Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-27

suddenly arrived at distinction, but ne
comes from a section of our country
which heretofore has made small contri-
button to the world of art. Mr.. Silva was
horn in Savannah, Ga, but has spent
the greater part Of his life in Chatta-
nooea. Tenn. where until three years
ago he was actively engaged in mercan-
tile persuits. 1t was not contact with
paintings or painters that made him de-
sire TO be an artist, but an inherent love
of the beautiful and craving TO give 1t eA-
pression. Only moderately familiar Win
the works of the masters, and unac-
uuainted with other painters. MI. silva
SET out alone on the road of art, with
no other guide than his instinct
For wears. as opportunity permitted, he
SET himself problems and solved them
Ont of doors lie made landsc tpe sketches
and in the studio improvised above his
Mace of business he painted stu lie
studies and portraits OF himself from a
reflection i'll a mirror ms was an
nrenaration training the hand to cum
Ming and misunderstanding the Ian
guaee" And meanwhile he was going
about with wide-open eyes. seeing ana
perceiving noting form. color ana eliects,
gathering for future use data more Vaiu-
able than at the llIlc HI oii pa
he realized Thus, after all, success did
not come as bolt of lightning. though TO
those who knew nothing OF the appreh-
ticeship It must have appeared 10.
Three years ago Mr.. Silva went abroad
and after having studied one summer
with Arthur w. Dow at Ipswich entered
the Julien Academy in Paris, and spent
five or six months in uninterrupted study.
In 1898 he sent three pictures to the
Salon. two oils and a pastel, ana 10 ms
own amazement had all three accepted.
Later he held an exhibition of seventy
ar more paintings, produced chiefly dur
ing the previous summer at the George
Petit gallery which does not as rule
open its doors to newcomers, ana was
warmly and in many instances enthusiast
tically praised by the french critics.
Last spring he returned to this country
and spent the summer quietly at Savan-
nah Within the past few weeks he mas
held an exhibition in Boston, showing
his pictures for the first time in his own
land and meeting with no less apprecia-
ton than he did In Paris. The exhibition
here. which opened on the I'D of this
month and will continue until the 4th OF
December, comprises forty-eight pictures
and two dozen or more small sketches,
painted in Italy, France. Spain and Amer
lea.
Some are perhaps more pleasing than
others, but In merit the average is un-
commonly high Good in composition
and sturdy in construction. they are per
vaded by a gentle sentiment which gives
them peculiar significance. Influenced
by the doctrine of the impressionists, Mr..
Silva has not followed them blindly. iAe
uses apparently simple palette and lays
on his color in loose masses, securing at
mospheric effect while sacrificing nothing
to finish. The value OF the pictorial he
realizes and at the same time the duty
of an interpreter He Is by turns in his
work frank and direct or subtle and sug
gestive. For example. in some of his
pictures the truth is told openly and with
apparent finaIity nothing seemingly being
left to the observers imagination. where
as i'm others an effect Is rendered which
might lend itself to various interpreta-