Evening star., 1917-12-23

The winter exhibition of the National
Academy OF Design, which. is now In
progress in the Fine Arts Galleries
New York. Is interesting and excellent
one of the best exhibitions of CO.
temporary American painting that has
been held for some seasons. Not only
are the majority of the pictures shown
above the average In merit, but the
type Of picture is distinctly more en-
gaging. So many pictures. in recent
years. have apparently been painted
with the sole purpose OF experimental
tion. Of exploiting technique and with
little or no subjective interest. that X
began to seem as II many Of the artists
had no message and were constrained
to merely repeat words. But there is
change to be noted in this current ex-
hfbition. and inasmuch as the acad-
emy is as rule made UP of the most
not invite exhibits, 1t Is the more sig
niflcant
A portrait Of John D. Rockefeller by
Sargent occupies the place OF honor In
the great Vanderbilt Gallery-a re-
markable impersonation and brilliant
sions Of this portrait, or rather two
portraits of the same subject by Sar-
gent. both painted within the last
twelve months and in much the same
r
enough for these days. both Of these
portraits have already been copied. one
by the late Carroll Beckwith, the other
by less well known artist. and both
were. 1t Is understood. retouched by
Sargent. A well known critic has sue-
gested that in the year $500 contro-
versy may arise az to which are the
original Sargents and which the copies
But such Sargent, SO suavely painted,
so insistent with character SO direct
Il al a -.
in any century, keen delight.
On one side of the Rockefeller por-
trait has been hung landscape by
Charles H. Davis. The Legions of the
Sky" not unlike the example Of this
artists work in the Evans National
Gallery collection. On the other side
there is landscape by Ben Foster. a
very beautiful composition. showing
pine trees. thick foliaged. in the fore
ground picture painted In his much
beloved Connecticut hills.
Over the Davis landscape has been
placed little picture by Felicie Waldo
Howell. formerly Of this city. who In
the last two years has made her way
hanging Is sometimes an accident. but
not SO. It would seem, in this case.
Miss Howelrs little picture, Early
Evening: Duncan Street" stands up
bravely to the distinction for which It
was singled out 1t. too. is simple.
direct. sincere and very artistic in feel
ing It does not thrust itself upon at
tention, but 1t holds and rewards at
tention when once given. 1t and the
picture by which she is represented in
the Society Of Washington Artists cur
rent exhibition both mark distinct
step forward for this talented young
artist. Miss Howell has a second pic
ture in the academy exhibition. very
Ing in Central Park. colorful and at
tractive.
Everett Warner is admirably repre-
sented in this exhibition by painting
entitled Manhattan Contrasts" show
ing a bit of the old city with the sky
scraping towers looming high over
the house tops. This, too. has been
hung in the Vanderbilt Gallery and
ION the line" 1t has seriousness. nice
relation of tone and color values. ex-
cAlIent composition, sentiment and real
charm the charm that was always to
be found in Mr. Warmers small pic
lures, whether paintings or etchinRs,
but which did not invariably find its
way into his larger canvases.
Hobart Nichols. another erstwhile
Washington artist Is represented by a
winter picture painted presumably ir
the Vicinity Of his home in the Bronx
very well composed and nicely rendered
with subtlety and evident conviction.
The CarneFie prize went this year tc
a painting by Edward w. Redfield-
The River In Winter theme which
he has painted more than once and not
aItog ether dissimilar from that for the
painting Of which he was awarded 4
prize In one of the Corcoran GalIery's
biennial exhibitions. a very beautiful
painting, however, showing the extra
ordinary and frequently unthought OF
loveliness of the outdoor winter worl6
with all its austerfty and barrenpess.
Daniel CARRIER won the Altman prize
with painting of three boys. in ar
artificial1y lighted room, playing or
.,sntf 1.r11
In the Pennsylvania Academy OF the
Fine Arts last winter. interesting but
quite out of Mr.. Carriers usual field.
In the center gallery conspicuous
portrait OF Robert w. de Forest, presi-
dent of the American Federation oi
Arts, the Metropolitan Museum. New
York. and first vice president of the Rec
Cross. 1t shows Mr.. de Fores. seated
! and with face turned slightly to hi:
| left. The pose is rather animated ant
| the face wears characteristic hal,
| nuizzical and altogether kindly express,
| sion. A red curtain to the right ap
! parently sti2red by incoming air helpi
| to heiehten the impression of breezi
neEs.
The painting of a Woman and Child
| by Marie Danforth Page, which re
ccived the second largest number o
| coran Gallery's exhibition last winter
| is there, and in this new company still
| holds Its own as n piece of strong
| capable painting as well as an engag
] ing theme. The little child's figure i.
admirably interpreted.
Gladys Wiles. daughter of Irvinf
| Wiles. the well known portrait painter
| makes her debut In this exhibition as
| painter Of no mean gift by a portrait O.
| a young woman. very knowingly rem
| dered.
| Dimes Carlson. the talented little sol
of Emil Carlson. keeps UP his envia bl,
reputation by an excellent still lif
study.
| Charles Bittinger, who is more thai
hAH WAshingtonian and Is now servinl