Evening star., 1919-04-13
'har1es Ayer Wh;tb1e
Engaged on the Bru-
) mid; Decorations.
Paintings AreDec1ared
Second to None IN the
World. but Some of
Them Have Been
Care1ess1y Treated
and Require lmmeG-
ate r estorat;o
BY H. o. BISHOP.

,
T has ever been one of the strange
and fickle characteristics Of hu-
man nature for people general
ly to go upon the assumption
that the most desirable, most beauti-
full and most worth While things of
life are always located a long, dis
tance from wherever they happen, to
be when indulging in some particular
longing.
This applies to art as we'll as any
thing else. Ask the average Washing
tonian, for instance, where. in his
opinion, the most beautiful decorative
paintings In the world are to be seen.
and nine out of ten will probably say
France and Italy. Yet, according to
we'll known and notable artists who
surely know whereof they speak, the
most beautiful art work of that kind
Is to be found, not thousands of miles
away. but here in Washington.
Charles Aver Whipple, a painter
of International reputation, bears out
the correctness of the above state
ment by saying: THE Brumidl dec
orations of the Capitol are second to
none in the whole world" Further
attestation OF this assertion was made
back In 1896. when a group OF the
worlds greatest artists were In
Washington, engaged In the decora-
tion of the Library Of Congress. They
were in the Capitol one day. studying
Brumidi's work, when one OF the
artists said: we have nothing to
equal this in the library. There is
no one today who can do such work.
The other artists present heartily
acquiesced In this conclusion.
Many similar statements have been
made in past years by authorities OF
world wide fame. 1t has been keen
source Of regret, however. among the
thousands Of American art lovers who
appreciated the beauty of Brumldfs
great work at the Capitol that In
recent years some of the paintings In
the corridors of the Senate wing OF
the building were permitted to be
carelessly treated, and in some In
stances practically ruined, possibly
through the carelessness Of unthink-
ing employees or the hurrying public,
or a. a result of the elements.
This unfortunate situation is now
being corrected in a manner that will
undoubtedly meet With the approval
of ali Americans. The governmental
authorities have fortunately been
= able to secure the services of Charles
Aver whipple to restore the damaged
paintings to their original condition..
Mr.. Whipple has already commenced
the work OF restoration. Every day.
from 8 o'clock In the morning until
In tho afternoon, this kindly look
ing man with the pleasant voice.
whose hair has become quite snowy
In appearance, can be observed stand
ing on the top Of high stepladder
palette and brush in hand. painstak-
ingly performing n service that Will
be appreciated by hundreds Of thou
sands Of visitors to the Capitol In the
years to come.
1t will be a rare treat for the next
month or two for the residents Of
washington and visitors to call at
the Capitol and have the unusual
+ privilege OF witnessing an artist OF
the caliber of MIR. Whipple at work
Mr.. Whipple is too old at the busi-
ness to permit the hurryinC throngs
in the building to in any wise dis
turb him. He gives the impressio? OF
being absolutely oblivious to their
presence.
k Il
Mr.. Whipple was born in Mossa-
chusetts in 1859. His first education
= In matters artistic was received at
Z he state normal school aud In the