Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-23
Japanese Painting on
Uncut Velvet One of
COlby's Most Pleasing

One of the pleasing pictures in the
art collection at Colby college Is a
large Japanese painting on uncut
velvet which hangs in Memorial hall
over the magazine rack in the col
lege library. This picture forms one
of the choicest examples of the dis
tinctively Japanese type of painting
to be found anywhere in America.
This large Asian painting was
painted originally for the Worlds
Columbian Exposition in Chicago In
1898, where it hung in the japanese
department of the Art building. II
was at this exposition that the
American public may be said to have
discovered Japanese art, although its
distinctive beauties had long been
recognized by many connoisseurs.
At the conclusion of the exposition,
the picture was presented to Col.
Alfred e. Buck, who graduated from
Colby with the class of 1859 and
was at that time the American min
lister to Japan. For many years this
picture hung on the walls of the
American minister to Japan. For
many years this picture hung on the
walls of the American Legation in
Toxic. Col. Buck thought the picture
too large to hang on the walls OF his
in Japan, he remarked that when he
left Japan, this beautiful example Of
kind painting peculiar to the
japanese, and of a scene so typical
OF the Island Kingdom, should be-
come the property of his old college
on the banks Of the Kennebec, many
thousands of miles from the fair
land of Japan.
Colonel Bucks death occurred in
Toxic, in 1902, while he was still in
the diplomatic service of his coun-
try. The following year, Mrs. Buck
sent the large picture to Colby COL
lege ana at the commencement exer-
cises the following June. the pre-
sentation to the college Of the pic
ture was made by Mr.. r. w. Dunn, a
graduate Of the college and for M. "
years one OF the trustees who was
the brother-ip-law Of Mrs. Buck,
the painting is q marine with q
broad expanse~of sea and sky and a
few japanese jun4ts in the fore
ground. 1t Is done in low tones and
the frame, which is Of unfinished
Japanese cryptomeria, harrnonies
well with the silver grays of the
picture. The uncut velvet pictures are
painted before the velvet is taken Off
the copper wires on which 1t is
"N'SA' AAS FGlttt LIl6n looks like
a heavy corded silk. After the MIC
ture is painted the artist selects GER
tain paints in the foreground to
winch he wishes to give prominence.
and carefully cuts the silk along the
TOP OF the wires. At these places the
SILK fuffs out in a nap like ordinary
velvet, thus giving the picture an
actual perspective to those who view
Colonel Buck graduated from Colby
with the class of 1869 and after con-
siderable service as a colonel in the
Civil war. he settled down in Alabama
where he became prominent in BUSH
ness and politics. He was a. very
close friend of President Mckinley
and Mark Hanna and did active work
In supporting Mckinley for the
presidency. Colonel Buck was ap-
pointed the United States minister
to Japan in 1887 and held that posi-
ton until his death in 1902. He was
SAID to hold warmer place in the
hearts Of the Japanese people than
any other minister ever sent to that
Island Country and at his funeral.
winch was q public one, his BODY
was attended by representatives OF
the emperor, nobility and diplomatic
representatives. His body was
brought back to the United States
and now lies In Arlington Cemetery
in Washington.