Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-08


Scarboro, Me-, removed from
the field of American art one
of its most conspicuous figures
In many RESPECTS Mr.. Homer occupied
unique position. In the past 1t has been
said that if the artists of the United
States were called upon to declare who in
their estimation was the greatest living
American painter, the majority wouid
cast their vote for him. Only lately an
eminent English critic, reviewing an ex-
hioition of American paintings sent
abroad, declared that of all who exhibit
ed, winslow Homer alone displayed ma
tional tendencles-that only in America
could his work have been produced.
1t was in Washington, or its vicinity,
that winslew Homer really began his
career az a professional painter, and In
this city today are four Of his pictures
The Corcoran Gallery owns his painting
entitled "A Clean on the Sea- which
represents a nsherwoman walking on the
shore Of the ocean. as we'll as one of his
water colors; the National Gallery compre-
bends in the Evans collection his Visit
of the Mistress picture of negro life
In the ante-bellum days, and his High
Clim-Coast Of Maine which he him
self considered his masterpiece.
Born in Boston in February, 1886, Wins
low Homer spent his boyhood in Cambridge
and entered a photographers establish
ment when little more than a lad. After
| two years experience he set up for him
self and made drawings for Ballou's
Monthly and Harper Brothers In 1880 he
went to New York. and at the time of
Lincoln's Inauguration came to Washing
ton in the capacity of special artist for
Harper.s Weekly.
! this paper for time at the front. but,
firing of the work, gave 1t up to give his
entire attention to painting, with which
he had then only recently begun expert
In 1864 Mr.. Homer was made an assoc
ciate Of the National Academy of De-
| sign, and in 1865 he was admitted to
, full membership. 1t was in the latter
/ 'FRONT.' which Immediately gave him
| reputation. This was one of series OF
war paintings. which was followed by
| numerous pictures OF negro life To the
National Gallery. as well as Cotton
Pickers,'' owned in London, and Eat
| ing Watermelon" Then came some pic
lures Of children, such as Crack the
Whip 1.-The Village School, etc. For
/ years, however, Winslow Homer had
flived almost as a hermit on the coast
of Maine. and given himself quite COM
pletely to the transcription of the life
men who make that region their home
/ He has painted the sea as has none
other: depicting its majesty and force
as we'll as it's mystery and charm. AS
some one has said, in his ability to
grasp and record its very atmosphere
and briny smeu he was without peer
In every INSTANCE his work is strong,
virile and impressive. Without effort
/ it directly carries conviction. 1t is
essentially American in characteristics
| At the Museum OF Fine Arts. Boston is
| his famous "Alls Well" besides THE
Fog Signal: in the Metropolitan Mu-
scum, New York, are his Gulf Stream.
The Search Light" and two powerful
pictures Of surf on the rocks.
| OF late years Mr.. Honer's health had
been falling. He had been unable to
indulge in the strenuous outdoor life
in which he delighted. and was obliged
| to confine his work to water colors.
These showed no diminution of power.
| and were but little less esteemed than
his more prctentious paintings. One OF
the best OF these-a picture Of lumber
men "logging"-is owned by the Cor
coran Gallery, and to be seen in it's
| water color exhibit. From first to
last Winslow Homer met with success,
and for all time in the history Of Amer
lean art his name will be recorded with
honor.
:: =
AT the Corcorsn Gallery recently a
painting by George DeForest Brush
was exhibited. 1t is portrait study
and the painters latest production. With