The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-02-18

however, the work would directly pro-
claim itself, so thoroughly character
istic and unmistakable are its ear
marks It is neither realistic in color
nor rendering and yet it is exception
ally convincing and delightful. Its tone
is rich and resonant; its composition
admirably balanced.
A Canvas by Boucher.
One of the most notable paintings in
this collection is a canvas by Boucher.
It, with three others, formed a series
entitled. THE Elements" which was
painted for Madame du Barry Two
of these, Water and Earth" are
now owned by the city of Paris; one,
Fire" is in the private collection of
Count BOni de Castellaue, while the
fourth, Air" has found its way here.
The painter. Boucher. was d priK de
Rome man. At twenty his pictures
brought good prices. In 1I55 he was
made inspector of the GObelins, and
later, upon Van Loo's death, he be-
came first painter to the king. He was
a great court favorite. something of a
profigate, but a rood engraver, and
accomplished brushman. His art took
on the spirit of the time-it was friv-
olous.. but clever OF recent years it
has rather returned to appreciation.
In Paris not long ago a single canvas
by Boucher brought $4,000; and a
FragOnard at a famous sale last fall
was bid UP TO $4,000. The interest in
the panel in the Clark collection CEN
tiers in its decorative effect. Subject
lively it is curiosity imaginative. Four
hearty young cherubs have camped on
the edge of a hill and are making
merry over a cage of doves. The sky
is partly overcast. and in the distance,
agreeably situated, IS a castle. The
eli
nificance, but its crisp handling and
fresh color atone for lack of thought
1t may not be a great work Of art, but
it is an excellent decoration and a typ
ical example of its period.
An interesting contrast are two paint
ings by Chardin, a contemporary paint
err which have been hung almost i'm
me- ately to the right. One repre-
sents a working woman in a white
dress standing by a barrel, and the
other is a still-life-a table covered
with a white cloth, on which are some
crooks and Vegetables cat on the
floor tapping milk from a saucer; an
old, worn broom, standing neglected in
the corner-all essentially common
place, serious, uncompromising, and
yet artistically interpreted. No Won
der that in such day amid the riot
of mad merriment Chardin passed I'M
noticed and unappreciated- Rarely
will one come across franker realism
more honesty of purpose, or a keener
comprehension of art values. His can
vases suggest VollOn's. but are more
reticent and a little less forceful
Works by the Little Dutchman."
An unusual feature of this collection
and one which should give it weight
is its richness in works by the sO-caIIed
Little Observation-Disclosures in a
measure of Rembrandt, who, while ac-
cOmplishing good work. never attained
to the stature of their master. Con-
sDicuOus among these Is Gerard DOU,
two Of whose paintings find interest
ing inclusion. One is a little portrait of
an old man. marvelOusly we'll rendered,
and the other in a genTe-an old wo-
man and a little lad in a garnet cham
ber-painted with much nicely Of feel
ing. There is a delightful little brown
tonefuI landscape by Cuyp, who has
been called the Dutch Claude and
an exquisite little marine by Willem
Van der Velde. a sailor-painter, whose
talents so recommended him to his ma
ton that the states of Holland placed
a small vessel at his disposal, from
which he might witness the sea fights.
There is also a fine interior by Van
Ostade. the favOTite pupil Of Frans
Halls; q WOuwerman, a Metsu and a
Van Goyen. The Flemish school is
represented by Rubens and Teniers
the German, by a remarkable portrait
attributed to Holbein-
Of the modern works description has
been previously given, but attention
may with propriety be called to the
beautiful Corot which centers the west
wall. II is a most characteristic ex-
ample, and sets forth the painter at
his best Il is fun OF air and subtle
cny
toned, elusive and at the same time
both conservative and strong. There
is also a Daubigny of special note
two, in fact, but one uncommonIy
worthy: several Troyons, a Fromen-
tin a Ziem and a Diaz well above the
average. Breton's la Fin du Travail
is here, and Evening" by Mauve.
Trial of Catherine of Arragon.
The Trial Of Catherine of Arragon
before Henry VIII and Lord Wolsey,"
which Senator Clark purchased some
years ago directly from Edwin A Alb
hey, the painter, still occupies a com
handing position on the north wall
and dominates by its brilliancy Of color
its environment.
What America needs today are ex-
amples of the worlds masterpiece
not that her students may initiate. but
rather learn from them. We have ex-
cellent art schools. abundant ability
fresh themes and the courage of our
convictions, but we have not a knovvl-
edge of the best. Our government
makes no effort to foster the art of
our people. We have no national gal
lery Of art, no national school. and
little national patronage For these
benefits and stimulus we are obliged TO
look, therefore, TO our private colIec-
tons, and 10 their credit be it said