Weir

The Metropolitan Museum in Manhattan opened a memorial exhibition of the works of the late Julian Alden Weir (who died in 1919). The catalog is arranged chronologically so that the student is enabled to trace the development of this excellent painter.

Weir received his early training in Paris, going abroad in the early 70's when only 21. Here he was much under the influence of Gerome, although he imitated his master's spirit rather than his technique. His early work represented by his famous The Idle Hour, shows the strong influence of the Paris Salon. The early paintings show an appreciation of the value of good composition and good drawing. The later work shows a strong, although humbly poetic personality expressing itself in most sure terms. The portraits, the landscapes, the still lifes are all simple and direct in treatment and are pervaded with a spirit of contentment. Weir was a comrade of Bastien-Lepage, and it is in his words about his friend that he is himself best described: "We loved Bastien for his honesty, his truth and his sincerity."