Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-16

decision be reached as to which is the
best of things SO varied and unlike as
portraits, landscapes, marine and still life
paintings? Why then. have prizes? Be
cause they encourage the artists and lend
interest with the public
The Prize Winners.
The first prize in this exhibition was
awarded to a painting by Childe Hassam,
entitled A New York Window pic
ture of young woman seated before a
large studio window lightly curtained
through which the ghostly forms of tow
ering buildings are to be discerned. 1t is
gray day or twilight and everything is
seen in half-shadOW and gentle tone. Its
effect is admirable well unusual, the
problem solved is difficult beyond belief
The sentiment Furthermore is charming
not profound. not moving, but subtle and
lovely as things of the spirit are bound to
be. This is impreSSionism OH high
plane.
The second prize was won by a winter
landscape by Gardner SymOns-a zig vi
rile canvas, colorful, strong and agreeably
impressive. if perhaps erring a little on
the side of exaggerated realism. But such
work is virile and healthy, and bears wit
ness to a vigorous and robust spirit of
art
The third prize fell to a landscape by
Daniel CARRIER. who is still to be reckoned
1t is entitled THE Wilderness and shows
Il semi-decorative composition of bare
trees Overgrown with leaf1ess vines be-
yond which runs a river and rises a high
bank. The charm of this work lies in it's
lovely color scheme and remarkable at
mospheric effect. the beauty of which is
beyond description.
The fourth prize. which carried with it
honorable mention, went to a nude by
Carl ]. NcrdelI which technically is pro-
"a nfp init
These pictures are distributed in diff
ferent galleries; to each, save the last,
however, positions of special prominence
have been given.
Place of Honor.
The place of honor in the exhibition
the center of the far wall in the gallery
directly facing the staircase, is occupied
in this exhibition by group of six paint
ings by John S. Sargent. In the center is
a delightful recent work, an interior-a
figure of young woman lounging on a
couch, beneath a voluminOus robe. This
is painted. as only Sargent can, with
vivacity. amazing cleverness and sound
knowledge 1t is owned and lent by Mr..
Hugo Reisinger of New York, and is a
mastery little canvas
Above this has been placed a portrait
of a woman in a red dress. painted in all
probability some years ago when Sar-
gents art was as great as 1t is today
and his cleverness less pronounced. There
$ something very beautiful even moving,
in this portrait study, rendered with al
most startling directness and perfectly
sustained strength. To the left hang
portraits of Mrs Pulitzer and her dis
tinguished husband, the late Joseph Pu-
liter. To the right are seen portraits
of Mrs. Fiske warren and her daugh-
ter and of Mrs. Arthur Hupnewell. All
display Sargent's genius for recording
likeness, his facile brush work. his Won
derful power of frank expression There
are little flaws to be found. no doubt,
but none can deny that these are big
and gifted works-paintings of which, as
product of our age, We may be justly
proud.
No less accomplished or impressive are
the two portraits which Cecilia Beaux
has contributed to this exhibition-one
likeness of Serene Payne, which has been
lent by the ways and means committee
of Congress for whom last summer 1T
was painted, and the other a portrait of
a lady. lent by Mrs. Benjamin Vaughan.
The former shows only little more than
the head and shoulders and is a straight
forward. vigorous p zee OF work, full Of
personality and character; the latter Is
almost a full length and has pictorial
quality.
In this there is not only Interpretation
OF character. transcription of personality,
but beautiful treatment of textures, eX-
quisite harmonies of color. The lady.
wearing an evening gown and fur-trim-
med wrap of lovely color and design,
rests her arm on high mahogany chest
of drawers. on which stand two brass
candlesticks. and gaZeS thoughtfully to-
ward the observer. The figure, which is
well constructed. stands we'll within the
frame and in perfect relation to her en-
vironment. She Is vital, yet enigmatical;
essentially modern and yet detached from
the present. This is something more than
good painting-it is great art.
Other Portraits Of Note.
There are other excellent portraits in
this eXhibition-portraits to which interest
attaches ON account of tho diStincfion AZ