Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-02
VIEWS OF LANDSCAPE
Admirable Representations of
Work by Americans.
|CANVASES AT C0RC0RAN
Painters Seek New Paths, Unbound
by Tradition.
TENDENCIES OF THE PRESENT
Winter Pictures by Redfield, Scho-
field and Metcalf-Murphy's
Summer Time Admired.
TENDENCIES OF THE PRESENT

American landscape painters are ad-
mirably represented in the Corcoran Gal
1erys exhibition of contemporary Ameri-
can paintings. about one-third of the en-
tire collection which Is set forth being
made up OF their works. And this is we'll
for in no other field have American artists
made larger contribution. Passing through
the galleries of modern British, or
French, or Dutch paintings, one has to
confess that as figure and portrait paint
ers Americans are not pre-eminent, but
nowhere in the world today, unless it is
in Scotland. are such meritorious land
scapes painted as here in our own coun-
try.
1t was the landscape painters first Of
all who turned their eye upon things
which were near at hand. finding. through
art, virtue in the commonplace and ia
miliar. To Church. and Moran and Bier
stadt, who endeavored to transcribe
scenes peculiar to America and to the
men of the Hudson River School," who
We're pioneers IN this Held. all credit is
due, for largely from the seed they
sowed has come the flower of today.
Undoubtedly to France. also. great in
debtednesS must be acknowledged both
for inspiration and training but it will
be noted in this exhibition that our con-
temporary landscape painters are not
being led by tradition. but are seeking
out new paths and exercising independ-
ence of vision. And for this very reason
there are, at the present time a con-
fusng number of modes of rendition.
There are the painters whose chief end
and aim is to interpret the illusion of
light and air; there are the impressionists
who strive by the tuxtaposition of color
spots to produce an effect of vibration;
there are the tonalists who see every
thing bathed in one tint. sometimes q
golden brown. sometimes a sunny TONE
sometimes as through a glaze of amber.
and there are the realistS who. regard
less of the amenities of art seek for the
truth. and it only. 1t would have been
interesting, perhaps, If the works OF
these several schools of painters could
have been hung in groups but that they
permitted broader classification goes to
prove that. while different in form, they
are akin fundamentally
Some Contemporary Tendencies.
Take. for example, gallery b in
which are to be found works by Schofield,
Rcdfield. Carlson. Davis Metcalf, Hassam,
Foster. Tryon. Smell Dessar and Sartain,
representing majority of the several
tendencies manifested in contemporary
American landscape painting-each can
vas markedly individual. but all in a
| measure compIementing one another.
The Redfield and the Schofield are both
winter pictures and of the realist's school
They present scenes not inherently pic
torial but still lovely to look upon. The
Redfield received the first Clark prize. but
from point of execution the Schofield is by
no means less notable. Il is undoubtedly
a curious composition-a ridge of land be-
side a little rivulet lying like some sleep
ing monster across the field of vision-the
trees stripped of their foliage. and the
sky stern and cold. And yet the play of
light is charming, the air and essence of
the picture invigorating-one feels the
sting of the frost and the delight in life
which comes with a sparkling winter day.
1t is of summer that the poets sing. and
it is during the long days that city dwell
ers become acquainted with the country.
but that there is a charm in austere win
ter the American Landscape painters have
discovered and manifested.
Snow Pictures.
There are many more snow pictures in
this exhibition than one might suppose.
Mr.. Redfield sends two-"The Island" and
Laurel Road: Mr.. Schofeld three. ali
recent paintings and not before exhibited
| in America. one of which, Morning After
Snow" has been purchased by the Cor
coran Gallery for fits permanent collec-
| ton; Mr.. Willard L. Metcalf one, THE
| Snow Bearers" a painting of such bril-
liancy that 1t is worthy of more than pass
| ing note. 1t has been said that the jap
anese alone understood how to interpret
| snow. regarding it as pause and as
! the flower of winter IL this be true they
have now a rival in Mr.. Metcalf, for while
there is nothing Japanesque IN his paint
| ing it is this spirit which he has inter
| preted. The ground IS covered with a
spotless mantle and the boughs of the
sturdy evergreens droop with the weight
/ of their white burden. but clarifying all
| is the golden sunshine which falls with
full radiance upon a part of the scene
This the Japanese might not have added
| and herein when all Is said lies the con-
| summation of joy. And withal this picture
| is so frankly and simply painted-there is
no trace of effort. or self consciousness, OF
| of paint. 1t seems to have been done with
| tho utmost ease and realism, and for this
| PILES CURED IN TO IA DAYS.