Evening star., 1934-03-09

Of st. Paul's Parish. 1775-6. and an
officer In the American Revolution
which bears striking resemblance to
the Scotch painter and gives rise to
the supposition that they may have
been of the same family.
OF supreme importance artistically
are portraits Of Thomas Waties, judge
of the Court of Equity owned by Miss
Rutledge Waties of this city, and Of
Theodore Gourdin, member Of Con-
gress, 1895, a rice planter of St.
Stephens Parish, both of which are
rendered with the breadth. surety and
strength of Sargent-remarkable in
deed for water color on ivory. The
latter Is a double portrait with a
miniature Of Theodore Gourdin on
one side and of his wife (born Eliza
beth Gaillard) on the reverse side. Mrs.
Gourdin appears in frilled cap and
ruffles and is painted in quite q
different manner and style from that
of her husband. Another extremely
interesting and important work is the
miniature Of Hugh Rose, painted in
1926 and listed in the Charleston ex-
hibition catalog as INDICATED" but
lent to this exhibition by the Misses
Rutiedge.
The portrait of Alexander Baron,
M. D., holder of a medical degree
from the University Of Edinburgh,
first vice president Of the Medical So
ciety of South Carolina and for 2e
years president of the st. Andrews
Society, is particularly interesting.
setting forth strong personality and
quantity showing the sitter with his
spectacles pushed up on his forehead.
There are two copies Of this portrait,
one lent by Mrs. Herbert Dupuy OF
Pittsburgh and the other by de-
scendant, Alexander Baron whitman.
Which OF the two was included in the
Fraser Ga llery of 1857 is not known.
Here also Is portrait Of Elisha Poin-
sett. M. D., father of Joel r. Poinsett,
after whom the poinsettia was named.
Painted Members of Family.
In most instances the portraits OF
men are more interesting than those
of women, perhaps because Of a
bolder, stronger rendering, but some
of the ladies are especially charming.
Most lovely Of all perhaps Is minia-
ture of Mrs. Robert Means MARY
Hutson BarnwelD which Is said to be
a copy of one by Malbone and Is GER
tainly in the Malbone manner-very
delicate in coloring and treatment
the perfection of such a painting.
Apparently Fraser was fond Of paint
ing members of his family, for in
cluded in this exhibition are a num-
ber such, among them, of special in
terest. one of Sophia Fraser. niece Of
the artist, owned and lent by the
Metropolitan Museum of Art. Three
portraits are shown of Mrs. Samuel
Prioleau, all painted in 1918 and
owned by descendants. There is q
charming portrait of Mrs. Ralph
lizard, equally well known in Newport
and Charleston, recalling the close as
sociation in early days of these two
cities, giving rise eventually to the
establishment of a New England So
ciety of South Carolina, existent and
active today.
OF much interest is q portrait of
William Rhett, prominent in the his
tory of the Colony, renowned for his
defeat of the pirates under Stede Bon
ner, and one time vice admiral of the
South Carolina Navy, showing him in
wig or flowing curls and wearing an
armor shirt. This miniature, ac-
cording to the records, was painted by
Fraser after a pastel by one Henri
eta johnson. There is also here a
portrait Of John Rutledge, one of
South Cardinals great men-a mem
ber of the First General Congress,
1765, Governor In 1779, to whom was
given the power Of dictator in $780,
1882; q member Of the Continental
Congress, 1782-by Fraser after
Trumbull," and q portrait Of Gen.
Christopher GadSden after Peale."
Self Portrait Important.
Obviously Of supreme importance is
the portrait by Frazier painted by
hinself-a work comparable to NAL
bones seh-portrait in the Corcoran
Gallery Of Art.
Aside from the artistic interest we
find here q great assemblage Of gentle
men and ladies. who. having long