The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-01-21
THE MINIATURE WORK ;.
OF PAUL Mcneil.
Gems of Art Painted on Old
Ivory
HIS DELICATE 9 STYLE
Some Of Blrmingham's Most Beautiful
5 DELICATE . STYLE
some Of 6lrn1ingham's Most Beautiful
Women Have Had Their Miniatures
Painted BY MIR. Menzel-A
Talk With the Artist.
By ANNIE KENDRIck WALKER.

The miniature work of Mr., Paul Men
eel, examples of which were seen at a
private exhibition the past week. Is at
tracing a great deal of attention, al
though the artist has kept himself rather
in the background and has made little
effort to identify himself with any of the
art lotteries in this city. But it is quite
impossible for the work of this sincere
and Conscientious artist to pass unno-
ticed and even more impossible for the
artist himself to remain longer in the
comparative seclusion that has been nee
essary by his Ill health Since coming
to Birmingham about a year and a half
ago Mr., Menzel has painted the minia-
lures of some of Birmingham's most
beautiful women These miniatures are
pronounced gems of art and the recent
exhibition, while private one, gave an
opportunity for a number of people es
pecially interested in art to see these
rarely beautiful paintings on ivory. and
also on porcelain, some very rare poree-
lains being In Mr.. Menzel's collection.
For delicate workmanship, for exquis
lite softness. and for the rare touch of
the true miniaturlst, Mr. Menzels work
will stand the test. Painters in the same
class with Mr.. Mcneil have pronounced
his portraits to be fine examples of the
old German school. Mrs Caroline c.
Lowell. whose own miniature work makes
her criticism of value, considers Mr..
Menzels miniatures exquisite. Other art
lists In this city are most appreciative of
his work, while the large number of or
ders from prominent society women in
dioates how well his work has been re-
ceived. Among the women who have
been painted by Mr. Mcneil are Mrs
Henry Bramlette Gray, Mrs. Robert
Jemison, Mrs. Allan Harvey Woodward,
Miss Bessie Jemison, Mrs. William Mudd
Walker, Mrs. John L. Kaul, Mrs. W. 2.
G. Harding and Miss Carrie Cobbs while
a number of men have sat for Mr., Men
eel. both for miniatures and for oil por-
traits. Many of these miniatures have
been superbly set in gold and some of
them are set In diamonds and pearls.
Some of Mr.. Menzels porcelains are
marvellous for their delicacy. His figure
work reveals his remarkable power of
DETAIL his ability for painting In the
little" a fine example of which is seen
in his Spring a group Of nude little
figures about a beautiful woman, copy
OF one of the masterpieces, and also in
a porcelain called "Wooing." The oil
several notable canvases.
Mr.. Mcneil has always been a NINA
turist Born in Germany, he studied in
Berlin and was formerly with the Royal
Art institute. He came to America a
few years ago and became known in New
York as one of the most promising min
iaturists. His work was exhibited there
and he received much praise. On ac-
count of i'll health and also because the
physicians recommended the southern
climate for his wife, whose health is ex-
tremely delicate, Mr.. Mcneil decided to
spend some months In the south. and
particularly dn the country. He has
house near Cullman, a little house, he
describes 1t, little house among the
pines. He does most of his work there,
although he makes frequent visits to
Birmingham.
Mr. Mcneil was asked how the southern
women lent themselves to miniature, If
as a type they were not wholly different
TO the beauties of France or of Germany,
or even of any other section of America.
Mr. Mcneil frankly says that in no
other part of this country can be found
the ideal type as seen in the women Of
the south. Such delicacy of feature, such
perfect contour, such coloring are rarely
found among the women In any country.
THE lines in their faces" said Mr.
Menzel, are those of the aristocrat. Such
features have back of them years of aris-
tocracy which always shows itself In deli
cate outlines.
The south is the home OF the aristocrat
In no other part OF America. l am told,
will you find such evidences of birth
as in the southern country. have found
1t true. l think the southern woman
the most beautiful type to paint In the
whole world. Her grace is inherent. Her
style Is so we'll suited for the delicate
detail work of the miniature. Her face
In miniature is perfect and her coloring
harmonizes with the mellow background
of the ivory. Women are difficult to
paint. Some of them want to be idealized.
Some times they do not want their por-
traits to look like them. but the true
artist should not idealize The southern
woman does not need to be idealized."
Mr. Mcneil is very interesting per-