| 50WESTERN ART ASSOCIATION
Commendable Progress Made By Omaha Artists in Two Years.
Some of the Things They Have Learned to Avoid - The Features of the Present Exhibit.
Two years ago the Western art association gave its first exhibition of pictures. From the standpoint of a connoisseur that exhibition was pitiably poor. From the standpoint of a thinker it was remarkable. It was in short the birth of art in Omaha. For reasons art in this case is not spelled with a capital A. Art indeed, was at that time a very scrubby infant, with no hair to speak of on its head and a tendency to look cross eyed. Since then art has developed finely. It is still an infant, but it has dispensed with the go-cart. There are not only audible articulations to be heard from it, but it actually has a few ideas of its own and the courage and ability to express them. To drop this metaphorical vein, which savors rather too much of the nursing bottle, it can be candidly said in good, uncompromising English that anyone who visited that first exhibit two years ago cannot help but feel pleasurable surprise in looking at the display of pictures which the Western art association now has hung on the walls of a commodious room on the first floor of the New York like building.
This, the second autumnal exhibit of the association, was opened last evening to the public, with an array of pictures, which, at first glance, the observer perceives to be numerically strong. The numbers on the pictures were not all adjusted, nor were the catalogues prepared. owing to delays in the arrivals of the pictures, caused by the recent severe storm. Therefore comment upon them must necessarily be superficial in this issue of the paper.
One thing, however, was apparent. There were fewer copies than of any previous exhibition. Copies there were--too many of them-- but for the most part they were hung together so that they did not masquerade as originals. It was also noticeable that a number of pictures, which had been made familiar by being hung at the last display, were again on the walls. This is really a mistake on the part of an artist, unless the work be very excellent indeed, for it should be remembered that a picture exhibit is devised to amuse the public and not the artist. And it does not amuse the public to look at an indifferent picture two seasons running.
If there is anything which the World-Herald, has reiterated with tireless patience it is the artistic benefits of looking at things and painting them as they are. These copies of copies, these plagiarisms in sky and field and pen, which bear the stamp of Switzerland, France and Holland, which artists continue to inflict upon a patriotic American public, are an insult to the appreciation of that public and a significant comment upon the absence of creative faculty in the artists who paint them. Only second to these are the ideal sketches which it has been the fashion of certain immature artists to send forth from their studies. Now, an ideality is an improvement upon nature. Humility is the handmaid of art, and the humble man would hardly venture to improve upon nature. Perhaps that is why real artists seldom idealize. For it is the novice who is arrogant and who, being unable to paint nature, paints what he can, and by calling it "ideal" condescendingly invites nature to live up to it.
It is, therefore, gratifying to observe that truth appears to have aroused more interest in the breasts of the members of the Western art association. A number of them perceive that an honest idea crudely expressed is more valuable, from an artistic standpoint, than a borrowed idea expressed with more artistic fluency - if that word may be used. It is, in short, better to express in hesitation and many pletorial stammerings a Nebraska landscape as it really is than to utter fifty Irish lakes and German peasants in calcimine blue dresses, as some other men says they are.
To learn to think and to learn to see these are quite as necessary to the artist as to learn to draw. There are a number of artists who, apparently, have not considered the last accomplishment a valuable accessory of artistic success, and on the other hand there are certain pictures in which the drawing seems to obtrude itself, as do the bones of an emaciated horse. It is very much more agreeable to say these things in a general way than in a specific one. So many of the artists of Omaha represent so much honesty of endeavor, so much sacrificial industry and truly high hope, that to speak adversely of their work, even in the kindest spirit, is anything but a pleasure.
One of the pictures most original and graphic is by Charles Craig of Colorado, or at least that appears to be the name on the canvas. It is a stretch of snow covered plains, surmounted by that vast that sky which those familiar with the plains know well. Its heavy clouds hold the promise of other snow storms and the wind, wet and cold, makes itself felt by a hundred signs. The grey air seems disturbed by it; the denuded trees that mark the invisible streams shiver under it, and in melancholy tile go a band of Indians cringing beneath it. The desolation of the scene reaches its climax in these Indians. Yet they are not obtruded on the notice. The composition, in fact, is harmonious, and so is the conception. The plains is the subject of the picture and the Indians are a feature of these plains. Their staunch little ponies, their cadaverous dogs, their gay blankets, their bare, black heads with the characteristic pose, form an excellent study. It is truth, in short. Any plainsman would pay tribute to this truth. Mr. Craig-if Craig indeed be the artist's name-is a valuable addition to the Western art association, for he is a man who sees with his own eyes and not with the eyes of some other man.
