Evening star., 1917-01-07

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Ii is this week that the most popular
picture in the Corcoran Gallery's cur
rent exhibition OF cotemporary Ameri-
can paintings is to be determined by
vote. The contest opens tomorrow at
noon and will continue until the end
of the week. The object of the COM
petition is primarily to set the people
to think and to examine the paintings
with critical consideration. but the re-
suit will go to show whether or not
the public Is in sympathy with the
new forms of expressions or not
Four prizes have already been
awarded by jury of artists: Will or
will not the public indorse these
winner of the first prize? To pc sure,
there are some who will declare that
art is for the few and that popular
opinion is more or less valueless, put
the fact remains that it is the popular
voice which has since the beginning
of time determined which art shall
survive. and Furthermore, though II Is
not always conceded. great art has IN
variably been popular.
1t will not be an easy thing for any
one to decide which picture out of
more than 400 he likes best, but IL he
will ask himself which one OF the
many pictures he would like to take
home with him and keep decision
may be more readily reached. There
are n great many pictures which are
Interesting enough in an exhibition
which would not make pleasant COM
panions. Tricks of technique are
highly amusing but rarely of perma-
nent interest. 1t Is the cleverness OF
these which sometimes appeals to the
artists who recognize the difficulties
overcome and heartily applaud the per-
former. Undoubtedly an artist should
be the best judge of the merits of a
work of art, and the right-minded lay
man will yield to his Judgment; but
the popular voting contest is not to
determine merit. In the end it will
mind and taste of the people. 1t is
to be hoped that many votes will be
cast and that none visiting the exhi-
bition this coming week will fail to
so register preference.
-
The national parks exhibit which
opened in the National Museum last
Tuesday has attracted much attention
and will be continued for several
weeks. The main gallery of the ma
tional. gallery series has been given
over to this exhibit. On one side hangs
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by Albert Bierstadt. and on the oppo-
site side Thomas Mofan's impressive
painting of the Grand Canyon of the
Yellowstone. These are both gigantic
panoramic and yet we'll composed. por-
trayed as from single viewpoint.
on a third wall is to be seen Lucien
Powelrs painting of the Grand Canyon
tional Gallery of Art. along with which
are exhibited paintings of more recent
date by William Ritschel. Albert Gro1l,
Dewitt ParshalL F. Ballard Williams.
less well known men. Sydney Laurence,
a British painter, has contributed two
very interesting canvasses. The gall
lery has been beautifully hung and the
ing appearance. the works of the older
men harmonizing very agreeab1y with
those of the younger painters. Themes
are big in every instance and whether
they have been interpreted literally or i'm
pressionistically the result Is one and
the same-a painters admiration for
the great unspoiled majesty of nature.
A portion of the exhibit which could
not be placed in the central gallery
has been hung in the corridor at the
end of the series of galleries.. Here
are to be found the works of some
Of the bolder modern painters. those
who see In vivid color and find express
sion through simp1ified forms.
On the lower floor of the corridor
and rooms adjoining the auditorium
photographs and works In black and
mention should be made of the litho-
graphs Of western scenery by Birger
Sandsen of Kansas. and photographs
made in the national parks by F. P
Clatworthy of Colorado.
s.
Wednesday evening. under the aus
pices of the Washington Society of
the Fine Arts. Mrs. Edward F. Mac
Dowell. widow Of the composer. will give
Q lecture-recital in the auditorium of
the National Museum. describing the
work of the MacDoweil Association
and showing pictures of the colony's
home at Peterborough. N. H., as well
N selections Of Mr.. MaeDowelrs COM
positions This colony is unique and
comprises not only musicians. but
painters. sculptors and writer's. The
settlement consists Of a series of stu
dios. each set apart for the use of
single artist. The association owns
hve hundred acres. much of which is
woodland. and IL is among the pines
that the studios have been built.
From morning to night the artists
work undisturbed. lunch being served
In baskets in each studio. At dinner
and in the evenings members of the
colony meet and unconventional social
lie - enjoyed Thus are brought into
relationship the workers in the several
arts in a way which is most delightful.
30 that not only is artistic production
aided by the opportunities given for
isolation and lack Of friction, but q
better understanding is induced on the
part of the artists.
Among the painters who worked last
summer as members of the colony was
Miss Dixie Selden. who has made a
name Tor herself as a painter of both
IAF xIas
sculptors were Albin Polasek and