The Washington herald., 1910-02-20

VT. AIN WILLIAMS
President Of the British Royal Society of Miniature
Painters.
placed in Guild Hall Public Art Gallery.
London.
King Edward granted the title Royal
to the famous art society Mr. Williams
established in England in 1875.
Il am happy 10 be able to help your
cause, said the King TO Mr.. Williams, in
his peculiarly low though distinct tone.
SO noticeable to Americans. The artist,
on behalf Of the English miniature paint
ers, thanked his majesty for the great
honor conferred on the society.
Has .ZrorvIedge of Art.
The King sat to Mr.. Williams in the
famous red room in buckingham Palace.
the apartment in which his majesty re-
ceives his ministers in private audience.
Smoking and chatting freely during the
sittinGs, the monarch evinced thorough
knowledge of art matters generally. He
expressed hearty interest in the advance
ment Of miniature painting showing Mr..
Williams miniature portraits of members
Of the royal families. These gems, paint
by his majesty who heartily approves OF
the old custom of great English families
in having painted and handed down from
generation to generation these precious
ancestral mementoes.
Mr.. Williams comes to the United States
to paint miniatures of the leading men,
bers of New York City's 400 and dis
tingUiShed social and financial leaders
throughout the country. He has just
completed studies OF President Taft at the
White House. He speaks Interestingly of
similarity Of manner between our Presi-
dent and his King. Both men are active
in movement. have the same ease and
freedom Of speech, and a strikingly SINH
lar genial manner. I was impressed with
President Tafts rare gift. despite distrac-
ting surroundings, of concentrating his
attention alone upon the person with
whom he speaks for the moment. King
Edward, said Mr.. Williams also has
this enviable trait One leaves the pres
ence of each of these great rulers fat
tered by the reception he has enjoyed.
Has Cordial Manner.
Having attended one Of King Edwards
levees at Buckingham Palace, and having
been a guest at last years garden party
a Windsor Castle, Mr.. Williams is pc
culiarly qualified to speak. President
Tafts cordial manner markedly resem-
bles our Kings democratic bearing at
Windsor Castle garden parties. He is
quite as accessible TO his guests as
your President appears to his White
House visitors"
The miniature portrait of President
Taft just completed by Mr.. Williams will
be presented to the Guild Hall Art Cal
lery Of the City Of London and placed be-
side the artists latest miniatures of the
British King and Queen. President Taft
on seeing Nh, Williams finished minia-
ture said. You've made me too good
looking. Then after a pause, with a
merry twinkle and a eharacteristically
tovial smile, he added: But I don't mind
that in the least
Mr.. Williams in his portrait of Presi-
dent Taft wonderfully transfers TO ivory
his warmth of nature, the miniature is
not only perfect as to lines of features,
contour. and lifelike expression. but II
is actually the true strong, Iovable, pa
triotic Taft The artist feels the great
kindly nature Of his distinguished sub
ject and makes his miniature almost
speak with this very life
The art OF portraitue if Photographic
fails in certain respects A portrait of
high standard must seemingly exude the
actual lifelike qualities of the sitter 1t
must convey to the beholder the very
character of the original Mr. Williams
success in his miniature of President Taft
clearly illustrates the artists genius
Good Portrait of Queen.
Queen Alexandra recently sat to Mr..
Williams His portrait of her is FRO
nounced By English connoisseurs as one
of the few perfect portrayals OF the
beautiful Queen Ia existence. Her
majesty commended It highly when It
was exhibited by command at the annual
exhibition Of the Royal Academy. Re
productions Of this artistic triumph are
are now published throughout the world.
When, however. President Taft's portrait