Another picture not far from this that impresses one as being honest, is a group of cows nibbling a spring meadow. This is by Borglum, the young artist, who, under the patronage of Mr. Lininger, has recently gone to Europe. The cows themselves would not recommend themselves as excellent to an animal painter, but the treatment of the meadow is bold. When a strong American sunshines on an American meadow it makes a certain shade of green that France and England seldom has. Because English and French artists are not acquainted with those greens, they naturally have not painted them. And because they have not painted them, Americans have also restrained them. Americans have also refrained from painting them. There was once an artist in Chicago, named Annie Shaw, who had the courage to paint American woods and fields as they really were. The public =, which had not the ability to observe, held its sides and laughed. But in time, some one who knew a good thing said Annie Shaw was a great artist in embryo. And so she was. But she died, poor girl! Perhaps it was her punishment for having dared top paint American greens.
Today the gallery will be quite in readiness, and no doubt Omaha will feel much interested. Certainly this exhibit deserves warm indorsement. This evening the members of the Western art association are invited to be present to meet such artists as come from other towns,. and particularly Mr. John of Chicago.
A.W. Peattie.
Entirely Too Straight.
A Preacher Removes His Children From "Saloon Supported Schools."
At the board of education last night notice was received from John A. Henderson, pastor of the Park Avenue United Presbyterian church, that he had taken his children from the tuition of the schools "which is paid for by the revenue from the legalized saloon." He explained: "I can afford to pay for the education of my children, but I cannot afford to be a partaker of the profits of the saloon business, which everyone must be who has children in the schools or who is a teacher there." The message was received with levity.
Contractor Partridge said that from what he would learn the four-room building on the high school grounds would not be built this year, and he therefore asked the return of his $100 certified check, given as his guarantee to fulfill the contract; granted.
City Treasurer Rush reported funds as follows: General, $76,061.60; sinking, $8,786.03; site and building $10,288.46.
Ex-Secretary Piper called attention to the fact that several school lots had been advertised for sale for taxes. Secretary Conoyer stated that steps had been taken toward having the taxes cancelled.
A stove was ordered placed in the high school gymnasium, as the steam heating plant cannot supply it. A report was asked on a new site for Sherman school. John Rowe was given the contract for putting in the furnaces of Walnut Hill school.
McConnell stated that it was desired to open the department of theory and practice - otherwise the normal school- next Monday, and teachers were elected. Mrs. Grace R. Sudborough was elected principal. Miss Helen L. Wyckoff and Miss Emma R. Rugh were elected training teachers. The second teacher is not to be assigned until her services are needed. The normal school will be held at Pleasant school.
Police Court Notes.
A List of Sinners Who Did Not Keep the Sabbath.
"Well, John, you've evidently had a bat tie." remarked Judge Helsley as John Welch, four yards of muslin and a strong smell of iodoform faced the bench. Welch denied the fact, although appearances were decidedly against him, and he was sent below to await the appearance of the arresting officer. Jim Francy was more candid, however, and admitted that he had tried to pulverize his opponent. and was muleted to the tune of $3 with the usual court trimmings.
Jim McCarty, a vicious looking nomad, was given thirty days in order to keep his hands off other people's property. William Dally fared a little better, his time being but fifteen days. R. Riden, who broke huge chunks out of the Sabbath peace by disorderly conduct, was asked to contribute $18.50 to the fire fund, and being unable to liquidate, was hauled to the county jail to spend days out of the cold.
What The Wicked Did.
Records of Misdeeds Which Marred Omaha's Peace Last Month.
The city jail record for the month of October shows 754 arrests. Of these 176 were drunkenness, eighty-nine for drunkenness and disorderly conduct, sixty-two for fighting, ninety-five suspicious, characters twenty for petit larceny and burglary, one for highway robbery. eight for grand larceny and the remaining for diverse other offenses.
Nine of the prisoners were under 16 years of age. Of males there were 688 and of females sixty-six. Amount of money taken from and returned to prisoners was $2,230.80. The amount of stolen property reported at station was $1,206 and the amount recovered $788, Convictions in police court numbered 338, and dismissals 421.
Muldoon's Poor Trade.
A Real Estate Investment Which Has Caused a Man's Arrest.
