Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-10

fourth. Air has found its way here. The
painter, Boucher, was a prix de Rome man.
At twenty his pictures brought good prices.
In 1855 he was made inspector OF the Gobe-
lins and later upon Van Loo's death, he
became first painter to the king. He was
great court favorite, something of a profit
gate, but a good engraver and accomplished
brushman. His art took on the spirit of the
time-it was frivolous, but clever. OF recent
years it has rather returned to apprecia-
ton.
In Paris not long ago single canvas by
Boucher brought S61 900: and a Fragonard
at q famous sale last fall was bid up to
92,400. The interest in the panel in the
Clark collection centers in it's decorative eff
feet. Subjectively it is curiously magma
tive. Four hearty young cherubs have
camped on the edge of hill and are maxi
ing merry over cage of doves The sky
is partly overcast, and in the distance.
agreeably situated, is a castle. The conf
position carries with it little significance,
but its crisp handling and fresh color atone
for lack of thought. 1t may not be a great
work of art, but it is an excellent decora-
ton and typical example of its period
An interesting contrast are two paintings
have been hung almost Immediately to the
right. One represents a working woman
in white dress standing by a barrel. and
the other is a still-life-a table covered
with a white cloth, on which are some
crooks and vegetables-a cat on the floor
tapping milk from a saucer, an DID, worn
broom, standing neglected in the corner
all essentially commonplace, serious, I'M
compromising, and yet artiStically inter
preted. No wonder that in such day
amid the riot of mad merriment Chardin
passed unnoticed and unappreciated. Rare
ly will one come across franker realism,
more honesty of purpose, a keener COM
prehension of art values His canvases
suggest Vollon's, but are more reticent and
little less forceful.
Works by the 'Little Dutchmen"
AnSunusual feature of this collection and
one which should give it weight is it's rich
ness in works by the so-called Little
Observation-Disclosures in a measure of
Rembrandt who, while accomplishing good
work. never attained to the stature of their
master. Conspicuous among these is Ger
ard Dou, two of whose paintings find inter-
esting inclusion. One is little portrait of
an old man, marvelously well rendered, and
the other in a genre-an old woman and a
little lad in a garnet chamber-painted with
much nicely of feeling. There IS a delight
full little brown, toneful landscape by Cuyp,
who has been called the Dutch Claude
and an exquisite little marine by Willem
Van der Velde, a sailor-painter, whose tai
ents so recommended him to his nation
that the states of Holland placed small
vessel at his disposal, from which he nigh.
witness the sea-fghts. There is also a fine
interior by Van Ostade the favorite pupil
of Frans Halls; Wouwerman. Metsu and
a Van Goyen. The Flemish school is rep
resented by Rubens and Teniers, the Ger
man. by a remarkable portrait attributed
to Hclbein.
or the modern works description has been
previously given, but attention may with
propriety be called to the beautiful Corot
which centers the west wall 1t is most
characteristic example and sets forth the
painter at his best. 1t is full of air and
subtle sentiment-gray and yet joyous-low-
toned elusive and at the same time both
conservative ard strong. There is also a
Daubigny of special note-two, In fact, but
one uncommonly worthy; several Troyons,
a Fromentin, Ziem and Diaz well above
the average. Breton's La Fin du Travail
Is here. and Evening by Mauve.
Trial of Catherine of Arragon.
The Trial of Catherine of Arragon before
Henry VIII and Lord Wolsey," which Sena-
tor Clark purchased some years ago directly
from Edwin A. Abbey, the painter, still oc-
crpies d commanding position on the north
wall, and dominates by its briliancy of
color its environment.
What America needs today are examples
of the worlds masterpieces-not that
her students may initiate, but rather learn
ION them. We have excellent art schools,
abundant ability, fresh themes and the
courage of our convictions, but We have not
a knowledge of the best. Our government
r.akes no effort to foster the art of our peo-
pie. We have no national gallery of art no
national school. and little national patron
age. For these benefits and stimulus we arc
obliged to look, therefore, to our private
collections, and to their credit. be 1t said.
they are not unresponsive To have such q
collection of paintings as that now on view
at the Corcoran gallery accessible TO the
public is boon not to be underestimated.
LEILA MECHLIN.