Evening star., 1915-01-09

a T the Library of Congress three
IN small but very interesting col
4A lections of prints have been
placed on exhibition recently. One con-
sists of comprehensive group of etch-
ings and drawing by the well known
Dutch etcher, Carel N. Storm Van 8
Gravesande. who was born In the year
1871, and is still living. This collec-
ton is exhibited in the southwest
pavilion, on the second floor of the
library, and is shown under the auspices
of the division of prints. Many of the
examples displayed are extremely
charming IS Gravesande had spe-
cial facility for transcribing with an
etcher's needle expanses Of water. Be-
ing a Dutchman, undoubtedly he had
always unusual opportunities for study
along this line. but even SO the result
is no less remarkable nor pleasing.
Obviously his best etchings are those
in which his story is told with the
least apparent effort and in the fewest
lines. This art of elimination is pecu-
liarly within the etcher's field. Those
who cannot be brief, direct, even subtle.
and at the same time sympathetic and
suggestive. cannot be etchers. Etching
is a particularly Individual and init
|
temperamental quality and firm grasp
of essential. significant facts.
Occasionally s Gravesande grows a
little wordy and tiresome. telling more
tnan is required for comprehension, ms
lines are a little heavy and lack at the
same time decision, he fumbleS ana re-
peats himself. But again, and % not a lns
direct. his line very sensitive. his theme
simple but pictorial. And from what In,
teresting material he has had to draw!
The coast of Holland, the meadow land'
the inland waterways. all so engaging,
each outlook a composition awaiting
transcription.
one is reminded that this was the
land of the greatest etcher known
Rembrandt-and the cradle of some or
the greatest are yet produced. AGAIN,
the observer is bound to recall in con
nection with the landscapes transcribed
by IS Gravesande those pictures painted
by Mauve, which have value far IN
excess of other works with more OBJ
vious appeal. S Gravesande's etchings
are not brilliant as were Whistlers,
nor profound as were Rembrandrs. but
they have a simple quality of charm
which in many instances go to make
them very pleasurable companions.
They are simple and genuine and not
infrequently show excellent, gentle
feeling.
The majority shown in this collection
are dry points, which places them more
among drawings than etchings. mas
much as by this process the use of acid
and successive bittings and stopping
outs is obviated largely, il not entirely,
and the labor confined chiefly to the
use of the needle. 1t is not surprising.
therefore, to discover that the etcher
was equally skillful with his pencil and
that his drawings are no less charming
than his dry points.
This gift or practice is one which
today seems almost obsolete-if not
lost art, certainly one quite generally
neglected. Yet think how much the
sketches and fine pencil drawings Of
the old masters mean--those few
which are still cherished by the great
foreign art museums! In several in
stances in this collection the same
etching is shown in more than one
state. which is interesting as indica-
tive of the etchers viewpoint and OBJ
vious intention. Sometimes he passes
from one to another to eventual sue
cess but now and then the reverse is
the order. Many a good etching has
been teased to death as many a good
painting has likewise lost it's life and
spirit at the well-meaning hands Of