Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-14
2 WELvE oil paintings and two
charcoal drawings by Carton
Moorepark constitute an ex
hibition now in progress at the
Shelby Clarke art galleries. on

hibition now in progress AT tilt
Shelby Clarke art galleries. on
G. street Mr.. Moorepark is an English
artist who has spent tho greater part OF
the winter season in America. He is
member of the National Society of Por-
trait Painters OF England. Of the Pastel
Society OF London and Of the Societe des
Artistes- Peintres Moderns Of Paris. lie
has exhibited. IT is need. In Lon
don. Paris. Munich. BRUSSELS.
so one has "A right 'ork Well
above the average fro
Without this introduction. however the
chance visitor who strayed into this local
gallery and found this strangers paint
ings on exhibition would directly know
that the artist was one of training and
attainment. There is an air of knowledge
and self-assurance born of practice and
accomplishment about Mr.. Moorepark's
works-they commend themselves ana
frankly arrest attention. Passing from
canvas TO canvas, it is found that the
average Of merit is by no means even
some very far surpass others. In some
instances he seems to have completely at
tanned his desire, to have struck pre-
cisely the note he wished; in others there
is a little evidence of fumbling and sug-
gestion of superfcia1ity not so agreeable.
One of the strongest of the portraits
shown is that of Richard II. Ewart, es-
quire, which is in truth mastery work,
full of force and character. His por-
traits of DR.. Hornaday and Prof. Henry
Fairfield Osborn are less pleasing. though
likewise vigorous. The British have for
centuries been great portrait painters,
and they are still. In any current exhiol-
ton of British art the portraits Will De
found the most interesting feature OF the
display This is largely because por-
trait painting has been appreciated and
patronized in Great Britain as it has not
been even in France and certainly not
here
We hear great deal in America Of
the portraits painted by Sargent and
Shannon. both Americans by birth. and
shown in the English exhibitions, but we
hear very little of the portraits BY Sir
James Guthrie. president OF the Royal
Scottish Academy, who is no whit less
strong and perhaps more accomplished,
or of those by the late Sir George Reid,
by William Orpen. +. A. Walton, Laura
Knight and others, any one OF which
would be found to have genuine distinc-
ton This excellence in portraiture nat
urally lends a spur to endeavor. and those
who would compete must put forth able
effort That Mr. Moorepark has both
training and gift is shown even more
his paintings. But two. unfortunately,
are shown-one of the Hon. Walter II.
Page, American ambassador to Great
Britain, and the other of young
woman whose name is not given. Both
are vigorous and significant, boldly
drawn, vet subtle in feeling and
suggestion. II has been said that an
artists true caliber can best be judged
by his play-work, for therein he has free
scope for both his talent and his imasi-
nation. Possibly the painting by Mr..
Moorepark in this exhibition. which is
entitled Miriam of Other Days" may be
regarded in this category. II the
| painter must be ranked high, for this is
an excellent piece of frank painting. The
| color scheme includes only grays. but
| there is sprightlness in the figure and
| to the work. as a whole. colorful quality.
| 1t Is an excellent Characterization. a de-
| lghtfu piece of painting.
There are some admirable passages in
the picture of young woman seated on
a sofa towing with a little dog. which In
, the catalogue is entitled 'Auf Weider-
| sehen.' but the effect all in all is less
| satisfactory. There is little picture on
\ the wall which seems too insstent--the
composition does not hold together as
| well as it should, but the face and figure
| of the young woman are charmingly rem
! dered. There is something quite indi-
! vdual about all of Mr.. Moorepark ' S
work. something very British which is
however. hard to place.
! A T the same time that these oil paint
Z ings are to be seen at the Shelby
Clarke galleries. a group of water colors
by MIR. Moorepark is being shown at Hub
| bard Memorial Hall. under the auspices
\ OF the National Geographic Society This