The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-10-11
By ESTHER GRIFFIN WHITE.


After all painter only has paint,
brush and canvas.
The quality that makes an artist
creator called "great"-is some
times indefinabIe and sometimes not
Frequently artists are accounted great
merely by reputation or by virtue OF
what William Winter calls 1.-The parrot
cry"
Reiterate the same thing over and
constantly on one string, pose always
IN the same attitude and, after time,
you will become conspicuous.
painter, like a writer, after he
has achieved fame, or what passes for
it, often paints, like the author writes,
on the strength of his previous accom-
plishment.
These observations are called forth
by the examples of the work OF some
more or less celebrated artists at the
current art exhibition now in place in
the public art galleries in the high
school building The exhibition, as
whole, does not measure up in either
vious years although it presents va
riety Of subject and much that is merl-
torious, with several striking and one
or two fascinating canvases.
The piece de resistance, SO far as 10
cal interest is concerned, and, indeed,
so far as the painting art is of CON
sequence. is the portrait of DR.. S. r..
Lyons, painted by Mr.. Robert w. Graf
ton, Chicago artist now resident in
Indiana, who, for several years has de-
voted himself to the painting of In
diana people.
This is one of the best examples or
Mr.. Grafton's art so far shown in this
city, and the apoPee of this artists
achievement in the opinion of the writ
err.
Mr.. Grafton, successful in most in
stances in the accuracy of the likeness
and, after all, why should this not
be accounted one of the most exalted
qualities of portrait painting although
it is made a minor consideration by
the hyper-critical among the artists
has succeeded admirably with DR..
Lyons.
1t is DR.. Lyons himself.
Mr.. GraftOn's art is not subtle one.
He paints the visible--that which he
who runs may read. The envelope OF
the SOUL not the souls substance, is
the theme of his brush.
He does not tear the latter from it's
moorings. He does not probe into the
psychology of his subject He does
not present the complexities of per-
sOnality in form and color. And yet,
painting the obvious, he still faithfully
records, at times, the innermost main
spring of action as unconsciously as
a sensitive plate Unexpectedly repro
duces that which was not apparent to
the manipulation of the camera.
DR.. Lyons is in a familiar pose
standing in his pulpit, with his Bible
in one hand, the other in explanatory
gesture at his side, his gaze evidently
concentrated on some point beyond,
and it is in this placing of the vision,
that Mr.. Grafton has the most success
fully pointed his brush. In this he
has achieved that benignity of express
sion, that broadly human kindness,
that catholic federation, that is DR..
Lyons most marked public character
istic.
Mr. Grafton has handled his medi-
UNI with skill, with sureness of touch
and confident brush. His color is
rich and luminous, his texture firm.
There is certain lack of solidity in
off of lot
ness but Of a lack of flesh and bone
back of the clerical coat. This, how
ever, is of no moment in consideration
of the whole. The ensemble is life
like and compelling. And it is con.
tingent no more upon the realistic pre-
sentation of DR.. Lyons personality
than in the manner of the artist.
No detail of the picture is painted
with such consummate artistic eclat,
however, as is the book in DR.. Lyons
hand--it is inimitably done. And the
presence of the three books on the
pulpit shelf add delicious note to the
color harmony.
Mr.. Grafton is to be congratulated
upon DR. Lyons portrait.
w llildlli W. N'hdSc, pclIdpS ouc VI
the two most celebrated of America
resident painters, and native Indian
ian, is represented by very indif-
ferent example of his art in his still
life. THE Black Etching" Regarded
at his artistic climax in the painting
of still-life. Chase does not convince
in this particular instance. The ar
rangement is awkward. the BLACK
etching" itself, although we'll painted,
out of balance, and the treatment care
| less.
In the beginning of this article il
was said, that. after all, an artist has
only brush, paint and canvas. There
is no tremendous gulf between the
celebrated and the obscure. And the
writer does not hesitate to say that
Mr.. A. w. Gregg. of this city, who
makes no pretentions to painting for
! other than pastime. has produced a
subject Of this character with more
success and genuine merit in it's re-
suitant than has been done nv Chase