On October 28 Thomas Muldoon filed a complaint in police court charging R.W Frakes and his wife, Jessie Frakes, with obtaining money under false pretenses.
Muldoon said that Frakes and his wife had represented to him that they owned property in Union County, Iowa, which was clear, with the exception of a mortgage of $800. Muldoon was induced to exchange a horse, buggy and harness rod $25 in money for a deed to this property. He afterward found that Frakes had no interest whatever in the property, and made the complaint. Frakes was out of the city at the time, but when he returned last night Detective Ellis was waiting for him, and he is now confined in the city jail.
More Pensylvania Roads.
Two Short Line Companies Secure Charters to Build.
Harrisburg, Pa Nov. 10 special the state department today granted charters to two railroad companies. One is the State Line railroad company, extending from the New York and P state line near its intersection with the Genesee river, southerly to Perryville, a distance of two miles in the county of Potter. The capital of the road is $20,000.
The other is the Erie and Shenango railroad. It will be seven miles long, from a junction of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis railroad near Girard, Erie county, to a junction with the Pittsburg, Shenango and Lake Erie railroad near Cramsville and the capital is $100,00.
Again in View.
The BridgeTarriff that works Against Omaha's Trade.
The board of trade held a short meeting last evening. The question of the five cent toll which is chared on all Nebraska freight which is shipped into Iowa was brought up, and the president will appoint a special committee of five to investigate it and appeal to the interstate commerce commission if necessary. The extra charge makes a difference of 5 per cent in favor of Iowa manufacturers, and has been in force about a year and a half.
British Grain Markets.
London, Nov. 10. The Mark Lane Express says: Both the supplies of and demand for England wheats have lessened and prices are firm. In several provincial markets prices have advanced 6d. Foreign markets are steady. Arrivals of American and Indian are larger than expected and lightly weakened selling.
Corn, oats, and barley show a tendency to advance. Today English wheats were firmly held Foreign was quiet on all but the best whites, on which a 6d reduction was offered in order to effect sales. Flour is steady. Corn is 6d higher. Barley and oats are firm.
Governor Hill To Give Thanks
Albany, N.Y., Nov. 10.--[Special.]
Governor Hill has appointed Thursday, November 27, a day of thanksgiving. | 50WESTERN ART ASSOCIATION
Commendable Progress Made By Omaha Artists in Two Years.
Some of the Things They Have Learned to Avoid - The Features of the Present Exhibit.
Two years ago the Western art association gave its girst exhibition of pictures. From the standpoint of a connoisseur that exhibition was pitiably poor. From the standpoint of a thinker it was remarkable. It was in short the birth of art in Omaha. For reasons art in this case is not spelled with a capital A. Art indeed, was at that time a very vscrubby infant, with no hair to speak of on its head and a tendency to look cross eyed. Since then art has developed finely. It is still an infant, but it has dispensed with the go-cart. There are not only audible articulations to be heard from it, but it actually has a few ideas of its opwn and the courage and ability to express them. To drop this metaphorical vein, which savors rather too much of the nursing bottle, it can be candidly said in good, uncompromising English that anyone who visited that first exhibit two years ago cannot help but feel pleasurable surprise in looking at the display of pictures which the Western art association now has hung on the walls of a commodious room on the first floor of the New York like building.
This, the second autumnal exhibit of the association, was opened last evening to the public, with an array of pictures, which, at first glance, the observer perceives to be numerically strong. The numbers on the pictures were not all adjusted, nor were the catalogues prepared. owing to delays in the arrivals of the pictures, caused by the recent severestorm. Therefore comment upon them must neccessarily be superficial in this issue of the paper.
One thing, however, was apparent. There were fewer copies than of any previous exhibition. Copies there were-too many of them- but for the most part they were hung together so taht they did not masquerade as originals. It was also noticeable that a number of pictures, which had been made familiar by being hung at the last display, were again on the walls. This is really a mistake on the part of an artist, unless the work be very excellent indeed, for it should be remembered that a picture exhibit is devised to amuse the public and not the artist. And it does not amuse the public to look at an indifferent picture two seasons running.
If there is anything which the World-Herald, has reiterated with tireless patience it is the artistic benefits of looking at things and painting them as they are. These copies of copies, these plagarisms in sky and field and pen, which bear the stamp of Switzerland, France and Holland, which artists continue to infillet upon a patriotic American public, are an insult to the appreciation of that public and a significant comment upon the absence of creative faculty in the artists who paint them. Only second to these are the ideal sketches which is has been the fashion of certain immature artists to send forth from their studies. Now, an ideality is an improvement upon nature. Humility is the handmaid of art, and the humble man would hardly venture to improve upon nature. Perhaps that is why real artists seldom idealize. For it is the novice who is arrogant and who, being unable to paint nature, paints what he can, and by calling it "ideal" condescendingly invites nature to live up to it.
