Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-10

it is merely on account of it's perfection.
Every suggestion of medium is lost every
trace of labor oblterated, and yet with
what consummate skill is it done! Every
detail is truthfully interpreted; every value
properly related.
The woman stands respectfully at an arch
ed easement, one hand holding fan. the
other laid against the frame. Behind her
is a brownish wall, around her air In album
dance. The light is focused on the face,
the outlines of the figure are lost against
the background. The transparency of the
shadows too, should be noted. and the
gentle merging of light and shade. 1t is
work most mastery In its supreme simple
ity. 1t does not discourage effort, but
rather inspires by its own success and by
it's apparent ease of expression. Such
paintings are not only a delight to the wise,
but liberal education to the studious
They do not need to be explained-they
manifest themselves.
Work of Sir Joshua Reynolds.
On the east wall. In a position of promi-
nerce, is TO be found a portrait of Mrs
Prado," painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
II is a three-quarter length, and shows the
lady out of doors. gracefully resting against
a wooden pedestal. In color it is peculiarly
charming; in brush work most accomplish
ed. The gown is white material daintiiy
Powered: the outer garment brown PINK
edged with ermine. Trees and Dit or duil
blue sky form the background and help 10
enhance the harmonious effect. Here, too,
definite personality has been rendered, but
i'll this case ii has been subordinated to the
me tive of decoration. 1t Is not Mrs. Prado
who appeals to the observer, but the paint
er's artistic arrangement of color and Skill
full welding of lines. Regardless of subject,
It charms the eye and gratifies the senses;
but for this reason 1t Is none the less
worthy.
A little incident in connection with this
painting Is we'll worth relating. Mrs. Prado,
so the story goes. was South American,
the wife of a wealthy London merchant.
Horace Walpole was her friend and neigh
Dor and il was he who persuaded her to
have her portrait painted by Sir joshua.
One day when II was almost hnisned ne
stoned In at the artists studio to see 1t.
'-'rhaf IS an excellent likeness of Mrs.
Prado," he said, pointing to the canvas on
".Prador' exclaimed the painter; that is
Miss Prideaux.
ION. no." responded Walpole, that is
Mrs Prado. ! sent her to you.
81 am sorry to disagree with you, SAID
Sir Joshua, but / know 1t Is Prideaux, TOT
I have If so written down in my journal"
And by both names 1t has been called to
this day.
Another Delightful Picture.
There is another delightful picture by
REYNOLDS In this collections portrait of
pretty Kitty Fisher, one of his favorite
models Ii is quite different in tone from
the former; richer, perh APPS, and apparently
suffused by golden light There is a
certain reticence in the rendering which is
very attractive; breadth in the handling
which bespeaks command of medium. 1t
is sincerely pictorial and yet it portrays q
rather elusive personality. The Kitty
Fisher It sets forth was at least thoughtiui
and not too conscious of her beauty.
Sir Joshua Reynolds was one or the most
successful portrait painters In history and
a prolific producer. He was intolerant OF
| conlpetition and held himself in question
| ablv high esteem. Possibly this was the
| result OF an unappreciated youth. He was
| the son of a prosaic Plympton scnooi mas
+, ter who far from encouraging MS STUDIES,
| wrote across one of his earliest efforts,
| This Is drawn by Joshua In school, out OF
pure idleness
Next TO the Kitty Fisher hangs a likeness
of the young Marchtoness OF townsend,
painted by Reynolds rival, George Romney;
| a picture which In charm would be hard to
excel 1t has been on exhibition at the
| gallery with the first installment of Senator
| ClarK's pictures, but SO distinguished is
| nothing to fear. Beyond. is an attractive
| head by Hoppner, another colleague; broad
| ly painted good in color, and rot unlovely
1 in expression-a canvas which was given
prominence in the great Portrait Show
| held In New York winter before last
Between these viii be seen landscape
| by Gainsborough. painted in 17S7s and re-
| nlarkable not only for it's merit, but on ac-
count OF being both signed and dated
| without this Identification. however, the
| work would directly proclaim itself, so thor
oughly characteristic and unmistakable are
| its earmarks. II is neither realistic In color
| nor rendering and yet II is exceptionally
| 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 1t, with
| three others, formed 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 coliec-
ton Of Count Boni de Casteliane, while the