Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-27
A R T N @ T E s

lnere is mucn OF local interest III 'hS
Pennsylvania Academy's one hundred and
first annual exhibition, which opened with
a reception and private view last Saturday
evening in Philadelphia. Not only are
number of our local artists represented, but
an important section of the exhibition Is
largely made up of canvases drawn" from
the much discussed Freer collection, which
it is now understood will some day find
permanent home in this city The front
corner gallery, designated by the letter -
has been set aside this year for a special
exhibit composed of the works of four
mend. w. Tryon, T. w. Dewing, James
Mcneil Whistler and Abbott H. Thayer-
whose aims were sympathetic and whose
efforts were virtually toward the same end.
The walls have been covered with a gray
fabric, the floor with mating showing a
conventional figure of dull blue; the ap-
potntments are all severely simple, but in
perfect harmony. Sixteen canvases only
are shown, and of these eleven have been
loaned by Mr.. Freer. Three Ministers.
The famous Little Blue and Gold Girl
and two nocturnes in Blue and Silver"
Battersea Reach and "Bognor," 10th too
well known to need description. Abbott
Thayer, whose "Caritas' is familiar to all,
is represented by single head and Two
elaborate and colorful landscapes; Dewing
by five small figure studies and Tryon by
an equal number of poetic landscapes
None of these men painted simply what
they saw nor what they felt, but with the
keenest artistic perception Interpreted those
things which make a purely aesthetic ap-
peal They are set aside from their fellow
workers by their own individuality rather
than by surprising skill or the option of
hanging committee" Their art is pecu-
liar, but 1t is sincere, Ineligible and up
lftlng, and its appeal, moreover, Is not
alone to the chosen few.
In The north corridor, admira bIy placed,
is a painting entitled "Afterg.ow, and
Canyon, Arizona" by Mr.. Lucien Powell of
this city; in gallery "a is a canvas, "OId
Houses in Montreuil-sur-M er,'' by Everett
L. Warner, and in gallery "B" a genre,
The Poor Neighbor" by Miss Ruth Nc
Gowan, formerly pupil of Mr.. Helmicks,
is to be seen. Mr.. George Gibbs shows
marine Surf of some strength and merit,
and Mr.. H. Lyman Sayen, who it will be
remembered painted last summer four lu-
nettes for the House committee room on in
suar affairs at the Capitol, is admirably
represented by a carefully executed design
for a sculptured reredoS.
Owing to the change of directors special
inquiries are being made concerning the
merits of this exhibition, which for many
years now has been considered the leading
event of the winter. The consensus of op1n-
ion seems to be that it is we'll up to the
standard. There are more exhibits than
commonly, more poor pictures but also
more good ones, so that the average re-
mains about the same There are some
pleasing innovations, some new features
traits, taken collectively this year, are of
unusual interest and indicate fresh prog
resS along these lines, the genres are less
stereotyped and the landscapes more Virle
There is wide range displayed in both sub
Jects and treatment. Sargent has the place
OF honor in the main gallery his portrait
of Mrs. Robert NJ. Matthias centering the
end wall. William NJ Chase contributes
not only mastery paintings of still life,
but group of admirable portraits, among
which likeness of the Rev. DR.. Sparhawk
Jones is most notable. Adolph. ROrie of
Philadelphia comes into the front rank
with a portrait of John w. Pepper esq
more than ceverly painted and William T.
Smedleys likeness of his little son is both
sktllful and charming. A group of canvases
by Horatio Walker, showing the painters
development, and six representative paint
ings by the late John II. Twachtman, have
been made interesting and notable features.
There are in all over a thousand exhibits,
1t is impossible to more than suggest the
general character and salient features of
the exhibit. 1t will be open until March g.
daily, from to 3, and it will be found by
those who are interested in the progress of
American art too significant to be passed
by nonchalently,
X X
That the trustees of the Corcoran Gallery
of Art, at their recent board meeting, de-
termined to follow the example of other art
museums and institute under their own
auspices an annual exhibition of American
paintings was welcome news. There is
almost no gallery in the country which has
better facilities for placing such a show
than the Corcoran, and there is every rea-
son why 1t should come in line with these
similar organizations of foremost standing.
In no one way would such exhibit dis
parage or interfere with the current eX-
hibitions of our local art societies. The
project is still somewhat in embryo the
resolutions which were passed being chiefly
tentative and for the purpose of record.
That the exhibition will be held next win
ter is, however, established. and that 1t will
be made to measure up to the standard of
the best there is little doubt. II is probable
that two or three Large prizes will be Of
feIed, that juries of admission will be APP
pointed for the several large cities. and that
the jurors will be men of unquestioned
standing Local artists will, 1t is under
stood, have representation, but the affair
as whole is 10 take on a national char
acter The Corcoran Gallery has since its
inception consistently championed American
art. so instead of an innovation the present
project is in direct pursuance of its estab-
lished policy. 1t is also a step, however,
toward the development of Washington as
national art center.
AT the same meeting the board of trustees
OF the Corcoran Gallery passed resolutions
declaring themselves in warm sympathy
with the movement set on foot by the
American Free Art League to secure the
removal of the duty on works of art" de-
claring that, in the opinion of the board,
this duty had been a handicap to the prog
ress of art in America" and expressing
the hope that this duty will be abolished"
The sentiment thus voiced is. it woud seem,
that OF the thinking people In all parts of
the country. " lille public Institutions can
"a present bring in works of art free, they
derive most of their exhibits through pri-
waite ownership rather than direct importa-
ton. One-third of the paintings in the Cor
coran Gallery last fall had been loaned,
and had at some time paid a duty. The
artists do not want the projections; inferior
educational value are. Art collectors do
not as q rule. hoard their treasures I'm
vaults hut are almost without excenf;ou