Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-11-30

I is not generally known that the first
floor of the Smithsonian building is
now given over entirely. or almost
entir" to an exhibition OF graphic
arts. Beginning with tho earliest
form of picture writing, every step in. the
evolution of the book is shown There
are specimens of type and examples of
typesetting by the various mechanical
devices now in use; the method of book
binding is displayed and quito a collec-
ton Of handsome bindings of fooled and
inlaid leather is shown Finally, in a
case alone Is copy of The Book of
Jade made for j. Pierpont Morgan and
BIZ him presented to the Smithsonian In
sttution.
But this is only the introduction to the
exhibition d whole. for the greater
part is devoted to reproductive methods
of pictorial material. FIRST there arc the
wood cuts, then the cnsravings on metal
in line, stipple and mezZOtint; next comes
etching and photography and finally the
mechanical processes which have devel-
oped through the knowledge and use of
photography, such hoto-lithography
half-tone engraving and SO on. During
the past twenty years enormous strides
processes and toward developing printing
in colors. All of these are now yielding
remarkable results not merely from the
mechanical standpoint, but from the
standpoint of art. Half-tone engraving
as means Of reproduction has opened
ew and broad fields to illustrators, per-
hitting freer use of mediums and greater
latitude in manner of expression than
wood engraving, which was previously
employed
The improved methods of color printing
have opened up new worlds to those who
had no: the means o. securing paintings
vet craved pictures in color reproductions
of master works and prints possessing
real artistic merit. The exhibition in the
Smithsonian building is to illustrate each
step in the development of the graphic
ars and Will give special emphasis to
that which is most recent. AS yet only a
beginning has been made, and 1t will be
months before che arrangement is COM
plete Much of the mater al now being
shown was acquired at the time of the
centennial exposition and was classified
and arranged by Mr.. koehler, hen in
charge of this department. A good deal
Mr.. Brockett. who now has the work in
charge. Will have rich and vide field
from which to secure illustrations and ex-
, amples. The reason that the exhibit has
been dormant. AS 1t were. so many years
is on account of lack Of space. cor
ner of he National Museum was allotted
to il when the collection was installed in
what Is now known the old building.
but that was all. The department now
has IL would seem. come into it's own.
occupying what was in the original plan
purposed a gallery for art in the
Smithsonian building. 1t should be re-
membered that the National Gallery had
its inception through the graphic arts, the
first and almost the only purchase made
by the government for national art col
lection being the Marsh collection of
! prints bought in 1919 for $1,000. This
collection. which comprised both books
and prints. included in it's catalogue fine
specimens of the work of Durer REM
brandt. Marc Antonio, Nanteuil and other
famous engravers and etchers.
After the disastrous fire of 1865 it was
deposited in the Library of Congress
which still retains its custody. Thus early
the regents of the Smithsonian Institution
made record of their interest in art and
of their appreciation of the Importance
OF the graphic arts. The fact is that these