Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-01
A RI NO ES.

An exceptionally interesting collection OF
portraits painted by Mr.. John da Costa
asis now on exhibition in the v G. Fischer
gallery Ten or twelve canvases are
shown. and of these the majority set forth
portraits of children. One is of witch
ing little Harlequin. another represents
small lass in colonial costume with pow
dered hair. seated on a low stool before
dark curtain. third pictures a little girl
in a severely plain empire gown of ivory
colored satin. fourth the daughter of
we.l-known financier in a simple white
party dress and fifth child of humber
station clad in som5er black. Each is treat
ed in a different manner. burt all display
mastery of technique and forceful handling.
1t is said that Sargent greatly admres Mr..
I'D Costas work and undoubtedly the feel
ing is recip-ocated for his influence is
evident in all these canvases And yet
Mr.. da Costa painting is by means
weak imitation of Mr.. Sargent's. for
While the manner is similar the style Is
distinctive. The brush strokes free
and significant-they have a becoming
hauteur and imperiousness-a self-assur-
ance and ease which is suggestive of the
craft of Sargent, but which could not have
been caught trick through study or
association. Such work. or the instinct for
such work. must be intuitive. And though
We are told that the old masters used
art TO conceal their art there is something
very attractive in the technique which de-
clares itself. The freshness and spon-
taneity of these paintings make direct
appeal. and when seen. several have
been, in large exhibitions of contempoi-
AIRY work they give d welcome note of in
dividuality. They are strong. col0rful and
vital. and. though far from faultess. more
than clever accomplishments. Mr.. da
Costa has painted many persons OF wealth
and distinction. but he has not become
merely painter Of fabrics and fashion.
His portrait of Corneiia. the little daugh-
ter of Mr.. George Vanderbilt. is exception
ally artistic. and his group portrait of the
daughters of Sir James Lyle Mackay is
also especially noteworthy In the picture
of the girl in black. in the present exhibit
ton. extreme simplicity of handling is
shown and good relation OF tones while in
the likeness of the child in the ivory satin
gown nice feeling. as well as skillful
brush work. is displayed The exhibition
will continue until the 18th of February.
The only American sculptor who has en-
tered the competition for a national monu-
ment to be erected in Buenos Aires by
the Argentine Republic is Mr.. Il. S. ].
Dunbar of this city. The appropriation
made for this monument is the equivalent
of SaD.0G0. and fifteen prizes are to be
distributed among the competitors. To
the five who submit the most meritorious
designs $4,000 will be given in equal
shares. and they will be invited to en-
large their models and form second
competition. Mr.. Dunbar's design is elab-
crate, dignified and somewhat unusual.
1t shows a group of three Corinthan col
umnS raised on a series of platforms and
surmounted by a figure typifying the re-
public In one hand she holds branches
of olive and laurel, the emblems of peace
and victory, and in the other a shield
bearing the nations coat-of-arms. At the
base of the columns the foundation
upon which the republic is built are three
figures representing the three branches
of the government-the executive. 1egis
lative and judicial-and on pedestals a
step below are equestrian statues of three
great generals, with again on a lower
platform figures of private soldiers rep
resenting the standing army. The monu-
ment when completed is supposed to be
seyenty-five feet in height and sixty feet
at its base. The model. which was in
plaster and is in all probability being set
up at this time. is little over seven feet
in height and accurately in scale. In re-
filming and developing the architectural
features Mr.. Dunbar was assisted by Mr.
Paul j. Pelz. but the design and the mod
cling are exclusively his own. Mr.. Dun
bar is at work at present upon drinking
fountain for the United States Capitol,
the purpose of which is to supply the pub
lie with ice water There is one design.
but ii is TO be cast four times and placed
in as many inches. which are already in
the walls. A playful triton is represented
with a dolphin in his arms, which he has
supposedly just caught and is teasing.
The background will represent the sea.
and a wave will be seen breaking around
the triton. The dolphin's horn will be
used as the key to the faucet and the
water will flow through a tube concealed
in his mouth. A decorative border of sea-
horses and shells will line the wall mar
gin, and other emblems of the sea will
be worked into the design. Mr.. Dunbar
has also quite a little portrait work on
hand having received lately commissions
for busts of the Vice President and Sena-
tor Gallinger. and being now at work upon
one of a little lad, the son of Mr.. c. H.
Ciaudy. But IN spite of all this Mr.. Dun
bar has found the time since winter came
and his garden ceased to demand his at
tention to build. with the assistance of
friend, large seagoing launch-one
about the size and somewhat the shape
of an old-fashioaed whaleboat-which
when completed is to have commodious
cabin and be fully equipped for cruising.
This at present occupies large section
in the great studio which Mr.. Dunbar
built for himself in the rear of his resi-
dencc. but. far from being in the way.
seems to lend an impetus to sculptural
work.