It is, therefore, gratifying to observe that truth appears to have aroused more interest in the breasts of the members of the Western art association. A number of them perceive that an honest idea erudely expressed is more valuable, from an artistic standpoint, than a borrowed idea expressed with more artistic fluency - if that word may be used. It is, in short, better to express in hesitation and many pletarial stammerings a Nebraska landscape as it really is than to utter fifty Irish lakes and German peasants in calcimino blue dresses, as soe other men says they are.
To learn to think and to learn to see these are quite as necessary to the artist as to learn to draw. There are a number of artists who, apparently, have not considered the last accomplishment a valuable accessory of artistic success, and on the other hand there are certain pictures in which the drawing seems to aobtrude itself, as do the bones of an emaciated horse. It is very much more agreeable to say these things in a general way than in a specific one. So many of the artists of Omaha represent so much honesty of endeavor, so much sacraficial industry and truly high hope, that to speak adversely of their work, even in the kindest spirit, is anything but a pleasure.
One of the pictures most original and graphic is by Charles Craig of Colorado, or at least that appears to be the name on the canvas. It is a stretch of snow covered plains, surmounted by that vast that sky which those familiar with the plains know well. Its heavy clouds hold the promise of other snow storms and the wind, wet and cold, makes itself felt by a hundred signs. The grey air seems disturbed by it; the denaded trees that mark the invisible streams shiver under it, and in meloncholy tile go a band of Indians cringing beneath it. The desolation of the scene reaches its elimax in these Indians. Yet they are not obtruded on the notice. The composition, in fact, is harmonious, and so is the conception. The plains is the subject of the picture and the Indians are a feature of these plains. Their staunch little ponies, their endeaverous dogs, their gay blankets, their bare, black heads with the characteristic pose, form an excellent study. It is truth, in short. Any painsman would pay tribute to this truth. Mr. Craig-if Craig indeed be the artist's name-is a valuable addition to the Western art association, for he is a man who sees with his own eyes and not with the eyes of some other man.
Another picture not far from this that impresses one as being honest, is a group of cows nibbling a spring meadow. This is by Borglym, the young artist, who, under the patronage of Mr. Lininger, has recently gone to Europe. The cows themselves would not recommend themselves as excellent to an animal painter, but the treatment of the meadow is bold. When a strong American sunshines on an American meadow it makes a certain shade of green that France and England seldom has. Because English and French artists are not acquanted with those greens, they naturally have not painted them. And because they have not painted them, Americans have also restrained them. Americans have also refrrained from painting them. There was once an artist in Chicago, named Annie Shaw, who had the courage to paint American woods and fields as they really were. The public =, which had not the ability to observe, held its sides and laughed. But in time, some one who knew a good thing said Annie Shaw was a great artist in embryo. And so she was. But she died, poor girl! Perhaps it was her punishment for having dared top paint American greens.
Today the gallery will be quite in readiness, and no doubt Omaha will feel much interested. Certainly this exhibit deserves warm indorsement. This evening the members of the Western art association are invitetd to be present to meet such artists as come from other towns,. and particularly Mr. John of Chicago.
A.W. Peattie.
Entirely Too Straight.
A Preacher Removes His Children From "Saloon Supported Schools."
At the board of education last night notice was received from John A. Henderson, pastor of the Park Avenue United Presbyterian church, that he had taken his children from the tuition of the schools "which is paid for by the revenue from the legalized salood." He explained: "I can afford to pay for the education of my children, but I cannot afford to be a partaker of the profits of the saloon business, which everyone must be who has children in the schools or who is a teacher there." There message was received with levity.
Contractor Partidge said that from what he would learn the four-room building on the high school grounds would not be built this year, and he therefore asked the return of his $100 certified check, given as his guarenteed to fulfill the contract; granted.
City Treasurer Rush reported funds as follows: General, $76,061.60; sinking, $8,786.03; site and building $10,288.46.
Ex-Secretary Piper called attention to the fact that several school lots had been advertised for sale for taxes . Secretary Conoyer stated that steps had been taken toward having the taxes cancelled.
