The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27
DATE SET FOR AUCTION
OF FAMOUS CANVASES
Hill Collection of Paintings to Go Under
Hammer at the St. Francis Hotel
By MARGARET MARSHALL DOYLE


A display of unusual interest is the
collection of paintings and sketches by
the late Thomas Hill, which is being
shown a the gallery of the Hill estate
in Kearny street near Sutter. Prior 10
its removal to the St. Francis, where
the pictures will be sold at public auc-
tion. the exhibition will be open to the
public daily from to ).
Altogether there are exhibited 81 fin
ished canvases and 1O6 sketches COM
prising landscapes and marines as we'll
as figure studies, done in the warm,
true note that q decade ago made Hills
name famous throughout the United
for the auction in the red room of the
st. Francis. a sale which will continue
until Saturday evening of next week. in
order definitely to settle the Hill estate.
Many of the paintings to be shown will
be offered for sale for the first time. as
most of them belonged to the private
collection of the artist, with which he
would never part. Sixteen of them are
large canvases suitable only for halls.
galleries or large rooms
Prominent among these is The Driv-
ing of the Last Spike already famed
throughout the length and breadth of
the state. Identified. as it is, with the
pioneer history and the early growth of
California the artists son, Robert ].
HILL is endeavoring to raise subscrip-
tion fund TO purchase it for the me-
mortal museum in Golden Gate park,
where for so many years it has found a
resting place.
Scenes from the Grand canyon Of the
Colorado of the Yosemite valley and
Yellowstone park, with one or two
eastern landscapes and paintings done
In Washington, together with two
striking Alaska scenes, will be in
cluded in the group hung. OF these
last "The Salmon Festival teens with
the native life as il was a few yearx
ago. A group of Alaska Indians are
gathered on the ocean shore to cele-
brate their annual festival at the close
of the fishing season. The vivid cos
tunes OF the Indians. the air OF fes-
tivity and the setting by the boats,
with background of sea and sky and
rugged cliffs, add to the warmth and
strength of the canvas. All OF the
prismatic effect of the Muir glacier. on
the other hand. Hill has imprisoned in
his second Alaska scene. which is
handled with great power and shows
the wonderful versatility and breadth
characteristic OF most Of his master
pieces.
One OF the best scenes on view is Of
Mount Tacoma. simply and strongly
executed, with the mountain in the
distance. snow crowned. the Columbia
at Its base and on the wooded banks in
the foreground party OF campers at
rest by large bonfire.
Apart from their undoubted art value
the exhibition Is worth seeing. as it
represents the work of one OF the ar
lists who in his day helped to advance
California to it's present position in the
world of art.
A number of interesting sketches
and small water color paintings will be
shown Thursday. Friday and Saturday
of this week by Miss Minnie Sheppard
at her apartments at the Stewart.
These will be for the most part port
folio sketches suitable for Christmas
and New Year cards. and In with them
will be hung a score or more of dainty
little landscapes, scenes taken from
around ST. Helena. handled with great
delicacy and breathing a wonderful i'm
aginative quality.
The artist had intended closing her
studio in ST. Helena. where for many
years she has made her home. during
the coming winter months, and con-
templated opening one In this city. Her
plans have been changed. however. be-
cause OF a number of important com
missions she has lately received, and
also because she Is anxious TO remain
in the country, the better to carry out