Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-02
A R T N O T E s.

The annual exhibition Of work by stu
dents of the Corcoran School of Art opened
with the customary private view on Thurs
day evening. 1t is smaller than In past
seasons. owing to the decree Of the board
of trustees that the competitors for the
gold medal submit but four drawings each,
and that no other pupil should be repre-
scented by more than two, but for-the
same reason 1t attains higher standard.
The work shown Is the best work done
during the past year and has been care
fully selected by the instructors and by
disinterested outside jury. AS the cur
rent art of the present day Is judged
by the selected works shown in exhibitions,
SO the progress of school must be esti-
mated by it's most successful productions.
That there has been progress made in the
Corcoran School during the past twelve
months none can doubt who remember
last years exhibition and will compare 1t
with the present one. Not that the work
shown then was not good but that this
is better. There is little more feeling
for effect, a little less rawness and a
clearer appreciation of values observable
gained, moreover, without expense to good
| construction and firm modelling. Perhaps
there might be more virilty, more force
and individuality. but these attributes M
voive the personal equation and are beyond
school cannot make an artist. Art is
something more than good drawing and
fair brush work, unless the student has
1t within himself. no amount OF teaching
will be of permanent avail But some
talent develops slowly and geniuseS are
few. An art school is Ia measure an
experimental station-a primary grade,
wherein the fundamentals are mastered,
the strength tried. The business of an art
school is to supply equipment, to build
for the students a firm foundation. 70 give
them first principles and nigh Ideals, ana
this the Corcoran School apparently is DO
ing. =. 49,
All the work this year Is shown In the
henicycle and the school room opposite,
and is agreeably set forth. Inc orawlhss
entered in competition for the gold ana
bronze medals have been given prominent
nIaee on the semicircular wall and are nat
uraIIy of chief interest. There were ten
competitors, eacn supnitlins amo o@"
Some of these drawings were admirable
some not so good, but collectively tney snow
careful consideration and thoughtful eHort.
4 little too much effort in some ms stances
an overplus of needless work-with timldity
engendered by undertaking In others. Par
adoxically speaking, these are, however,
good faults, for the student should not De
oyerwse or impatient of labor.
To the right and left of these groups
hang the works in oils OF the portrait,
draped model and still life classes, and in
nothing is the years progress more to be re-
marked There are some good heads to the
credit of the portrait class, some excellent
figures set forth by members of the draped
life and many truthful interpretations OF
commonplace objects rendered by the
students in what Is adjudged the least adj
yanced grade "A cabbage ana copper ket-
tie group of pewter vessels an Ola man
and a young woman have round eQually
faithful and sympathetic rendition. II Is
not the thing painted which apparently has
absorbed the students attention. but the
painting itself. There has been no at
tempt or almost none, to make pictures,
and yet in seeking truth they have FOUND
quite frequently pictorial expression.
The work OF the water color class occu-
pies as usual. the fiat wall Of the hemi-
cycle and through forty examples makes
a brave showing. 1t is harder for a stu
dent to attain good results through this me-
dunn than any ether owing to the necessity
for direst expression. ard yet many or
these paintings may be truly said 10 APP
proaeh in merit q professional standard
The flowers transcribed are not stereotyped,
nor are the still life groups commonplace
each has its own vitality, Its own signih-
canoe and individual charm. There Is dam
ger In thesbroad. wet method of water color
chiefly employed Of becoming befog9ed-of
sacrificing drawing to effect and terseness
(which is the mediums first prerogaffvel to-
hazy values, But this Is not essential Some
of the work shown does display structural
weakness, but much of Utmost of 1t, In
deed-exhibits clever craftsmanship as well
as good brushwork. 1t Is simple and yet
at the same time studted-not overbold, but
intelligent.
The exhibit made by the antique class is
also most commendable, and as this in
cludes the work OF the beginners, one looks
to ii for the future promise OF the school.
The average Of merit Is high. but the work
is thoroughly academic. The drawings are
clear cut the shadows simple. the planes
well remarked and the textures skillfully
rendered.
Progress is likewise to be noted in the
portrait studies in black and white. many
az xui,jph are ex ceejingly attractive both
through manner OF handling and point Of
likeness. The work of the composition class
is however. less satisfactory. In some In
stances it shows magma ton and a feeling
for efrert. hut more often it is cropping and
inclined to be clumsy. This ts of course not
finished work and was intended chiefly for
the development of confidence and thought
on the part Of the pupils, but 1t requires a
certain kind Of facility. which every one
does not possess.
The Jury OF award was composed this