Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-06
A R T N O T ES.

That American art Is winning apprecia-
tor not only in this country but abroad Is
being continually evfnced. The eyes of the
old world are now, in fact. turned toward
our new country. prompted by the belief
that herein Is to be found the promise of
tomorrow. For decade or more our ar
lists went abroad to learn; now they are
called upon to teach. Recognition has not,
however. come suddenly or been cheaply
won. The conviction that America has pro-
duced a school of her own more virile ana
promising than her contemporaries is but
just taking shape. Very gradually our
painters, scuiptors and architects have
been moving to the front. Their works
which have from time to time been given
place in the current exhibitions are now
finding inclusion in the public galleries. Not
only are they to be seen in the salons, but
in the Luxembourg. Iliege has recently
purchased three paintings by American ar
lists for it's permanent collection and Ven
ice last summer procured one or more
Steadily they have been attracting wider
attention and have commanded larger place
in the opinion of foreign critics. The Eng
fish section of the International Studio for
January includes an appreciative and wen
illustrated article on the paintings OF MISS
Elizabeth Nourse, an American, who,
though not a Washingtonian is we'll known
in this city and whose work has materiailS
helped to bring about this altered situation.
About twelve years ago when MISS NOurSe
was still not far from her student days MI
V. G. Fischer recognized her ability ana
held in his gallery on 18th street an exhlbl-
ton of her work. Some will doubteess re-
call the occasion with interest. They were
homely pictures of peasant women anu
children, rudely painted but well construct
ed, strong, vigorous and sincere, and, what
Is more, deeply imbued with that true SEN
timent which makes all mankind AKIN.
Since then Miss Nourse has won many nom
ors, her brush-work has become more mn
ished, her color less raw, but the essential
character of her work has remained unai-
tered. She still paints children and peasant
life, but her greater technical 1aciiity per
mits her to interpret more truly the thousht
and feeling that she would portray Win
in the last few years she has moreover
taken UP new branch of work and has re-
produced in the form of tapestries primitive
paintings by the early masters. four VI
these are permanently on exhibition III the
Fischer gallery, one of peculiar charm has
recently arrived, and several are to De seen
in local residences They are more truly
interpretations than copies, for they fendef
the spirit rather than the form of the orig
inal They transcrbe, however, that when
is permanent in the painting, the sentmeht
which gives it through all ages universal
appeal. Reducing the prominence or the
pictorial they simply give emphasis TO Inc
decorative and through the eyes OF one VINO
understands have been clothed in new gulse.
Aside from their painter they are of gen
sonality cannot but add to their charm
X X
The same number of the international
Studio scores the success of a local painter
by reproducing in color an admirable little
painting by Mary Sigsbee Ker, who was
formerly a student of the local Art League
and a pupil of Mr. Messer. 1t IS called
In Disgrace and pictures little girl
seated in a STRAIGHTFORWARD chair with her
face toward the wall while her fellow Gull
prit, little mongrel puppy, sulks dejeotedly
on the rug nearby. The subject Is good,
but artistically it's chief merit lies in its
simple treatment in the excellent arrange
ment of lines and apportionment of spaces.
It is not pretentious, but 1t is clever and
genuinely enjoyable. Mrs. Ker and her
husband, who is also a Washingtonian and
a former member of the Art League, have
now a studio in New York and are indi-
vidually winning recognition in the great
metropolis. Mr.. Ker has lately made sew
eral illustrations for Life which have not
only attracted attention but received from
felIow-artists favorable comment.