Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-11

in this country. Their standard is very
high and the artists generally consider 1t
an honor to exhibit in them. Undoubted-
ly the generous prize award and the wise
and liberal policy of the Corcoran Gal
lery In making purchases have had much
to do with. their success.
1--WE very interesting paintings by
artists of the modern French school
have been loaned to the Corcoran Gallery
by Arthur B. Emmons of this city.
Three are works by Monet. two are by
Renoir. The Monets have been hung In a
group in the little corner gallery at the
southeast end Of the building. One was
painted in 81. another in "a, and the
third in 1903. They are all very charac-
teristic examples and peculiarly inter-
esting. Both Of those painted in the
eighties are coast scenes. The earlier Of
the two is very subtle, q delicate green in
tone. and particularly atmospheric. The
latter is more varied in color. holder and
franker in effect. The most recent Of the
three Is presumably q transcription Of a
twilight effect on the Seine in Paris. At
first it appears to be nothing but a blur
of blush mist, then gradually one dis
Germs a bridge, a stream and a city be-
yond. Instead Of being in monotint it is
found to be full of color, fairly opalescent
and at the same time luminous. This is
French impressionism at Its best-scien-
tific, sane and yet essentially artistic
an acute Interpretation Of transient. in
tangible effect.
-
THE Renoirs, which are hung in an
adjoining gallery-that given up to
French paintings exclusively-are at
tractive though quite in a different strain.
Both are summer pictures of hillsides
thickly grown with soft long grass. Over
the shoulder of one Of the hills two little
patches of blue sea are seen, and under
the protecting ridge of another a little
house comfortably nestles. There is
something familiar and intimate about
both-as If one had known or been as
ISOLATED in some way with these very
places. Walter Pach. in an article on
this painter. published in the May num-
Der Of Scribners Magazine. says:
Ito have attained the famous three
score years and ten, and be producing
work which surpasses that OF his youth
and middle age, to have seen the public
change in its attitude from hostility to
homage, to be one Of the bestowed Of
living painters, is the lot Of Pierre Au-
guste RenOtr."
A portion of this article takes the form
of an interview. and therein Renoir is
quoted as saying: Nowadays they the
public want to explain everything. But
If they could explain picture It wouldn' t
be art. Shall I tell you what / think
are the two qualities of work of art?
1t must be indescribable and it must be
inimita ble." Also, THE work Of art must
seize upon you. wrap you up in itself. car
ry you away" And again, "CeZanne was
a great artist, g. great man. a great
searcher. We are In a period Of searchers
rather than creators"
M. Renoir Also relates an instance
where a we'll fntentioned art nafron was
led as+rav hv annivinr h,s;ne e. ro om
to dealings in art A French merchant,
wishing to have his wife's portrait paint
ed. looked through the catalogue. of the
Salon and selected the painter who APP
Der of medals-just. he said, as he would
have done in buying his chocolate. When
the result was not satisfactory. he
claimed that there was no other course
open to him, for had he gone to one less