Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13
Temporary Exhibit Places.

temporarily, TIE harriet Lane johnston
collection was placed on view in the re-
modelled lecture hall of the old National
Museum. Through the courtesy of the
trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art
the Evans collection was exhibited in the
atrium OF that institution.
Obviously. however, such an arrange
rent could not continue. After two years
had passed the Evans collection had
been increased to nearly twice it's origi-
nal size and the Corcoran Galley had
been obliged to ask its removal because
of lack of wall space to set forth it's own
exhibits.
Congress took no action and the prob
lem was perplexing The solution was
the lifting up Of a provisional gallery In
the new museum building of sufficient
size to accommodate the present collec-
tons and such additions as might reason
ably b. expected within the next few
years, or until more definite conclusion
could be reached
This was the course adopted, and the
entire south hall of the new museum
has been converted into series of picture
galleries by means of screens we'll built
and skillfully placed. 1t is these. to-
gether with the halls devoted to ethno-
logical exhibits. that will be opened this
week 10 the public.
Entrance Through Basement.
The main entrance to the museum is on
the south, through the Mall, but 1t is the
entrance on the north. facing 10th street,
that will be used at present. This gives
access to the basement floor, SO the Wis
itor will be obliged to ascend one fight of
steps to view the exhibits.
There is feeling. however, of max
ing, as it were. back-door entrance.
The grave simplicity of the finish and
excellent proportions of the entrance
RI CT. a{r hal fvpr
sion.
Above stairs, likewise, there is no s,fg-
sestion of incompleteness, unless the
white walls of the upper stories may be
constructed. for everything is in place
and with an air of permanence.
The great north hall. which now con-
stitutes the National Gallery, runs from
the rotunda to the 1Oth-street facade and
Is abundantly spacious, being 165 feet in
length by at least fifty In width and
ascending TO the roof through the upper
stories. 1t is lighted from above, and
amply.
Indeed. though intended merely as tenn
Torary quarters for the national art col
Lotions, it is found exceptionally well
suited TO the purpose to which il is now
given. Delightful Is the general effcc.
md admirable are the paintings shown.
Seven Galleries Used.
There are one large and six small gal
running north and south from end to
end. Burlap has been used as wall COW
.ring dun. rich green in some of the
galleries and warm gray in others. This
IS Offset by a surbase, chair and hand
rails of gray-brown wood, dressed but
unpublished and by a touch of warm,
harmonious color In the marble mosaic
floor.
The EvanS collection, now numbering
upwards of 100 paintings. occupies the
main gallery and four Of the smaller gal
leries. The remaining space Is given over
TO the Harriet Lane Johnston collection
and other recent gifts and loans
Too much cannot be said in praise of
the arrangement which is exceptionally
fine. This and the compilation of the
catalogue have been the work of William
il. Holmes, curator of the National Gal
lery well as of the department of
anthropology.
Every pains have been taken to secure
for each exhibit the best light and the
most consenial environment, with the re-
suit that Il would be almost il not quite
impossible To better the effect. And this
is difficult task when one has many
units of varying character with which to
deal.