Evening journal., 1912-03-12
PYLE ART
DAzzLES
Magnificent Collection Of
Paintings On Public View
for First Time
FRIENDS HOPE COLLECTION
WILL BE SAVED FOR CITY

The hanging of pictures for the
Howard Pylo Exhibition in the du-
Pont ballroom was completed this
morning, in readiness for the opening
Of the exhibition to the public from
? until 10 o'clock tomorrow and
Thursday. The exhibit is free TO all
and is given to let the people of VIII
mington see the original paintings Of
the world famous artist who was
practically all his life a resident Of
Wilmington.
Mr.. Pyle rarely exhibited his origi-
nal work and in this collection OF
over 200 paintings, Wilmington peo-
pie will have an opportunity that few
people have ever had. The exhibit
Will be revelation TO those who see
II Of the greatness Of Howard Pyle,
for his reproduced pictures in the
magazines are far below the original
In beauty
The indirect lighting of the BALL
room, the artificial lighting, is very
soft ana pleasing in It's effect ON tho
pictures. The collection has been ar
ranged on large screens Of natural
colored hurlap. oncircling the room.
The greater part of the display is coll
Ored oil painting, with a lesser num-
ber of pen and inks The pictures are
all from the work of Mr.. Pyle's later
years, and very largely from the pic
lures In Harper's Magazine Only the
paintings that are owned by the Pyle
estate are being displayed, which
leaves out those privately owned by
other people. Owing to this decision,
the original of the dupont Calendar
which is owned by the E. l. DUPONT
deNemours Company, will not be ex-
hibited
There are "A number OF the famous
Pyle pirate pictures, a large painting
showing a grim buccaneer with storm
blown cloak and scarlet sash, and
scornfully folded arms, keeping his
stand on the wave-swept deck with
giant seas towering over the vessel.
Another painting, "Marooned, with its
solitary figure despairingly bowed.
seated on the illimitable sands with
nothing but endless ocean in the dis
tance. and IT'S pirate bravery of scarlet
sash and pistols a mOckery of its fear
tion.
The many Illustrations of old
medieval romances show fascinat-
ing sheen OF embroidered silks and
laccs, gallant cavaliers and sweet
maidens. Then there arc soldier pic
lures, and colonial pictures, and many
pictures Of the sea. One famous pic
ture is a black and white oil painting
of the burning of wonderfully paint
ed old galleon
Visitors will doubtless notice tho
| absence of pictures of the modern
period This did not appeal to Mr.
Pyle as did the picturesqueness OF
the olden times, and he once said that
he doubted If he could paint a mod
ern society picture. At least he had
no wish to try.
One effect that Mr.. Pyle was fond OF
was the placing of his figures in quiet
cool shadow, while in the distance is
sun-swopt expanse of golden field
and radiant sky. His marvellous power
Of working out details without taking
away from the bigness and strength
of his picture. is another thing visitors
will notice. Mr.. Pyle was very accur-
ate i'm his details, everything was his
torically correct or true to nature.
The public exhibit will be preceded
by a private view this afternoon
chiefly for members of the press and
art critics from other cities and from
Wilmington The committee, the local
artists. and the wives of the artists
will receive the guests. The pictures
are to be sold. and this will be a mat
| ter that will bring many people IN
terested in art from other cities. II
| is hoped however. by Mr. Pyles
friends that the paintings will remain
in Wilmington and become the pro
pcrty of the city.