The Washington times., 1914-01-28
Artist HelniCR UnSun9
In His Own Country


the genius of Howard Helmick. Ameri-
can painter b. the purchase of one
Of his paintings for $500 A previous
one sold in England for $500.
America, the country in which he
was born, in which he studied as a
oy. especially the cities of Phi!ade-
phia and Washington. D. c., where he
.ived for the twenty years preceding
MS death, have yet to make any proper
reCOsnition OF this man, already honor
ID in England, France and Germany
The students Of HelmiCk. who worked
under his instruction during the years
preceding his death in l90T have start
I'd a movement which should result in
The proper recognition of their master
Many live in this city
Although the greater portion of the
paintings by Helmick are in England,
many are owned by residents of this
"ity. Almost all Of his former students
nave at least one or two color etchings,
81 art gallery is in possession of about
twenty-seven oils and water colors, and
several sketches and oils, color etch-
inSs and unfinished oil sketches are in
The possession of Mrs. c. T. Limeburn-
~. sister, who lives here.
Early Hint of Genius.
a hiut of the coming value of Hell
$500 was paid for one of his oils
Helmick, during his residence, was
something OF a recluse for many years.
and was unwilling to force himself upon
Of community which seemed to have no
desire to welcome him.
Whatever Washington failed to give
him in the way Of appreciation was
supplied by his students, who fairly |
idollzed him, and have never forgotten |
what he meant to them not only in an /
artistic bu- in an educational sense.
Very little is known of the history of |
.!elmick. and most of the Information in
his article was supplied by w. + |
Davis, 4 young architect of this city,
Who has long been interested in the life
and work of the artist
Pupil of Rothemel'
Howard He!mick was born in America,
q, Putnam, Ohio, was educated in Phila-
GelDhia, where he was pupil of Roth
ermel. and after he had achieved signal
success IN France. England, and Ger
many. he came back to America and
Settled il this city.
His ambition was to teach young
American. artists the methods which he
had learned and TO try to impart to
hem some Of the means by which ne
had achieved prominence abroad but
Washington did not take lIirily to him.
II" received but cold welcome from
tie attention given him abroad, and as ,
nc was Z modest and retiring man in
stead OF insisting upon his principles
md involving himself in an endless dis I
cusslon, he quietly withdrew to himself !
Convinced of Own Power.
He continued, however. to give private 1T
lessons at his studio in Georgetown, l
and members of his classes who are :
living in Washington today have never i
forgotten him. y
The impression he made upon all /
those with whom he came in contact G
was lasting one; loyalty, conscien- a
uousness and firm conviction of the c
justice of his own ideas were the traits
which stood out prominently. :
Miss +. T. Stafford of this city, one of |
his former pupils who consented to give I
short sketch of the man. said:
have never known any man so in
hnitely well equipped and at the same
tine capable of teaching others what
ne knew. Mr.. Helmick was very highly
'-ducated, was an excellent speaker, and
"ould tell inspiringly of any idea His
~ Ork was that of a man of DISTINCTLY
superior intelligence and, while result
irE in a color of which 1 have never o
seen the equal ii is both sane and log
al in construction. Up
Popular In England. il
Many Of his works painted in Eng C
and sold as they sat on the easel his
popularity was immense 1t is difficult n
10 trace the greater portion of the
" orks sold abroad, as they are in pri-
Tate collections. He was thoroughly e.
pIt of sympathy with the standards
md ideas in Washington at the time Of p;
lis residence here and never would take d.
the trouble to explain himself There c
vas nothing trivial about him. nothing
cry high
This seems to be the general picture
.i the man Helmick, as his pupils re-
member him. but of the boy artist who a.
we'd and studied in Philadelphia the tn
lister, Mrs. Limeburner. could tell ca
much. She allowed a short inspection
"f the paintings in her possession and III
cry kindly supplied interesting bits of
anperSonal history connected with them IA
Rare Expert In Color.
One oil painting Of 4 big. awkward NJ
I0p. is one she cherishes most. for il hs
N.as made when the artist was just
N enty years Old.
other color etchings and water coJors az
~ he. possession are fin examples of sh
10 best work Of the artist There is {
o oouD- but that he was on OF the 70
IRE experts in color. This is seen chief Ia
in the color etchinEs. one 4 man in g.
ulonial costume with a violin. being
'fused with rare golden light i'm.
"ssible 10 describe.
IielmiCkS color is pale but luminous
art is painstaking. and will bear
use inspection. but loses nOthin. with ,
lance. Especially is tnis true OF a 10 imo
mail Unfinished oil I'm The possession tn
Of Mrs. LImeburner, The Story Of tn WI
ross. = nun is kneeIing by tho sid to
q. q Slrl of about eight years. Who l. pr
Standing in raDt attention. eyes fixed
- the dark crucifiN at the extreme right tic
r the picture er
Remarkable Light Elects. Fl,
The hair Of the child is bronze and go
er body IS only partly covered by a oI
.'ah;y slip which she wears. The eff -.
"ct Of radiant light from her hair and nj
rom her whole IgIre Is remarkable.
howard was always more modest =