Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-15

ldlHeC IN the QeaIn OF James
"A Henry Moser. one OF the best
~ known of all Washington art
lists. Mr.. Moser was SO COM
pletely identified with all branches of art
activity in Washington and his own
work was SO vital that It is hard to un-
tderstand that his presence has passed
from among us. Having accomplished
but three score years, he was, it seemed,
too young to die, but it was his privilege
to lay down his brush when he had ap-
parently attained the fullness Of his
power.
James Henry Moser was first and last
an artist. He loved his work and IT
filed his life as nearly brimfui of hap
piness as any life could be. He had
the artists insight. he was quick to per-
ceive beauty IN nature and In art, and
he was capable of securing the utmost
delight from 1t. Something lovely in
nature, a bit Of color, an effect Of light
"a sunrise or a sunset-were as meat
and drink to him, and when he succeed
ed in translating some such element of
beauty through the medium Of his art
his joy was. for the moment, complete.
Whatever he did was done with en-
thusiasm. Not the aggressive sort, nor
Yet that which betokens overstrained
nerves, but that which IS poured forth
naturally as the overflow from a con-
slant spring-an enthusiasm fed from
silent depths. Wherever he went it
was the same-new-found beauty For
several summers he painted in the Adj
rondack mountains and his pictures of
the clouds on the peaks are uneaualed in
subtlety and truth of transcription.
Every day was different, new shadows
and new lights, and his letters home to
friends told of the wonders of nature
and the delights of the painters outlook.
not infrequently tucked in with the let
ing a certain effect-a tiny little picture,
but neatly mounted, and as big in con-
ception as if 1t had measured feet in
stead oil inches in dimensions
Generosity is an attribute almost in
variably associated with an artistic
temperament, for the incentive to eX-
preston is a desire to give out or t.
share. In Mr. Moser this trait was
very pronounced; he gave himself liber-
ally; he was ever ready to share his
pleasures with others. and he was
quick to see and appreciate merit in the
works of other painters. He was al
ways more apt to praise than to con-
denim, though he was not lacking In
critical faculties. One day a friend. en-
tering his studio. was greeted with
the announcement that there was some
thing on hand well worth seeing, anC
a painting by one of the younger
artists was brought forth and explained.
II was worth having, but the price Mr.
Moser paid for 1t was one or his owl
! pictures in exchange, and he was as
| happy over it as d child with a coveted
| toy.
! Another time d fellow painter lay IL
and dying. In l2cal exhibition were
/ shown two of hisEworks. One almos
| Immediately bore the magic sign Sold.
Mr. Moser was the purchaser though
no one knew it, and the purchase wa:
made in order 10 tighten fellow man;
| last dark hours. But I'm glad Il
| have it" Mr.. Moser said 1T has som,
| fine quality in it" a purchase of thi.
! sort just then meant not merely CIV
/ ing, but sacrifice. for it was d lean
| season.
| But Mr. Moser had that priceless gift
possessed by comparatively few-ar
ability TO find happiness In everyda.
| life. He was rich in those things tina
are without price. He had a completed,
| happy home life and he was home
maker He enjoyed companionship am
/ found endless enjoyment In books. IL
! human relationships and In his work
/ In his habits of living he was simple
and natural: his outlook was frank ant
untroubled. The complex problems max
no interest for him.
| This temperament found expression
| in his paintings. which, almost withou
| exception, interpreted beauty In I
/ frank, simple. poetic way with ski
and restrained emotion. Never did hi
pictures ,deteriorate into mere pretti
ness; sentiment with him never de
scended to sentimentality; he saw ant
/ felt in big way and he was sincer'
/ workman Many OF his transcription
are extremely subtle and almost al
are lovely in tone. They are picturel