Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-05
A R T N O T E S.

No one could fail to find interest in the
collection of paintings by Mr.. ]. H. Sharp
which is now on view in the assembly hall
OF the Cosmos Club. 1t consists Of por-
traits of famous Indians, and pictures. not
only of their home life and surroundings,
but OF the country in which they live. Mr..
Sharp claims Cincinnati Ohio, as his place
of residence, burt his real home is a COM
modius log cabin within the boundaries of
the Crow reservation, Montana. There he
spends the greater part of each year, and
hibjtion have been painted. 1t is almost
needless to say that Mr.. Sharp is keenly in
sympathy with his subjects, that the wan
fishing race interests him deeply, and the
vastness of the western plains makes to
him strong appeal, but 1t may be we'll to
explain that while he is truthful painter
ne Is at the same time artistic inter-
prefer. Ethnologically his portraits are of
interest and significance, but as works of
art they are of no less Importance. While
carefully finished they are broadly ham
died, excellent in color, and simple in treat
ment. Indeed in more than one instance
there is something delightful in the adroit-
ness of the brushwork and something I'M
commonly pleasing in the manner of pres
entation group of four small portraits
on the north wall is especially notable for
the artistic and painterlike qualities it dis
plays, and among the other likenesses those
OF the little Blackfeet girl, "MaryTail-
Fedtner, OF the young Crow chief Strikes
His Enemy Pretty" of Medicine Shield
an old Crow squaw, and of "Chiz- Chile
Navajo boy, are remarkable for direct
handling and pictorial effect. Interesting
also, though more conventional, are Mr.
Sharps group pctures-'The Gamblers. -
the Dead Spirit" and, most pleasing of all
"A Gift for Her Brave" pictures which set
forth the home life of the Indians with
realism and yet a touch of romance. But
of all the canvases those of the most
during worth are without doubt the land
scapes-the views of the Montana country,
painted from the artists studio windows.
1t is not every one who can paint Indians
as well as Mr.. Sharp, but there are indeed
very few who can so sympathetically inter
pref nature. The worth of the Indian pic
lures lies In their positive qualities, in their
strong color and vigorous brushwork; the
charm of the landscape will be found In
their subtlety-their harmonious tones and
power of suggestion. Clusters Battlefield
shows rolling waste, covered with yellow
dry grass, beneath gray, cold sky. A half
marked wagon trail is the only factor in its
composition, and the scene might scarcely
have been accounted worthy of recording
But the atmosphere and the light trans
formed 1t. To the observant eye of the ar
fist under these conditions it was found to
have both beauty and significance. and to
these evaneScent qualities he has given per
manent and Ineligible form. Light Fall
ing Snow and Gray Day--The Visit are
late winter scenes and equally attractive
while 1.-THE Ford. Little Big Horn" and
Montana Trout Brook in Winter chroni-
Gle in an admirable way the spring-time re
lease of imprisoned streams. There Is some
thing suggestive in these paintings Of the
works of Thaulow, of Twatchman of Muir
ply and others. but It is knship OF spirit
rather than a repetition of style. Mr.. Sharp