The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-04-07
"PENNSYLVANIA IN ART. {"
BY MISS FAITH CLARK.

For so small word, cart" is greatly
abused. 1t is continually being applied
to objects which altogether lack artistic
qualities, or being withheld as too strong
a term when metaphorcally clamoring
for recognition. The classes into which
art is divided range all the way from the
sor1id occupation of ditch-digging to the
exalted one of portrait painting. The
man who has the ability to dig ditch
true to the specifications is an artist; but,
it must be admitted, is lower in the scale
of excellence than he who is gifted with
the faculty of faithfully reproducing with
brushes and pigments, life, nature and
architecture. Naturally then, the labor
ing type is met with more frequently
than is the one to which the term "ar-
tist" is particularly applied. Rare as is
the true artist, Pennsylvania may well
feel proud of the distinction of being the
home, and, in several cases, the birth
place of many of the cleverest in the pro-
fession. Her gifted sons and daughters,
quick to recognize the worth of their
native State, have immortalized her in
dustries, her scenery, her history and
her people.
Unquestionably the portrait painters
take the foremost rank, when their work
is inspired by real genius. For it surely
requires vastly superior skill to imprison
upon canvas fitting expression, than
to reproduce the unchanging beauties of
inanimate nature. OF this class of ar
lists, the Keystone State has liberal
share, and greatly does she enjoy the
tributes paid them, not only by Penn
sylvanians but also by the citizens of
less fortunate States.
The most prominent of these, whose
name and productions are constantly
seen in current literature, is John Singer
Sargent. Although born in Florence, his
Pennsylvania parentage permits his be-
ing claimed by us. The name Sargent"
signed to painting, is just as much a
guarantee of worth as is the word "Ster-
ling" upon piece of silver; aad to be
painted by Sargent lends the crowning
distinction to the modern American wo-
man. Ranking closely with the master
artist, we haye Edwin Abbey and John
Alexander. The latter, Philadelphian,
is classed with the portrait painters, al
though he has several times departed
from his customary studies-on one oc-
casion to become decorator of the Library
of Congress. Wilkes-Barre claims George
Catlin, who, while not strictly portrait
painter, depicts the true American, the
Indian, in his varied and picturesque
: occupations. To familiarize himself with
} the habits of the Red Men, Catlin lived
among them for several years, which ac.
counts for the realism of his productions
Realism is, in fact, a characteristic ot
: nearly all Pennsylvania artists, so few
are there who have adopted the impress
sionistic methods of the new school.
: But we are by no means restricted tc
: consideration of our portrait painters
The deeds of those who have shaped the
history of our commonwealth have al
ways found capable illustrators. Fore
most among these ranks Benjamin West
an ardent lover of Pennsylvania, his ma
tive State. He is the acknowledged
: leader in the field others have achieved
= distinction, like Rembrandt Peale an(
Matthew Pratt, profiting by his instruc
, ton; and still others of merit show il
s their work the influence of his masterl,
S style. What wonder that other State
look with envy upon one which ha
given to the world an artist, who, through
e merit alone, became President of tn
: Royal Academy OF Art? That honor wa
s but fitting climax to Benjamin West
e successful career. Others in the histOri
= cal realm are Rothermel and Suily
y There is hardly farmhouse Throughout
Il the State that does not boast a reproduc
J. ton of the painting Washington Gross
l. ing the Delaware" yet it is highly prob
e able that not one-half of the owner
know Sully as the creator of that famou
/ work, and not one-quarter know tha
Is he was patriotic citizen of their ow
II Pennsylvania. Not less wonderful, a
e though not enjoying quite the same poI
II ularity, is the painting by Rotherm,
/. which serves to keep fresh in our men
n ories the Battle of Gettysburg.
'r TO the mural painters belong Thoms
n Eakins, exhibitions of whose art may /
G. seen in Philadelphia, and Frank Mile
er who, besides being noted as decorator
N Carnegie Institute, has executed woI
A derful portrait of William Winter.
* Among the many illustrators compe
"a ing for success at the present time, Penn
e. sylvania furnishes two representativ,
n who are swiftly gaining recognition. A
he within the wide circulation of "Collier's 8
+" and "Harper's Weekly" are familii
c. with the drawings of Charlotte Harding