Harper's Bazaar 1900-01-20: Vol 33 Iss 3
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 2
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 3
HARPER’S BAZAR Wane work indheNta WING to the Academicians’ having dismantled their old building, and not having built a new one as yet, the usual spring exhibition is now being held at the Fine Arts Building, the home of rival artistic societies. One result of the loss of the spacious Academy galleries has been a much more select collection than usual; and since very few women are Academicians, and therefore entitled to a place, the women artists have been affected very noticeably, and there is but a small number spent several summers in Holland, sketching in the pea- sant cottages, where the furniture and utensils are still so old-fashioned and beautiful that the white-capped women at their domestic duties make pictures all ready to the artist’s hand. Miss McChesney had a beautiful studio in the city and a circle of interested friends, but she was so anxious to continue her artistic studies more seriously than could be been so successful. She has never yet painted a ‘‘ Ma donna,” but the ‘‘ mother and child” has had a large share of her devotion, and there is soon to be shown a very large water-color which portrays this loveliest of subjects. Miss Maria Brooks, though an English woman, has lived here so long that she must be counted amongst our own artists. She retains, however, sufficient of her early training not to be above telling a story in her pictures, or at any rate suggesting one; and if she of feminine names in the cata logue. This careful selection makes the position of those whose pictures have been hung paints a pretty girl, surrounds her head with a wreath of roses, or adds some picturesque acces- sory that andl aes the canvas a the more honorable, and of course the greatest interest cen- tres about Miss Phebe A. Bun- ker’s landscape, ‘‘October at Cedar Brook,” which has taken the Norman W. Dodge prize. This honor bas usually gone to an artist of recognized reputa- tion who has made a specially ambitious effort. Miss Bunker's name, however, is quite unfamil- iar, and the canvas is of the most modest dimensions. She tells me that this is the first time that she bas exhibited a landscape, and it is a matter of rejoicing that she has found where her rea! talent lies; for, for the past ten years, she has been a hard worker, both here and abroad, exhibiting por- traits and figures. which have brought no special recognition Lately Miss Bunker has been working out-of-doors, and with this little picture, painted at her Long Island home, has achieved success at one bound It is rather surprising to notice how few women devote them selves to landscape - painting There was a time, indeed, when more ngreeable ornament to the wall than the usual study. Miss Brooks's talents are most versa- tile. The hallway into ber studio is hung with photographs from her finished pictures, and it seems almost impossible that such a diversity of subjects could be the work of one mind. In portraiture Miss Brooks has been particularly favored by having many sitters of distinction, so that these photographs are quite a gallery of celebrities. The likeness of Bishop Potter is par ticularly strong. Another of this artist’s special talents has been given to a series of quaint pic tures of children in old-fashion- ed gowns; and these, having been widely exhibited and published in papers over and over again, are probably more widely known than any of her other work The interest in miniature paint- ing and the fine work that wo- men have done has been spoken of in these columns more than once, and this present exhibition is not lacking in portraits which are both charming and interest- flowers and sketching from na ture were considered the scope of a woman's talents; and per haps it is the natural rebellion ing. Miss Edith Sear Weir, the niece of the well-known artist J. Alden Weir, shows a marked against such limitations which makes so many cling to even a moderate success in figure-paint ing, and consider that it places them on a plane above ‘andscape painters. This, however, seems as unfortunate as erroneous, there being no doubt that landscape-painting is sadly neglected, and it is to be hoped that Miss Bunker's exumple will be followed. If as great energy is shown in studying from nature as has been given to thorough training for figure and portrait work, in a few years our women artists will probably be as strong in this field as they are now in others, “THE SINGER.”—By Letimia B. Hart. Some five years ago this same prize was given to Miss Clara T. McChesney, who, coming here from California, wes already recognized as one of our strongest women artists. Miss McChesney had always felt entirely in sym pathy with the aims of the modern Dutch school, and had “OCTOBER AT CEDAR BROOK.”—By Pucwur A. Bunker, This picture has taken the Norman W. Dodge Prize. done during the vacations that, shortly after taking the prize, she went abroad for several years’ hard work in France and Holland. She has now returned home, and has brouglit baok, amongst the scenes of peasant life, which are her favorite subjects, the portrait of Dr. Moncure D. Conway, which is now at the Academy. Dr. Conway is one of the few survivors. of the brilliant group which sur- rounded Emerson and Thoreau, and has lived for many years in London, an intimate member of the literary and artistic circle, and his conversation during the sitting was full of reminiscences of his long life. Although Dr Conway was but one of many distinguished acquaint ances, and Miss McChesney’s life abroad was rich in in- teresting as well as artistic improvement, she is quite contented to have returned to the home and friends neglected so long for the benefit of her work. However clever Dr. Conway’s portrait may be, it can- not interest the public as deeply as the studies of humble young mothers with their babies, in which this artist has * ENTOUREE DES ROSES.”—By Magia Brooks. improvement in technique over that of her work exhibited last year; and there is a most lovely likeness of a modern ‘‘ mo ther and child” signed by Mar- garet K. Spencer. Amongst the other exhibitors are Ellen Star buck, Letitia B. Hart, and Matilda Brown. ‘The Singer,” by Letitia B. Hart, has a charm and at mosphere about it which give to the slim, graceful fig ure of the girl who stands with her music in her hands a suggestion of dreamlike unreality. A touch of the im- pressionistic is thrown into t! simple composition by the imaginative treatment. DR. MONCURE D. CONWAY.—By Ciara T. MoCursney. The exhibits by women cover many subjects and many styles of work, showing that they are ready to compete with their brothers along most lines that may be suggest ed, contributing originality of thought and treatment to old and new ideas. PauLine Kine
Page 4
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 5
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 6
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 7
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 8
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 9
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 10
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 11
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 12
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 13
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 14
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 15
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 16
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 17
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 18
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 19
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.
Page 20
This page's text is still being fetched. See the page, or reload in a moment.