Evening star., 1909-05-03
CARNEGIE ART EXHIBIT
Only International Display Of
Paintings in America.
PRIZE TAKERS SHOWN HERE
Notable Collection at Institute
Building in Pittsburg.
THREE HUNDRED PICTURES
"Girl Crocheting," From Brush Of e.
c. Tarbell. Is Premier-East
and Ranger Showing.
c Of Tho Star


PITTSBCRG, Pa. April 80. 1909.
a more interesting exhibition of modern
paintings has not been set forth in this
country for many years than that which
opened with private view and reception
in the Carnegie Institute Of this city last
evening.
The international exhibitions held an
nually at this season by the Carnegie In
stitute, under the auspices Of its hne arts
department. are invariably notable events
but ii is felt that higher standard has
been attained this year than commonly.
This is the only International exhibi-
tion held in America-the only opportu-
nifty afforded American painters to meas
ure their strength against that of the
foremost of other nations. and for the
American public to become acquainted
with what other painters in other parts
of the world are doing.
There are about 900 pictures in the
present exhibition, and for the most part
they are exceedingly well chosen and dis
played. No special classification has been
followed in arrangement but care has
been taken to prevent crowding, and each
picture has been given ample space.
In fact. in the main galleries they have
been hung in single line. This in itself
is delight. for surely If painting is
we'll.
1t has been said, with much truth. that
the art Of nation only becomes an In
ternational power when 1t ceases to be
International. And so. indeed. the works
| in This exhibition would seem to prove.
| for, passing from picture to picture, one
does not have to refer TO the catalogue to
discover whence II has come.
! OF course, there are some pictures about
which one might entertain q reasonable
doubt. But they are neither the strongest
nor the best.
The German arc distinctively German:
the Spanish unmistakably Spanish: the
English thoroughly English II is be-
, tween the French and the American that
the least distinction exists. because for so
many years American students have sat
at the feet of French masters and ac-
cepted French ideals.
To be sure. all great art Is built on the
same fundamental principles. But so
long 1t reflects life il must differ in
expression more or less as the mirror is
turned this way and that. It Is on this
account that the present exhibition Is
found to possess peculiar interest es-
pecially. as the foreign representation is
particularly good.
New and Old Shown.
To one who has seen the majority OF a
seasons exhibitions the thrill of excite
ment is apt to be lost through untovard
familiarity, and though II is true that
all the pictures here are not new pictures.
yet a sufficient number are, to lend the
charm of novelty. And. as with certain
old acauaintances. there are pictures
which one must be glad to meet again
and again.
Such. for example, are THE Family
Group" by George de Forest Brush, the
portrait by William NJ. Chase of his wife.
the landscape, Approach Of Spring by
w Elmer Schofeid, and the figure dedi-
Cd IN hy h
bott II. Thayer. which, IL will be remem-
bered, were included In the Corcoran Gal
| lery's recent exhibition, and are now to
be seen here.
That both the first and second prizes
have been given to paintings previously
shown at the Corcoran Gallery will un-
uuestionably be of interest to Washing
tonians. The medal of the first class, car
awarded to Edmund c. Tarbell for his
more than delightful painting entitled
Girl Crocheting," and the medal of the
third class. carrying with 1t a prize OF
for his landscape, November Hiils.'
hung in the Corcoran Gallery's exhibition.
to the right Of the staircase. in the
atrium.
! ing with it prize of $1,000. was award
ed to George Sauter of London for
painting Of three figures, one nude, en-
titled The Bridal Morning This award
is little difficult to understand. as there
| seem to be 50 many canvases, including
one by Mr.. Sauter himself. 80 much more
conspicuous for merit. But so long az
prize-giving continues mystery will at
tach itself to certain awards.
Groups of paintings by Alfred East,
president of the Royal Society of British
Artists. and by Henry w. Ranger of New
York have been made special features of
this exhibition, as was a group OF Wins
low Homer's work last year. Both are
Lar nainforS fOremnRt
One entire gallery-that which serves
as vestibule to the main exhibit-was
given over to Mr. East's works, and the
collection, consisting of twenty-five can
vases, makes an excellent showing In
deed, to see this alone is we'll worth the
trip to Pittsburg.
Mr. East Is strong but conservative
painter. His craftsmanship is excellent,
as we'll as his sense OF color. His pic
lures have the ring OF truth. but they
also have well defined significance.
They are complete compositions. we'll
rounded statements-real fancies brought
to definite conclusion. To an extent
they reflect the English point Of view,
but to Il degree also their character Is de-
termined by their subject-matter.
Oddly, and yet quite naturally. when
Mr.. East paints bit OF Shakespeares
country he paints it in an English man
ner. but when he transcribes character
view in Pittsburg. he yields to the Amer
lean influence.
Mr. East is AT present III FittSDufs, nav
ing served as a member Of the interna-
tional jury. 1t is his intention later to
visit Washington.
Rangers Exhibit.
Mr.. Rangers group is hung on q side
wall in one of the main galleries, and is
likewise notable. Undoubtedly the in
| iuence OF the Barbizon school shows in
Mr.. Rangers paintings, but for this
reason they ais none the less engaging
| or sincere
| The American landscape is a very differ
ent proposition from the English land
scape, but in it's very rawness Mr.
/ Ranger has discovered a potent charm.
In addition to these two groups many
| admirable landscapes are shown, among
1 which, for extraordinary merit, may be
| mentioned one by ]. Francis Murphy,
two by Leonard Ochtman. quite in a new
vein; one by William 8. Robinson and
/ one by Chauncey F. Ryder, who is to be
| reckoned with the younger men.
! Emil Carlson sends q lovely nocturno:
/ Redfield canvas depicting a scene al
most Identical with that shown in The
/ Islands,, to which last winter the first
| Corcoran prize was given.
| There are comparatively few portraits.
That painted by Carl Melchers Of eX-
President Roosevelt. In riding costume.
hangs at the extreme Snd OF one large
| gallery in the place OF honor, and to the
right of this is seen Miss Cecelie Beaux' s
| admirable painting Of Mrs. Lewis and
| her little son. Of all the portraits shown
| the most distinguished
| There is also a charming portrait of
! JIalo ~ hr n