Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-24
A R T N O T E s.

The opening of the Society OF Wash
fngton Artists and the Washington Archi-
tectural Clubs annual exhibitions in the
Corcoran Gallery of Art has marked with
emphasis the present week. The artists
works occupy the hemicycle; the archi-
tects' the atrium, and both collections are
worthy of note. Monday, the day of the
private views, was the stormiest of the
season, but more than hundred persons
braved the elements and visited the gal
lery. The attendance since has been fair
and the interest we'll sustained.
The Society of Washington Artists
shows a third more canvases this year
than last. and for the first time INDUCES
in a double row of exhibits. This may
not initiate to the advantage of the in
dividual works, but it helps to make more
striking the general effect. Hence the
impression Immediately upon entering the
gallery is one of pleasure, and the visitor
starts upon his tour of inspection favor
ably prejudiced. There are undoubtedly
some notable canvases in the collection,
and upon close acquaintance many of the
more modest manifest admirable qualities
marine by Mr. Birge Harrison, which is
peculiarly characteristic and interesting
arrived too late to even find a place in
the catalogue; and through inadvertence
no mention was made in our review last
Saturday of Miss Aline Solomons excel
lent still life studies, of Miss Lesley Jack
son picturesque New England Hillside"
or of Mr.. r. l.. JohnstonS sheen II is
thought probable that this will be the last
exhibition of this character which the
Society of Washington Artists will hold
as next year the Corcoran Gallery's pro-
posed exhibition will, in a measure super
Sede it-and for this reason the committee
in charge has exerted every effort to make
II both worthy and successful. The So
ciety will not withdraw, of course or dis
organize, but simply cooperate with the
gallery and restrict itself more frankly in
the future to exhibits of local work In
the end this will. 1t is thought, be bene-
ticial, resulting eventually in the estab-
lishment of two good annual exhibitions
instead of the customary one. Our local
painters do admirable work and are able
to provide unaided from outside credit
able and interesting display. The present
exhibition will continue for two more weeks
The Architectural Clubs exhibition also
merits an additional word. 1t has been well
arranged and admirably set forth but does
not so readily manifest its interest The
introduction of the catalogue concisely ex-
plains It's purpose and importance. 1.-THE
special functions belonging to Washington
as the nations capital 1t says, land the
circumstances attending its early history
are the two factors which give a peculiar
interest to the city's present architectural
worth and to the plans made for its future
development. Now Is the critical time of
the city's growth. and the architectural
exhibit held each year by this club aims
to set before the public the best current
architectural work factor in the further
development of art. With the hope and
belief that efforts will aid In the final
90
the city of Washington fitting expression
of all that is best In this nation the sixth
annual exhibition takes its place" Surely
there could be no higher object or none in
which the sympathies of the general pub
lie should be more warmly enlisted Nor
is this chimerical fancy an idle boast.
To those who will give thought to the ex-
hbition 1t will prove both significant and
interesting. To the architect it is suggestive
and to the layman at the same time intel
ligible,
Some alterations have been made In the
arrangement of pictures in the second
American room at the Corcoran Gallery of
Art recently which have greatly enhanced
the general effect The east wall is now
given over exclusively to landscapes and
sets forth some extraordinarily interesting
examples. Bolton Jones' canvas has been
hung over Picknells s. Max Weyl's compile
ments Rangers; Mr.. Messers offsets or Is
offset by Charles II. Davis; while Charles
Melville Dewey's and Wyant's emphasize
each others merits. Each painting In style
is distinctly individual and yet all. through
tribute to a single, harmonious scheme
This adds not merely to the visitors pleas
ure. but to his opportunity for thoughtful
study and comparison. The arrangement
OF pictures IS in itself an art.
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