The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26
Theodore Wores Shows Many Notable
CanvaseS IN Studio Exhibition
BY Lucy B. Jerome

San Francisco should be one of the
great art centers of the world. The
beauty Of its climate, its natural en-
yironment, the joy and charm Of its
life should produce a race of artists
who. like Antaeus, drew their nourish-
ment and strength from the soil. The
largeness of the California atmosphere
should make for largeness Of vision In
the painter and sculptor. The chang
ing glory Of sea and sky has trans
figuring qualities which energize and
fecundate both hand and brain. The
glowing, vivid cosniopolitanism of its
people thrills with perpetual sugges-
tions for marvellous compositions. The
west IS the peculiar domain of the
western artist.
The noteworthy exhibition of the
week was the one given by Theodore
Wores in his studio in California
street. There are 80 canvases. which
include views Of life scenes in Japan,
the ancient gardens Of Granada and
Seville, glimpses of nature life in the
Hawaiian islands and a number OF
recently completed views of Tamalpais
which were painted from Greenbrae.
The principal canvas is a large one,
showing Tamalpais in its coloring of
purple haze, with the marsh in the
foreground and a country road wind
ing past the low, tree topped rock
mounds, so typical of Marin county.
This picture is In the rich, low tones
in which Wores delights. the effect in
this particular canvas being that of a
cloud passing lightly over the noun
tain, just family subduing its royal
hues. Another view of the mountain
is painted from the trestle which
crosses the marsh. An original con-
ception is the Shadow on the Marsh"
where the singular yellow color of the
marsh at low tide is depicted, under
rising shadows. OF the Spanish pic
lures there are four, the most striking
perhaps being that Of an ancient Ro-
man aqueduct showing sunlit arch
through which is seen advancing the
figure OF a Spanish maid. THE Gar
den of the Moors'' is a bit of vivid col
oring where one can smell the rich
fragrance of the flowers. and Tower
OF the Alhambra" is a strong piece of
work. The exhibition will remain open
to visitors till May g
Much interest has been shown in the
artists exhibition at the Studio build
ing, which is undoubtedly one of the
best ever witnessed In San Francisco.
A morning visit is gratifying. as the
mellow light streams in through the
windows, casting peculiar soft radi-
=
lending them an indescribable charm.
Monday, when an admission fee was
asked for the benefit of the Children's
hospital, the result was a goodly addi-
ton to the sick babies fund.
Francis McComas is receiving high
encomiums from the English critics on
his recent exhibition held at the Carfax
gallery, Bury street, London. An ar
ticle in the London Times says:
Although Mr. McComas work is
quite unknown IN England, he has a
very remarkable talent. He reminds
one Of Cotman- and of Cotman in his
finest works. There is almost the same
command of majestic form, the same
searching yet quiet drawing, the same
rich but simple composition. While Mr..
McComas simplifies everything, he
never sinplifies to evade difficulties,
and however little he represents of a
tree. he always gives it its essential
character. His 'Athenian Temples, with
the Parthenon standing strong, yet
delicate. against the sky, and grove
OF giant olives in the foreground, is
classical in sentiment and design. He
is no less classical when he paints
California than when he paints Athens.
Mr.. McComas paints trees as other ar