The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-09-29
Clipped Here and There

Oregon has an oil painting Of Mount
Hood that was made famous 52 years
ago, when Albert Bierstadt, a strug-
Cling young artist Of Dusseldorf, came
to the Oregon country and and painted
that towering monarch of the range on
canvas that is well preserved today.
! The painting has a wonderful history
and is the property of Henrietta Fail
| ing. who came into its ownership
through an early love for art and a
close relationship with the original
ownership.
Mount Hood has from the very be-
ginning of Oregon's development been
| the sentinel Of the Cascade range. 1t
has stood before admiring eyes ever
since Lewis and Clark blazed the first
trail of western civilization. From
the days when the Indians called the
mountain Patio (snow cap) down to
the projected loop that is soon to circle
its vast domain. 1T has been the sub
iect of the poets, the inspiration for
the artists, and the glory of the trav-
eler.
When Albert BIerstadt placed this
picture upon a canvas, he did not
dream that a half century later it
would again come to the light of day
and be admired as Of old. When the
Centennial exposition was held in Phil
adelphia during 1876 Beirstadts paint
ing of Mount Hood was exhibited IN
the art galleries and Immediately
leaped into lame. Again it will be
displayed among the fine arts when the
Exposition of 1925 opens in Oregon.
This would not have been possible |
had it not been for the loving care
given the painting by one who has
loved the Oregon country and seized
the opportunity to bring the picture
back to its native heather after it had
crossed the continent twice and finally
reposed in the London studio of the
artist who produced it.
The incident leading to its present
ownership is related closely to the
building Of the city of Portland. The
picture was discovered in London after
the Centennial Celebration by the late
S. G. Reed, who with his wife was
visiting in Europe. Seeing the paint
ing in Berstadt's studio, Mr.. Reed
to Mrs. Reed that she should
make a selection of some kind to take
home to Oregon as a souvenir of the
trip. Henry Failing, who was closely
associated with the activities Of Mr..
Reed, was present. Mrs. Reed finally
said she wanted the painting of Mount
Hood. And thereupon the picture was
purchased and sent to Mr.. Reeds win 1
er home in Pasadena, although the Il
Reed family always maintained their
riginal home in Portland. '
Mr.. Failing recited the incident of
he purchase Of the painting Of Mt.
iood to his family on his return. Time
assed on. Portland continued to grow.
)regon was making progress. Finally .
he great steamboat magnate died and
Eft vast estate to his widow. Mrs.
.eed founded Reed College in memory
{ her husband and at her death the g
eed art treasures were presented to z
re college. Some of the paintings o
ere sold. Among them was Mount
ood. by Bierstadt. At this sale Hen Ii
eta Failing, remembering the story
Mount Hood and Berstadt's won
srful art as recited by her father at
le time he visited with the Reeds in v
ire and sent it to the old Failing
)me in the heart of Portland. 1t now :
.poses in the same soft gilt frame L
lat adorned it for 80 many years and
IN be seen at the Reed Art Museum, NJ
fifth and Taylor streets. u
The painting is about 4x7 in size and
ows view of the mountain from
e Washington shore of the Columbia
YER, looking southeast over Cape C.
orn and Lone Rock with Multnomah
llls in the foreground. 1t is unusual
brilliant in color and has the hazy -
so characteristic in the W
,egon twilight.-By j. E. Gratke in
e Portland Telegram