Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-29

T7HE ne-hundred-and-fif.h ANNUAL
exhibition Of the Pennsylvania
Academy of Fine Arts, which
III opened in Philad elphia last
Saturday evening with a iecep-
ton and private view. has quite q little
local interest, including in its catalogue
a number of works by Washington art
lists. This exhibition is the most in!por-
tant of the year. and to be represented
therein is commonly accounted an nonor.
Two portraits painted by Miss Cath
arine c. Critcher of this city haze been
placed ION the line"-one, "A Girl OF the
South shown here last winter in the
Corcoran Gallery's exhibition ann the
other of Mrs. Charles Hewitt Wright in
Guided, in the spring. in the Society of
Washington Artists display To Miss
Netta Craig has been accorded the dis
tinction not only OF having picture-a
little interior. which she contributed
hung on the line. but in one of the princi-
pal small galleries. thanking. with some
what similar painting by Adairene-Vose
Congdon, large portrait by Walter
MacEwen.
Everett l.. Warner is represented by a
nocturne-"The Shipyard - Moonlight -
hung In the main gallery. and by win
ter picture-"The First Snow'-less well
placed. but perhaps even more adj
mirable. Mrs. Nina f. Allender. who
has, by the way. studio in New York
this winter, sends one of her little city
pictures. and Miss Berta M. Hansen. who
is living at present in Philadelphia. her
portrait of an old NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
an"-an excellent piece of work. Notable
also were two paintings by Mr.. A. W.
Sparks. scenes in Algeria and in Marti-
nique, colcrful and impressive.
To the sculpture court also the interest
extended. where. 'conspicuously placed
was a working model of one of the four
colossal tigers, by Phimiste- Proctor. for
the Piney Branch bridge. as we'll as Il
charming small work, Music: lie Luther
de Cremone,'' by Miss Brenda Putnam,
the daughter of Mr.. Herbert Putnam,
librarian Of Congress.
This exhibition comprises 4s1 paintings
and 112 pieces of sculpture. and repre-
sents the work of no less than so artists.
1t is perhaps as pleasing a display as the
Pennsylvania Academy has ever set
forth, though the standard of merit may
be no higher than I'm past seasons. The
place of honor in the main gallery has
been given to an immense canvas by r.
c. Tarbell. an equestrian group I'M
pressive and vet far from convincing
Reiug still unfinished, critical Judgment
should be withheld, but it may be said
that in its present state. the composition
lacks unity and the color scheme charm.
There Is none in modern times VINO mas
painted finer interiors than Mr. Tarbell.
but man. woman, two horses and
dog. with a landscape. setting, make quite
y different proposition, especially when
they are represented about life size.
To the left of this large picture hangs
n,,-t nfr,
entitled 1.-The Hunters MOon''-a picture
in which nine-tenths is sky and but one
tenth land. High above the horizon Is
the crescent moon. pale but. luminous; far
below. emerging from wood. is a group
of figures like huge firef1ies, each carry
ing a lantern. Not much to make
picture. but in this painting the spacious
ness of the heavens is marvelously sug-
gested The sky is not a canopy; the
night is not black-the observer looks
up and on through limitless space, and
is conscious of the significance of i'm
measurable distance. To this picture
was awarded the Walter Lippincott prize
of 500.
In the same gallery are two portraits
by John S. Sargent and one by George
de Forest Brush Of special note. The
former are likenesses. respectively of
Mr. Joseph Pulitzer, the publisher, and
OF DR. j. William White, the latter IL
very recent work. The portrait of Mr..
Pulitzer is an extraordinary perform
ance, measuring up-4o the painters high
est achievementS-the portrait of Mr.
John Hay. for instance-and is no less
clever than studied. The portrait Of DR.
White is interesting and virile, but more
commonplace.
Dramatically different in manner of
handling, at least. is the Portrait OF IA
Lady by George de Forest Brush. This
painter rejoices In hiding his art and in
spirit turns back for inspiration to the
painters before Raphael. He leaves no
trace of his brush, his surfaces are we'll
rubbed down. but they are beautiful, and
the result is not lacking in potency. The
face in this portrait, ase in the Mona
Lisa, is mask, hiding a character both
elusive and engaging. A. painting by
Winsow Homer of two wild ducks flying
over the waller at close range is also
shown in this gallery, which, in fact
contains many important works.
Edward W. Redfield, who has so lately
been exhibiting at the Corcoran Gallery
of Art, is represented by three paintings,
one an excellent autumn landscape. and
two winter pictures. W. Elmer Schofield
shows an admirable snow scene, The
Road. and Ernest David Roth, the
etcher., sends an especially clever inter-
probation OF a red barn amid snow drifts.
Too much can scarcely be said in praise
of Paul Dougherty's marine, THE Black
Squall," which with dramatic feeling
combines subtle loveliness of effect John
w. Alexanders figure painting "A Sum-
mer's Day." through charm of color and
grace OF line nrfst also attract much at
tention, and Daniel CARRIERS Hills of
Byram'' must be specially remarked for
individuality and merit.
Portraits and figure paintings are per-
haps more numerous than landscapes,
which is unusual. Among the former is
a portrait of DIR. Billings, by Miss Ellen
Emmett: one Of Mrs. Charles Gilpfn. Sd,
by Carroll 8. Tyson. jr., and one of Mrs
c. Silard Smith by Hugh Breckenridge.
The Temple gold medal for the best pic
ture painted in oils. regardless of sub
ject, was awarded 10 Howard Gardiner
Gushing for portrait of his wife: and
the Carol II. Brack gold medal went to
Adolphe L. Borie for his portrait. en-
titled Lady with Black Scarf'-uniaue
In having a night sky as background