Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-11-26
Real Art in Omaha's
Most Modern Hotel
The Work Of Masters, Not the
Chrome, for Dedication
Of Guests.

In the Lobby and the Ladies' re-
ception room at the New Blackstone
Hotel there is art to the sum total Of
$1,000. This amount of money repre-
sents four carefully chosen pictures
The Author" cost $500. "Roses and
Liliacs" cost $3.50, 1.-THE Head of Loeb
Katrine" is valued at $1,000, and "ln
the Berkshires" represents an eXpen-
diture of $3.50.
To those who can talk the jargon OF
art, to those who simply love the beau
tiful, and to those who go in for the
personality of folks Of renown, the
four pictures mentioned hold consid-
cradle interest.
For both reasons of art and romance,
THE Author" is the best known Of the
group Of four pictures which form the
nucleus Of the collection which it is
the intention of Mr.. Moffitt to as
semble as part of the Blackstone's
many characteristic features. There
is bit of war history mixed up with
this example Of the art Of Rene Xavier
Prinet, noted French painter of the
modern school. and successful ex-
hibitor here and abroad.
When 1.-THE Author" satisfying
study Of concentration in a lamp
lighted library, was being returned to
Europe from exhibition at the Car
negie Art Institute of Pittsburg little
over two years ago, the picture was
seized by the English. And it was
only through the intervention of men
high in financial circles of both Amer
nd ulon1 fhof tho nainfinQ
returned to America instead OF being
held as spoil of war. Returned 1t was,
however, and eventually became one Of
the paintings exhibited at the last
Friends of Art Exhibit at the Hotel
Fontenelle. There it was the most ad-
mired painting of the entire exhibit,
and there 1t was seen. admired and
purchased by Mr.. Moffitt.
1.-THE Author" Is a wonderful con-
trast Of light and shade, with the virile
face of the man, the author, accentu-
ated by the yellow glow of lamphght,
and the whole emphasized by vanish
ing perspective and clever handling
Of blacks. One gets from 1t a sense
of endeavor which foreshadows great
achievement. It is impossible to view
1.-THE Author" without gathering to in
ner consciousness something Of inspir-
alton and purpose.
Gaining by contrast with 1.-THE Au-
thor" there is Roses and Lilacs,"
painted by the celebrated French ar
fist, Raoul de Longpre. This picture
is a truly wonderful portrayal of
massed roses and lilacs in such pris-
tine colors that one reaches out almost
frresistibly to touch the delicately-
fashioned petals of rose upon rose, or
the enticing lilacs which, with becom.
ing modesty, enhance the wonder Of
the de Longpre roses.
H. P Whitmore, personal friend of
Raqul de Longpre, and well known To-
car authority in matters of art, de-
scribes the painter Of flowers as
master. Says Mr.. Whitmore, "Raoul
de Longpre not only paints roses, but
grows them. He knows every petal,
every shade and every characteristic
of his favorite flowers. When he de-
picts them it is with faithfulness to
detail which may well be said to rival
nature. Mr.. de Longpre is in love with
his wonderful art and the beholder Of
his accomplishment instinctively real
ICES this fact" ,..u..-..t...,...-
1t is a matter of interest that Raoul
de Longpre has brother in the United
States The brother is Paul, resident
Of Los Angeles, and well known to
America as painter Of flowers. But
Paul is said by artists to be less adept
than his brother, though perhaps more
Of a money-maker. 1t is related Of him
that he once gave a dinner at which
were present J. P. Morgan, Rookie
Teller and other financiers, and that
IN honor of the occasion he went to
Dc length of importing fish from
Japan to swim a brief while in an
oriental fish garden.
Another picture which will delight
habitues and visitors Of the Blackstone
is entitled. "In the Berkshires." Who
ever has seen the white birch in the
half light Of early morning and upon
She slope Of the peculiarly gentle Berk-
shire hills will be transported by this
restful picture to days gone by. The |
time Is autumn, the predominant color !
Is the glorious golden yellow which |
only the frost-seared birch can por.
tray and out Of this visioning of the
"Berkshires" comes the dream of !
pleasant melancholy with which dying |
summer is instinct. This picture is by |
Frank C. Raynaud, Swiss-American
artist Of renown and product of the
famous Ecole Des Beauz Arts, Paris.
The gem Of the collection which the |
Blackstone has so far obtained is 1.-THE
Head Of Loeb Katrine," painted by
Charles Stuart. Whether Mr.. Stuart |
is a descendent Of the Stuarts with
whom the fame Of Scotland is inter
woven is question, but there is no
question but what he has caught and
imprisoned on canvas the charm of
Scottish scenery at its best.
THE beholder of The Head Of Loeb
Katrine' is at once impressed with the
naturalness, the fidelity Of the pic
ture," according to Mr.. Whitmore, who
has visited the gem like lake in its
setting of rugged mountains. But the
artist who could conceive out of his
own imagination anything SO wonder
full as this painting might be forgiven
infidelity.
49, One sees in THE Head Of Loeb
Marine all unSpOlled lake IN the
heart of Scotland. The time Is morn
ing, 2 o'clock. Overhead the moon is
just breaking through bank of
clouds. most faithfully portrayed. To
the left, upon gradually rising slope
is "a group of pines, misshapen and dis
ton ed by bleak winter winds. In the
foreground is stag, inquisitorial and
alert The whole atmosphere of the
piCLare is that OF action suspended, of
,the silent, mysterious night. Some