markedly attentive and Interested. There
could be no higher testimony OF the mu-
se1trn's value nor more hopeful sign for the
future of art in America.
Summer visitors to the Metropolitan Mu-
scum will find number of changes In the
general arrangement and some valuable &C
QUESTIONS among the exhibits. Mr.. j. Pier
pont Morgan has loaned large and eXcep-
tionally interesting collection of Chinese
porcelains with which in an adjoining cor
ridor, are now shown the museums collec-
ton of French, German and English makes
The Bishop jades, described in the great
Book of Jade" known popularity as the
most costly book ever published, are to be
seen in a room by themselves. One gallery
has been set aside for the exhibition of
pictures more worthy than some others of
prolonged and serious attention, such as
the Rembrandts, together with other less
notable changes. Through the gift of Mr.
Hearn some valuable American paintings
have been added within the past few
months, and among the recently acquired
sculptures most conspicuous for Its merit Is
the bronze by Mr.. Gutzon Borglum, called
the Mares of Diomedes,
X X
As New York is on the direct line of
northern travel it might be well to call at
tention not only to the museum. but TO the
Lenox Library I'D street and 9Th avenue,
wherein is to be found fair-sized and we'll
filed picture gallery and a series of care
fully arranged exhibits of prints. The lat
ter include at present an excellent collec-
ton of etchings by American artists, and
numbered with the paintings works by
some of the early English artists of note.
X
The American Water Color Society's an
nual exhibition, in which several of the local
artists are represented, Is remarkable for
its many good pictures. Nearly GOO are
numbered in its catalogue, and of these the
majority are worthy of real honor. The fig
ure work is exceptionally meritorious: the
still life and flower painting more than
clever Commercially it has been fairly sue
cessful, and to the credit of the buying pub
lie be it said that some of the best exhibits
are ticketed sold" This is most hopeful
and encouraging.
There is still talk of united fine arts
building-one that will make an American
salon possible and furnish home for all
the New York art organizations. Mr.. Car
negie has offered to give million dollars