Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-23
A RI N O T ES.

Much that is pleasurable is to be found in
an exhibition of Mr.. r. LeGrande Johnston's
work which is now being held in the Nor
rey galleries Thirty-one pictures are
shown, and among these are many of ex-
ceptional merit and charm. Mr. Johnston
is probably best known for his paintings
of sheep, but as an interpreter of land
scapes he may likewise lay claim to dis
tinctiOn. Having a keen sense of the pic
torial he has been enabled to produce
works which were popular, and being alive
to even the commonplace beauties of the
outdoor world he has given them ofttimes
more than superficial significance. He does
not always SUCCEEDING painter ever does
hut he has the power to accomplish much.
and his best is distinctly worthy. Take,
for example, a small canvas entitled "Soli-
tude, which is n bit of pure landscape and
shows a stretch of upland pasture and an
eXpanse Of quiet evening sky 1t is an ex-
remely simple composition, low in tone,
undramatC in feeling. and yet through its
sympathetic and skillful rendering it de-
rived potent appeal II possesses the in
herent higness of nature and it sets forth
VeraCicusly the feeling of the hour While
demanding through its retiCent handling
little for itself. il would well stand COM
parisOn with the best of current production
Early Morning Start for Pasture" and
Lifting of the Clouds are also notable
"blkS. CbfnhlIlnS Win pictorial quality
subtle rendering of atmospheric effects
Both show focks of sheep well arranged
and nicely related to the Landscape setting
hut whereas the one pictures only the roll
ing fields, the other displays city in the
background. In quite different vein is
No. u. The Flock at Rest" a nocturne
somewhat reminiscent, perhaps. of HOratiO
Walkers "Sheepfold." and yet individual
and vigorously handled. Home Again
repeats the same motif, but somewhat
less successfully. Indeed il is not always
the most finished works which manifest
the greatest amount of inertia sketch fire.
Quently has freshness, truth and spon-
taneity which defes transpostion. While
not belonging exactly to this category,
Autumn Sunshine Returning Home
and 'Old Moorish Gateway" will all be
fact do also Winter Sunshine and Near
Winchester. Va" Taken all in all it is an
excellent showing and one well worthy of
attention and commentator.
With Mr.. Johnston's paintings are shown
four canvases by his wife who has studied
art indefatigably for number of years.
but exhibited comparatively little. One is
the head of a Spanish girl one Madonna
and Child and two portraits. The last
are produced with some vigor and spirit
and manifest both progress and promise on
the part of the painter.
Arrangements have been made to con-
tinue the exhibition of Mr.. Lucien Powells
paintings in the Veerhof gallery a few
days longer. II. too. includes some impor-
tant canvases and is we'll worthy of note
Mr.. Powell holds a unique position in the
art world. and while il is the majestic in
nature which makes to him most appeal he
has rendered such subjects the Grand
Canyon" with amazing truth and reserve
force. Though his themes may often be
grandiose. his handling is never unduly
pronounced. and in his pictures il is the
subject and not the artists craft which
claims straightway the Observers atten-
ton. One of his water coors is included
in the Corcoran Gallery's permanent col
lection, and one of his most imposing oil
paintings. THE Canyon of the Yellow
stone" belongs to the National Gallery.
The Capital Camera Club will open its
annual exhibition, with a reception and pri-
Nate view. next Saturday evening in the
hemicycle of the Corcoran Gallery of Art !
Following an established custom a jury of |
artists was invited to pass upon the works |