The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-02-16

DRAWN BY GEORGE UPP
Who It ls Remembered Had Studio
In keokuk Many Years Ago,
Now Living Near
Hamilton.

Keokuk will miss chance for a sea.
son OF rare enjoyment If they fail to
look upon the three striking pictures,
POLITICALLY conceived and artistically
wrought with the skilled hand and cul-
tured eye Of natural artist, which
are now hanging on the walls Of the
keokuk National bank. me only OBJ
ject known for their being thus dis.
played is that those OF Keokuk's peo-
pie who desire may see and admire
this excellent work Of home artist.
1t was probably as long ago as thirty
i've years when George Upp, in a
modest way, established himself in a
studio in Keokuk. He loved his art
with the fondest devotion. While
here he painted many commendable
pictures and some portraits of several
Of our prominent citizens. He is we'll
known to many of our citizens espec-
tally of the retiring generation and
they all admire him for his worth as
man and his eminent skill as an
artist.
Some years ago he left Keokuk, but
did not go far away, locating only a
few miles out from Hamilton on a
farm AS he was child of nature,
he chose the free and open life on a
farm to the closer environments Of a
city. There he lives in splendid re-
tirement, true nature-artist His
friends in Keokuk have never forgot
ten him but visit him frequently and
he gives them that cordial hand OF
cordially, characteristic Of him who
drinks in the exhilirating influences
and inspiration of nature amid the
surroundings of fields and flowers and
unrestricted farm life.
The three pictures on exhibition at
the Keokuk National bank show a
versatility that is rare. The first pic.
ture approached Is that named, "The
Violinist,' and is an interesting
study. The model for this picture is
none other than Professor Zoellner OF
Keokuk. He is pictured In the pose
of an accomplished violinist, thought
full and inspired, prepared to bring
out the sweet sounds originating in
the cultured brain of great master
composer. The second picture may
we'll be called Sea Shells another
study, but the name is commonplace
compared with the beauties of the con-
ception. 1t is a bright little girl with
an innocent smile resting upon her
youthful face, holding with dimpled
hand a sea shell to her ear as If she
We're inquiring: What are the wild
waves saying?" The third Is fruit
temptation, "a Fruit Piece" drawn so
true to nature that you imagine you
are in the presence of hospttable
host who is extending to you plat
ter of delicious refreshments, and
just as you, with extended hand, are
about to say, Thank you; l don't
care If do the allusion vanishes
and you remember that the artist
George Upp, did it with a series OF
his mystical strokes OF trained
brush.
Some years ago William T. Horn
aday, the noted naturalist, brother OF
the late Calvin Hornaday of this
city, became interested in the extra
ordinary work Of Mr.. Upp and num-
Der of his valuable conceptions We're
sold at handsome prices at Buffalo
N. Y, and at other eastern points
His friends here are earnest and en-
thusiastic in their admiration Of his
work. He is still welded to his love
of labor in this Iine-in bright con
tceptions and artistic touches on can
vas He has no apparent ambitions
except to crafty his great love for his
art and the genius that was born in
him.