f men and women from continuing in a profession for
which they are not qualified by the possession of any rare gift.
It is to be hoped, however, that the work accepted and shown at
the St. Louis Exposition will prove that a class of women
artists has been produced in the decade just past who have at
least learned the grammar of their chosen art work--the value of
simple lines and pure tones.

The work of the women was placed side by side with that of the
men artists and where the pictures would show to the best
advantage and harmonize with the surrounding ones.

In examining for awards the merit of the work was discussed and
considered regardless of the name the canvas bore; but that this
was the better plan for exhibiting women's work leaves room for
doubt, because as a whole women's work could not be viewed,
thereby leaving the exhibition incomprehensive to the average
visitor who could not grasp the importance of woman's
contribution to the world of art by the scattered pictures as
arranged in the various galleries of the Art Building. I do not
hesitate to say that women in general by their representation at
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition derived little or no benefit
by having their work placed side by side with that of men,
chiefly because it was reduced to insignificance by the small
proportion of works exhibited. Secondly, the visiting public was
not attracted by the fact that women had a picture here and
there hanging on some one of the walls in the Palace of Art.

Had their work been collected in one gallery the display would
have been more comprehensive and better appreciated. But,
nevertheless, this exposition has emphasized the fact that woman
fills an important place in the field of art. She wields her
brush deftly, conscientiously, and her canvases fit well side by
side with those of her brother artists.

Women at the exposition excelled most in figure paintings in
oils, and in this line of work have made greater progress since
the Chicago Exposition than in any other branch of the fine
arts. The execution is bold, free, and shows a greater
familiarity with the subject portrayed, though they have reached
a very high standard in watercolor landscapes and are notably
strong in miniature painting. The innate refinement and delicate
sense of detail and c