The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-14

"It is a very nice exhibition, even if tbey are mostly women,3 announced a pleasant young man in spectacies, who stood in a group of visitors at this springs Art club exhibition. Verify to this young man the question of Woman Suffrage is not, and Rosa Bonheur never lived and never painted As a matter Of fact the women who chiefly compose the Art club-they also are glau to admit men as members and exhibitors-are quite willing to be judged with no allow ance for the disqualification of sex, and what is there in the handling of many of the canvases to differentiate the work from that of the masculine painter? The remark of the pleasant young man in spectaces was recalled during visit to Mrs Lukes studio the other day, when she was showing to a group Of her frlehds examples of her work in Cincinnati dur ing the winter There is certainly noth- ing womanish about the little piece of clay which has taken shape within few days and which one knows at once Tor the head of Salome and John the Bap- tist. The portrait of the old man who posed for her in Cincinnati, and of the negro workman, a study of whom she was perfecting after a few poses from the "darxy' to each are presented with grasp of the subject that is firm and rinwavering. and with a sensitiveness to every characteristic which differentiates one human face and one human head from another. She comprehends and eX- at,o tor uithnnf in any way rendering them srotesque. In fact Mrs. Luke paints astonishingly well, and is going to paint better for there IS not a mere conscientious, energetic or talented young woman in Birmingham. If, as generally nowadays is conceded, genius is work, then she has genius, too' for before her return home from Gin cinnati, a studio had been engaged for her and she began work at once and is spending most of her hours there follow Ing the routine started in Cincinnati two years ago and continued daily ever since. Mrs. Luke began her study of art with Miss Edna Smith in this city, and her work in oils and miniature has been much admired. She counts herself but be- einner in portraiture. but has become well known here and elsewhere for her mnia- lures Among her best bits Of work are in her studio al present, for two mnia- lures exhibited in the spring were re- turned to her this week. There are sev- eral here in private collections. One is her miniature of Mrs. Leo K. Ste1ner which is an exquisite bit of workman ship Another, done from life. is minia- ture of Mrs. John E. Miles. owned by her daughter, Mrs. Richard Johnston and there are a number of children studies She paints the little people with especial sympathy and eleVerness. Even in the tiny portrait studies Mrs. Luke's work has exceptional individuality, so that her work in general refutes the condescend- ing attitude of the young man in spec tacles, symbolic of the whoe species of man.
 There is charming miniature study of a young woman, which was completed this winter and accepted for the exhibk tion from May to June of the Art In stitute of Chicago 1t is a panel-shaped ivory, and there is something exquisite in the color treatment. The figure is that of a slight young woman. seated in a graceful attitude, simply and easily, and apparently listening. The little head is gracefully set on the slender shoulders the small features beautifully expressed
 hair of the softest, richest gold, the apricot color of a scarf falling from her shoulders. and the deep blue of her simple bodice with its tiny collar Of lace, and the cerise of a small tie are in exquisite harmony with the quiet pose. Mrs. Luke has painted it, miniature that it is. with