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| THE FAVORED SWAIN - This oil painting by
Frederick Morgan, of London, was hung in Gallery 18, British Section,
at the south side of the entrance to Gallery 17, in the Art Palace at
Jackson Park. It represents a field of oats, near the borders of a
pond, out of which two mating ducks have climbed. The great
oat-stack grows as the men on its crest lay their increasing circles
of sheaves, and tramp them down into water-proof form. The
wagon-load of sheaves looks small beside the growing stack. The man
on the highest point pauses in an attitude of surprise. The lad
beside the parents sees something that announces his defeat. The
ducks take a sly look themselves, and the old folks express their
feelings to the young fellow, who points dismally at the spectacle in
the distance. This spectacle is Love, probably in its earliest
chapter, yet all unconscious of the surrounding interest and
excitement which it causes even during the critical hours of harvest.
The face of the girl is painted with a master's hand, and the
solemnity of a maiden's trust is depicted on her features. He is,
indeed, the favored swain, but he will marry a wife of resolute
mould. It is a pleasant scene, and unremitting toil has left only
the maiden fair among them. |
