The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-17
NEGRO ARTISTS
PAINTING TAKES
Z THE FIRST PRIZE

Chicago. Oct. 17.-Henry q. Tanner, a
negro artist, has been awarded the n
w. Harris prize OF 500 for the best paint
ing at the 18th annual exhibition OF
American painting. which Will open at
the Art Institute today. The painting is
entitled Two Disciples at the Tomb.
Henry O. Tanner is native OF fnlla-
delphia, where he was born in 1901. lie II
a son OF Rev. Benjamin Tanner, "A minis
ter OF the African Methodist church. lie
took his first lessons at the Academy OF
Fine Arts in his native city. lie remained
there four years and ranked high among
his fellow students, but ne realized tnat
he was handicapped by his color. IN 1888
he went 10 Paris and began 10 study un-
der Benjamin Constant with the eN.
ception OF several vacations spent AT
home I'm this country he has since beeh d
resident in the French capital
In the early days OF his student NE
Mr. Tanner turned 10 the study or am
mails and went 10 the Jardin Acclifia- IIi-
tIon in order 10 study their habits. hls
skill in the depletion OF the kings OF the
Jungle is evidenced in the arllst great
picture, Daniel in the Lion Den IL ls
weird and impressive scene, iaia ,aS fro,,, IN
above by the ghostly moonlight pshieI ~
clothed I'm a white garment ana iedns
against a stone wall. Inc race - M
shadow while the lower portion OF the
figure is outlined against a square OF
light The lions seem 10 nave rusheu
forward 10 devour their prey. but pause
as II arrested by the prophets alnt-nks
personality. This painting was accepoSu o,'I
hy the salon and received mention non
orable" " ,, ro,
rer's subjects OF prediction are mostly
from the Bible. The Raising or Laza-
rus" received many encomiums from une
press The "Societe des Arts showed
sts appreciation of its merits by pur-
chasing IL and presenting IL TO the gal
lerv OF the Luxembourg. He was besides
awarded a gold medal OF the third class.
The subject II treated with reverence,
pathos and skill. Christ, with diVinely
benignant countenance. calls upon the
dead TO arise. The awe-stricken coun-
senances OF the weeping women, the Won
der OF the attendants. and the rich dark
coloring are brought out with painstakng
fdelity IL is great honor 10 have a
picture in the famous gallery OF the
Luxembourg and gives an artist a fine
standing among his compeers. Thus, Mr..
Tanner climbed the first rung in the lad
der of fame.
THE Death OF Judas is a weird and
uncanny subject and is quantity original
sn its conception. The first impression is
that of a smiling landscape with a sweep
of the gray-green foliage OF olive trees
Suddenly one becomes conscious OF the
hgure OF the traitorous disciple hanging
20 tree in the dim gray wood, while a
couple OF peasants with horrined express
eions gaze upon the ghastly object.
Many OF the studies fortthe faces In
these biblical Pictures Were made in Jeru-
salem. and are those OF typical Jews. The
Yfch raiment and the atmosphere, so diff
ferent from anywhere else, are all the
result OF an intimate acquaintance with
the country and the people of the ORR
ent whose physiognomies remain the
same today as at the time OF Christ.
Neither has America failed TO pay tri-
butte to her gifted son, for some Of his
paintings adorn the walls OF the public
galleries In Philadelphia, Mr.. Tanners
native city. "Nicodemus Coming to
Christ" is in the Wilstadt collection. also
the "The Annunciation." While religious
subjects have usually been the artists In
srriation. he paints landscapes. but this
a. relaxation rather than serious work
He is a sculptor OF no mean pretensions