The Washington times., 1906-09-30

Lane Johnston have been received by
the Smithsonian Institution and ar
ranged In two rooms In the eastern
end. IL Is a modest Inauguration of a
national gallery OF art, or rather a
modest advance in the l:ne Of develop
ment OF this institution, which has boen
recognized Officially as & depository OF
fine art objects since 1915 and more re-
Gently recognized by the judicial deci-
sion of Justice Stafford as the proper
custodian OF this collection.
While the collection ie c small one Il
Is Of great value, and contains works
OF artists Of prominence, and the city
Is 70 be congratulated that the sub
tect OF a national gallery is tbus re-
ceiving encouragement The number OF
paintings is lost sight OF in the value
OF the works comprised in this collec-
tion.
Historical Paintings.
Among the paintings Of purely histori-
cal interest may be mentioned the por-
trait of President Buchanan by Eich-
holts, and the portrait OF Edward VII
as the Prince OF Wales, painted By Sir
Walter Gordon. at about the time Of
the visit Of the prince 70 this country.
IN this portrait we find the youthful re
semblance noted in the many photo
graphs made while IN this country IN
1860, although the red uniform shown
in the painting gives US a different
conception OF the prince from that
formed by a consideration OF the plain
attire worn az the time OF his visit
In this class of paintings OF historical
interest, should be mentioned the Prince
OF Wales and Party al Mt. Vernon
large painting by ". F. Rossiter. an
American artist OF high national repu-
tution This work contains many fig
ures which have boen carefully painted
with ar evident desire 10 make them
historically correct as to costume. and
a well as portraits Of the distinguished
persons included In the party accom-
pauying the royal visitor 10 the tomb
OF Washington.
There IS but one example Of The land
scape class but that one. The Valley
Farm, by John Constable. is of such
Acknowledged merit that It well de-
serves the prominent place which has
teen given 20 H. on an easel in the cen
ter Of the room. A place Of Ike promi-
nence has been given 20 a Madonna and
Child" by Correggio. This canvas
while small IN size is a worthy example
OF the skill Of this master. and thor
ouEhly pleasing IN the arrangement Of
the figures, and in the delicate treat
ment Of the subjects. A second paint
ing In the lisr of sacred pictures, IS "A
large canvas. Madonna and Child" by
IalinI. a picture showing strongly the
characteristics Of the school OF the
period to which the artist belonged
Hoppner's "Mrs. Abingdon"
The fame OF John Hoppner as a paint
er of women Of rank and fashion is
well sustained by the single example OF
his work entitled Portrait OF Mrs.
Abingdon" a work OF great refinement
and sentiment. The school OF British
painters is also strengthened by a por-
trait-"AIiss Kirkpatrick" by George
Romney. successful competitor with
REYNOLDS and Gaiusborough for the
patronage OF the titled and wealthy ol
London.
Lady Essex as Juliet" by Sir Thomas
Lawrence. is a notable portrait OF this
collection. IN which the balcony scene
is given The model IS most attractive
and this famous painter, who succeeded
BENJAMIN West as the president of the
Royal Academy, is strongly represented
in this admirable work
Sir William BceChcy. a portrait paint
q nf the English school, whose Work IS
said 10 be strongly reminiscent 81 the
W or< Of Hogarth, is represented by one
canvas, Portrait Miss Murray,
work OF art well IN mar
mony with the other portraits with
which It is found.
Example Of Early Dutch School.
Work Of tn. earl- Dutch school of
painters Is continued 20 the Portrait Of
Madam Tulip" by Cornelius van ecu
len Jansen, a contemporary Of Van
pvck. and a painter with Van DycS for
several years at the court of Charles J.
This portrait is interesting not only for
the beauty Of the work. but as a val
uahle illustration Of the school repre-
scented.
In the genre class there are but two
examples, and the canvases are both
quite small. INDEPENDENCE hy May
er. IS u picture of popular interest and .
the figure of the indClent farmer calm
lv smoking his pipe, and gazing in con- /
tentment upon the placid rural scene
before him. is q happy conception illus
tTativa Of the character of the man who
Is content with us condition, and thor /
oughly Independent Of the affairs of the /
world with which lac seems but little /
An Oriental street scene tI /
the subject of q picture by Edwin J d. I
Weeks. While the surrounding are /
Oriental, the technique is Enthusiastically |
that of the French school interpreted in /
an independent American manner. Both /
Of the painters referred to are reTTe-
sented in the collection Of the Corcoran /
Gallery Of Art.
The three examples Of sculpture are /
"Cupid' and q portrait bust in marble /
Of Mr. Johnston, by Reinhart. ard q 4
portrait bust Of President Buchanan by /
Dexter. The last two are Of historical /
and lend a variety to the |
either art objects of this collection.
A Photograph of Queen Victoria with /
aer autograph, the framed copy OF the
hrst tclegram sent over the atlantic