Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-05
Forty-Four Works by Eminent
Masters Will Be on
View Here.
EXHIBITION BY MEMBERS
OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Opens Tomorrow Evening at the
Corcoran Gallery Of Art-Continues
Until Sunday, December 26.

bers of the National Associat ion of Por-
trait Painters will be opened in the
Corcoran Gallery of Art tomorrow
evening with a reception and private
view.
This exhibition, which will comprise
forty-four works by eminent artists.
will be set forth in the new gallery
above the auditorium and will inaugu-
rate it's USE 1t will continue on view
until Sunday, December Is. after which
the collection is to be shown in Chi
cago, Pittsburgh and Rochester.
The National Association of Portrait
Painters is a comparatively young or
ganization, having been in existence
only a few years. but it is strong and
really representative. This is its fifth
annual exhibition, and, as usual, was
first shown in New York, occupying,
all last month, the great Vanderbilt
gallery in the Fine Arts building. 1t
made there an impressive showing and
attracted much attention. as it is ex-
pected to do here.
Portraits possess dual interest. In
portrait the personal element is
strong, in addition to the art of the
painter. Some of the greatest paint
;ngs that were ever produced are por-
traits Raphael. Titan. Leonardo da
Vinci, Velasquez, Rubens, Van Dyck,
Durer. Holbein. Rembrandt. Halls. Rey-
noids, Raeburn, Gainsborough-not to
name all--were greatest as portrait
painters. They were great artists.
craftsmen, technicians, but they were
personality They made those they
portrayed living eharacters-individ-
ual. enismatical. personal And. what
is more, they gave to their portrayaIs
Certain dignity and distinction.
Comparable With Great Masters.
We have in our own day painters
who are worthily carrying on the ira
ditions and whose works at their best
are comparable with the works of the
great masters who are no more. The
names of two Americans instantly
come to mind-John S. Sargent and Ce-
ella Beaux. But this is not all. Will
liam NJ Chase's portraits of women in
the Metropolitan Museum, the Penn
syiVania Academy and the Museum of
the Rhode Island School of Design are
al masterpieces. Douglas Volk's por-
trait OF Felix Adler has recently been
purchased by the Metropolitan Museum
because of its mastery qualities. Ir-
wing +. Wiles' portrait of Mrs. Gilbert,
which, happily, Is included in this col
lection. ranks high. as do works by
Lydia Field Emmett and Louis Belts
1noeed. there are many. and from time
to time one and another comes into
prominence.
1t is in such exhibitions as this, Of
ferec annually by the National Associ-
alton of Portrait Painters. that the
public finds opportunity to observe cur
cotemporary movements in this divi-
sion OF arts big field. This is pri-
marfly an artists exhibition-an an
nual report. The pictures catalogued
are not chosen by a committee. but
contributed by the artists. each being
free to make his or her choice-there
is no jury, no rejection. Only those
who have attained distinction are ad-
mitted to membership. and Such, it is
supposed. are the best judges of the
merits Of their own works It is not
remarkable. therefore, that many Of
the pictures in this exhibition show
evidence Of the present drift Of CO.
temporary painting. and that the can
vases are for the most part pretty new
and unseasoned. On the whole this
may be found to add to the interest of
the exhibition, especially today, when
every one strives SO hard to be up-to-
date.
Only one painting In this exhibition
is by a painter whose career is closed.
This is an impressive picture by John
w. Alexander. a former member of the
association. as well as president Of the
National Academy of Design, who died
last May. II represents young wom-
an In the costume of a generation ago
beside whom. stretched at length, Is a
dog. II we are not mistaken this was
orieinally intended as pictorial theme
rather than a portrait and was entitled
"Other Days." but for this reason II is
none the less interesting as an example
of po-traiture.
Individuality and Distinction.
Whatever Mr.. Alexander did had in
dividuality and distinction-the dis
tinction which true artist always
finds in expression. His lines always
flowed gracefully and smoothly, his
colors were always harmonious, never
clashing nor loud. his portrayal of per-
sonality was fnvarfabl subtle, and in
effect his works never failed to be dec
oratiye- This is saying a good deal, but
these particular qualities are empha-
sized by being missed in so many of'the
modern paintings. In New York Mr..
Aiexander's painting. lent by his es-
tate, was given the place of honor, but
10 matter whererit had been hung It's
merit and charm would have been
manifest
Among American portrait painters
there is perhaps none better known
nor more highly esteemed than Irving
r. Wiles. Those who have followed the
current exhibitions in Washington for
come years will recall with pleasure his
hibited here some fifteen years ago un-
der the auspices of the Society OF
Washington Artists, and later his
charming portrait of Julia AIarlowe
which had the place OF honor in an
other local exhibition. and later still
his delightful portrait of his wife and
daughte-. At Knoedler's gallery in
New York there was one time a whole
room full Of his portraits. suave, grace
full. rich In color. full of vitality
Among the best were two of little boys
one holding on his lap a toy boat. Bot
Mr.. Wiles has never painted better
portrait than that of Mrs. Gilbert, the
distinguished actress. which is included
IN this exhibition. It lis not a recent
york. to be sure, but this does not sig
fify-such works are of perennial in
lerest.
Lydia Field Emmers portrait of a
ady included in this collection Is one
of the canyases which gave distinction
20 the show in New York and helped
TO hold the balance between experiment
tation and tradition. She, too, Is a
suaye and skiilful painter and her Dor
traits of children are especially happy
There is substantially about her
paintings as well as artistic merit
which Is very reassuring. Her brush
work is direct. but always accomplish.
Portrait Made Strong Impression.
William NJ. Chase is represented b,
2 portrait of his son. Master Roland,
and one of Mrs Clark. The former /,
bound to be'a fayorfte. for 1t is sc
Aompieteiy boyish as well as incl,
rendered. Two years ago this wa.
sbowp in the Carneoia Irs<f<ut>,. -,