A stove was ordered placed in the high school gymnasium, as the steam heating plant cannot supply it. A report was asked on a new site for Sherman school. John Rowe was given the contract for putting in the furnaces of Walnut Hill school.
McConnell stated that it was desired to open the department of theory and practice - otherwise the normal school- next Monday, and teachers were elected. Mrs. Grace R. Sudborough was elected principal. Miss Helen L. Wyckoff and Miss Emma R. Rugh were elected training teachers. The second teacher is not to be assigned untili her services are needed. The normal school will be held at Pleasant school.
Police Court Notes.
A List of Sinners Who Did Not Keep the Sabbath.
"Well, John, you've evidently had a bat tie." remarked Judge Helsley as John Welch, four yards of muslin and a strong smell of iodoform faced the bench. Welch denied the fact, although appearances were decidedly against him, and he was sent below to await the appearance of the arresting officer. Jim Francy was more candid, however and admitted that he had tried to pulverize his opponent. and was muleted to the tune of $3 with the usual court trimmings.
Jim McCarty, a vicious looking nomad, was given thirty days in order to keep his hands off other people's property. William Dally fared a little better, his time being but fifteen days. R. Riden, who broke huge chunks out of the Sabboth peace by disoderly conduct, was asked to contribute $18.50 to the fire funjd and being unable to liquidate, was hauled to the county jail to spend days out of the cold.
What The Wicked Did.
Records of Misdeeds Which Marred Omaha's Peace Last Month.
The city jail record for the month of October shows 754 arrests. Of these 176 were drunkenness, eighty-nine for drunkenness and disordely conduct, sixty-two for fighting, ninety-five suspicious, characters twenty for petit larceny and burglary, one for highway robbery. eight for grand larceny and the remaining for diverse other offenses.
Mine of the prisoners were uner 16 years of age. Of males there were 688 and of females sisty-six. Amount of money taken from and returned to prisoners was $2,230.80. The amount of stolen property reported at station was $1,206 and the amount recovered $788, Convictions in police court numbered 338, and dismissals 421.
Muldoons Poor Trade.
A Real Estate Investment Which Has Caused a Man's Arrest.
On October 28 Thomas Muldoon filed a complaint in police court charging R.W Frakes and his wife, Jessie Frakes, with obtaining money under false pretenses.
Muldoon said that Frakes and his wife had represented to him that they owned property in Union County, Iowa, which was clear, with the exception of a mortgate of $800. Muldoon was induced to exchange a horse, buggy and harness rod $25 in money for a deed to this property. He afterward found that Frakes had no interest whatever in the property, and made the complaint. Frakes was out of the city at the time, but when he returned last night Detective Ellis was waiting for him, and he is now confined in the city jail.
More Pensylvania Roads.
Two Short Line Companyies Secure Charters to Build.
Harrisburg, Pa Nov. 10 special the state departmened t-day grtanted chaters to two railroad companies. One is the State Line Railrod fompany. extending from the New York and P state line near its intersection with the Gensee river, southrly to perryville, a distance of two miles in the county of Potter. The capital of the road is $20,000.
The other is the Erie and Shenango railroad. It will be secen miles longl form a junciton of the New York , Chicago & St. Louis railroad neary Girard, Erie county, to a junction with the Pittsburg, shengo and lake erie railroad newar cramsill and the capital is $100,00;
Again in View
The BridgeTarriff that works Against Omaha's Trade.
The board of trade held a short meeting last evening. The questi8on of the lve cant tll which is chared on all Nebraska treight which is shipped into Iowa weas brpaght u[ and the president will appoint a special committe of five to investigate it anjd appeal to the interstate commerce commission if necessary. The extra charge makes a difference of 5 per cent in facor of Iowa manufactoriers, and has been in force about a year and a half.
British Grain Markets.
London, Nov. 10. The mark Lane Express says: Both the supplies of and demand for England wheats have lesseded and prices are firm. In several privincial markets prices have adncaved 6d. Foreign markets are steady, Arrivals of American and Indian are larger than expectwed and lightly weakened selling.
Corn, oats, and barley show a tencen to advance. Today English wheats were firmly held Foreign was quiet on all but the best whites, on which a 6d reduiton was offered in order to effect sales. Flour is steady. Corn is 6d higher. Barley and oats are firm.
Governor Hill To Give Thanks
Albany N.Y. Nov. 10. special
Governor Hill has appointed Thursday, November 27, a day of Thanksgiving. |
