Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-13
AT THE LIBRARY
An Interesting Collection Of
Japanese Prints.
CHINESE P AIN TIN G S
. WILL STAND CLOSE AND SPECIAL
INSPECTION.
A Mandarin Pictured From His Cradle
to His Grave-Graphic
Art.
CHINESE PAIN TIN G s

There is now on exhibition In the Library
of Congress an exceedingly interesting col
lection of Japanese prints and Chinese
paintings The northwest pavilion at the
library has recently been converted into
document room, and from it to the west
corridor have been removed seven double
cases in which old and rare American
newspapers were formerly exhibited 1t is
in these cases in their new position that
the oriental prints and paintings are shown.
Until 1863 very little interest was felt in
the art of China or Japan, in Europe or
America but since then the appreciation
for it. has been gradually increasing IN
these countries, until now the pendulum
may be said to have almost swung to the
other extreme when enthusiasts ascribe to
IT virtues and qualities which 1t does not
possess. 1t is, indeed, most often nothing
more than the preconception of these un-
real qualities which makes the art produc-
lions of these ancient countries dlSappoiht-
ing and unintelligible to the average ray
man. If one approaches japanese PRINT
in the same attitude of mind as d master
piece of painting disa appointment is newt
d BILE; but it, instead. it is remembered that
they are al best but illustrations, demon
STATIONS of a graphic ara, ana the observer
wifi look principally for rhythmical lines.
Harmonious colors and simple truths their
real meaning and value will become mani
fest.
At this time. when all eyes are turned to-
ward the east watching with grave atten-
tion the opening Of Il war between Japan
and Russia, in which possibly China also
may become involved. this exhibition at
the Library of Congress is naturally of I'M
usual interest, but asId" from the political
situation the exhibiting Of this collection is
artlstically an event OF much Importance
Approaching from the right stairway, the
first case VIII be found to contain series
Df TRentV-fouT paiutinCS silk, plctullng
the rice culture.
Painted 200 Years Ago.
These are painted by a Chinese artist
over Two hundred years ago. Each IS about
eight inches square and all matted in gold.
Tirz. silk is a rich brown with which the
colors of the paints have been made to har
monte The compositions are in many
instances quite complex, but in no case has
the paint been spread over a broad surface.
The figures. which are scarcely an inch in
hcIgh- have been painted with the most
minute care, but the landscape backgrounds
nave been little more tNau outlined with
color. For some objects such as an OK
drawing u plOw, the pigment has been used
apparently in a transparent wash as a dye,
whereas for others, u house for instance,
or a tree, it is laid on heavily, though in
a sketChy manner, with Chinese white or
other body color. The effect which this
produces is charming IN the extreme and
lie longer one examines these tiny pictures
the deeper their interest will be found. Two
hundred years seems in comparison TO the
great age of China 10 be almost within the
range of modern times. but when measured
by our own history assumes a more i'm
Pressive proportion And yet, in a sense
these old Chinese paintings are essentially
modern. They are in 4 way more realistic
and more in conformity with modern
thought than some of the European minia-
tGre and wood engraving of that same
period, They give 0T4nftic and to
Idea of the rice growers of that distant day.
and the artists mode of expression is that
of one well schooled and cultured, of one
who has learned the meaning of art as
we'll IS the use of a pictorial language.
One hundred and fifty years nearer the
present time. and very varied in style and
character. are the Chinese paintings which
occupy the next three cases. These date
back to the middle of the last century, and
are done. much after the manner of ninia-
lures on white rice paper. These are
chiefly figures with little or no pictorial
surroundings The first in order of ap-
proaCh is a series Illustrating the tea in
dustry, from the planting of the IeafeSs
bushes to the shipping Of the great pack
ing boxes pictGr, sluely labeled and Uttered
Each step IS shown and delightfully."- ex-
planned in the simplest of fashions the
chief actors in the little drama seeming
them selves 10 enjoy the parts they have
been made TO play.
Series of Life Pictures.
The next is a series Of pictures setting
forth the life of mandarin. from his birth
TO his death. Here is pictured his school
days his marriage. his fathcrhood his bust
ness life. his social pleasures and his relig-
ious cercmonials. In some of these chap
ters II a life as many as thirteen figures
the care and precision OF the daintiest mini