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Description |
Newspaper item: "Two New Paintings. There are two paintings on exhibition at Sabel's art store on Tremont street -- one representing a scene from the Moor of Venice, and the other the redoubtable and jolly Falstaff, partaking of a flagon of ale with keen zest. They were both executed by Mrs. L. M. Openheimer, of Calvert, Tex., and reveal satisfactory evidences of a talent for reproducing Shakespearean characters. The first painting -- from Othello -- has a soft glamour almost invisibly running through it, while the colors are artistically and tastefully blended -- the figures, however, being distinctly outlined against the lighted groundwork, thus harmoniously blending shades and contracts. The scene chosen is a favorite one with both poet and painter -- the scene where the valiant Moor is recounting his many wonderful adventures on land and sea to the beautiful Desdemona and her aged sire. The maiden is in a half-recumbent, half-erect attitude, with head slightly bowed upon one slender hand, spell-bound and fascinated at the words of the eloquent Moor. She is dressed in the graceful costume of the day -- a long flowing white robe, which sinuously trails around her comely figure, while her golden locks fall negligently upon her well-rounded shoulder. The old man, her father, is habited in the loose dark gown customary at that time, and, though not as enthusiastic as his fair child over the Moor's expressive speech, is nevertheless an admiring listener. They are situated within a pillared alcove, with the waters of Venice rippling at the basement, and the dim perspective of the city in the distance. This feature of the picture is moderately well executed, though portions of the sky-coloring are somewhat blurred and a trifle indistinct -- just enough to render it imperfect. The Moor has his hand raised to give emphasis to his speech, and though appearing well at a distance, upon a close inspection it will be seen that the upraised hand is not perfectly drawn, some e of the fingers being unnaturally strained. The Moor's face being entirely in the dark, coupled with his naturally dusky complexion, there is very little expression to be observed on his countenance, taken separately, but his whole form conveys an impression of restless animation. This scene is usually to be found in any of the larger editions of Shakespeare, either colored or a steel engraving. The present work was copied from a colored plate, enlarged to suit the artists fancy. The fore shortening of the limbs of the figures is excellent, but here and there a curve is somewhat too prolonged or too sudden. The effect of the whole, however, seen at a distance is splendid. The other painting, representing the facetious and wily Falstaff seated at a table, though less pretentious than the scene of Othello, is, from an artistic view, much more delicately and creditably accomplished. Falstaff is resplendent in boots, sword and buckler, and, with head thrown slightly back, is surveying with a knowing grin the flagon of ale or 'sack,' which he is about to lift from the table. His features are drawn out in sharp relief to the general rotundity of his figure, which exhibits the prodigious paunch, which Shakespeare describes so well, to a nicety. A prepossessing female, presumably the hostess of the in at which he is sojourning, awaits his pleasure with smiling demeanor, stationed a little distance from the table. The artist has done very well in bringing out the characteristic expression of Falstaff so vividly, combining cunning, roguery and general good humor. The flesh tints, however, can not bear a too close inspection, but as oil paintings are supposed to appear to better advantage at a distance, this can well be overlooked. Both paintings possess a delicate technique and contour, nevertheless, which are readily perceived by even the casual observer, and though not the work of professional hands, are intrinsically meritorious and worthy of praise." |
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Source |
The Galveston Daily News. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 45, No. 83, Ed. 1 Saturday, July 17, 1886, Newspaper, July 17, 1886; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth463997/ : accessed January 27, 2015), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium, Abilene, Texas. |
