Evening star., 1917-01-08
AWARDS
START ART DEBATE
Question Is, Shall Pictures Be
Judged on Merits or Rec
ords of Painters.
C0RC0RAN DISPLAY OPEN

OOuOOnHN OIOT Ia VI GN
II don't know anything about art
but I know what 1 like"
Good old number s. In the list of
stock bromides-everybody is familiar
with it But how about this one?
II do know something about art. and
/ know what I like" Or, making it
even stronger, II know a lot about art,
etc.
And suppose that the subscribers to
all three of these sentiments agree for
once: From comments of local artists
and art lovers, together with those
coming from the average visitor to the
present biennial midwinter exhibition
at the Corcoran Gallery. it looks as If
such an agreement might be reached
this week, for, starting today, the pub
lie is to be given a chance to express
it's opinion about the paintings, and on
the result of this opinion a prize of
5000 will be given for the most popu-
lar picture.
Report Causes Discussion.
Local artists of prominence-and
w Ndshiii5 IOu hdS SeNtTdl-IstVo Oeen
commenting freely on the current re-
port that member of the committee
on award which gave the first prize of
$4,000 and the Corcoran gold medal has
stated that the honor was bestowed
more for what the artist has done in
the past than for this particular pic
ture.
This perhaps would explain the
award. but would not excuse it." said
one Washington artist recently. "a
sprinter may be undoubtedly the fast
est man in the country, but to get the
prize in any one event he has to run
true to form. To win rifle match the
marksman must surpass his competi-
tors on that particular day. not on his
years average. / am not inclined to
think that the picture that won first
it may have been painted by the artist
capable of painting the best picture.
will be curious to see how closely pub
lie opinion agrees with artistic judg-
ment in this case"
Awards Generally Criticised.
That local art circles generally criti-
else the awards is vouched for by per-
sons who attended a meeting of the
new Arts Club last week. One painter
is quoted as saying that the award was
not only unjustif1ed. but dangerous in
that it bewildered public which at
tends exhibitions for instruction in
art. Another has declared, 1t is stated.
that instead of being the best picture
there the prize winner is about the
worst, although admitting that the
painter has done some wonderful
things. Several have said that the
award must have been made more in
recognition of what the artist has done
than for this particular work.
So much for the past. Il can't see It
at ALL" said a Washingtonian standing
opening of the exhibition; "and from
what I hear my artist friends say,
neither can some Of them"
Perhaps not now" an artist ao-
quaintance at his elbow replied. "but
in twenty years it will be appreciated
by you all"
That may be true" rejoined the lay
man who is far from ignorant on art
matters, but these winners weren't
painted for exhibitions ODE held
tered in this 1916-1917 salon and it
seems to me as IL they ought to be
julged no more by standards of the fu-
ture than by those of the past. OF
course I realize there 10 a flaw in this
reasoning, because standards don't re-
main fixed but change and improve.
know that these particular artists are
capable of submitting pictures that
should win prizes. But did theyT
Agree on Another Picture.
The two conferees, artist and laymen.
moved on and a minute later were en-
Enthusiastically agreeing over the merits
of another canvas. so the difference of
opinion could not have been entirely
fundamental.
On the other hand officials of the
gallery are backed up by other artists
in their surprise that there has been
criticism of the award. 1t was made
by a disinterested group OF the most
DISTINGUISHED artists of America, they
say, and further point out that many of
the pictures in the exhibit were not
eligible for prizes.
They maintain that all four awards
were given by the jury to the pictures.
and not to the artists. that its members
considered the most deserving.
Will Conduct Referendum.
What the public thinks will not prove
anything, but it ought to prove inter-
esting. for the knowledge and taste
and feeling of persons who are in the
habit of attending art exhibitions are
certainly above the average" said a
local artist this morning.
Beginning today, every one visiting
the gallery this week will be given a
ballot to be deposited in box that