New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-04
paintings

Mr.. Joseph Pennell shows another
set of Autographs. Of munition works
this time. at the Keppel gallery. The
catalogue contains an Introduction by
II. G.. Wells, explanatory notes by the
artist-that. in one way or another
sometimes very abstract, peek az an IN
cident that occurred on the day OF the
drawing every one Of the ffty-odd
nrints Of the exhibition. Mr.. Pencil
has done the work with his usual re-
portorial fidelity and with added
Glamour of color and freedom Of Ian
guage which makes this series superior
perhaps 70 the drawings Of the Panama
Mr. Wells writes: The form and
texture of the coming things are not
vet 10 be seen in their competence ,
upon the modern battlefield. one s"ll-
low does not make a summer nor
handful of aeroplanes. tank or So q
few acres of she'll craters, and village
here and there. pounded out OF recog-
ri+ion do more than foreshadow the
snectacle of mOderniZed war on lahd'
War by these developments has become
H. monopolv of the five great INDUS
trial movers. 10 Is their alternative 10
end or evolve IL: and If they continue
~ disagree. then 10 must needs become
a spectacle of majestic horror sucn as
no man can vet mount picture or. IT.
has been wise Of Mr.. Pennel, tnereIolcf
20 make his pictures OF modern war
fare not upon the battlefield Out among
the huge industrial apparatus thaD -
thrusting behind and thrustihs up
through the war Of the gentlemen l,
spurs. lie gives rs the splehuoIs ar
immensities of forge and gunplt' IuI-
mace and mine SHAFT. lie SHOWS """
great they are and how. terrible. Ai.Iols
,bem 90 the little figures OF men,
robbed Of all dominance, rooDed OF a..
ind.vidual quality He leaves 10 Iot
,,ou IN draw the obvious conclusion that
presently. If we cannot contrlye 70 put
an end "a war. blacknesses like these
enormities ali flares and towering
threats. will follow in the track OF the
.tanks' and come tramplng over tnt
hickering confusion of mankind Anu
further on. TO end the essay the creator
OF Mr.. Drifting says of munition worAs'
"These gigantic beings, or Wnlch Ine
engineer is the master and slave are
neither benevolent nor mall gnant' 10
dav thew produce destruction, they are
slaves of the spur; tomorrow tney viii
bridge and carry and house again
There is enough in these autographs
20 have inspired this part Of the essay
and the other part, too despite ina. DC
ID true. 70 a iustihable extent, tnat MT
Wells. sometime Socialist. could nave
written il quite easily without seeli>S
the Autographs at all. But TINS may De
an unfair statement Mr.. Wells IS ME-
Wells. and each individual tints the
things ne sees with color from ms own
nalette. There are pictures that throw
of this coloring. They are works OF
sublime individuals sufficient unto
themselves: rarely receptive, some
times bigots. They push themselves
forward in their works. Mr.. PenneH IS
rather a reporter, a thoroughly well.
perhaps too thoroughly well, instructed
reporter; we think of his appreciation
and understanding Of the feats OF en-
gineers. There is title TO one OF MS
nictures 20 display the character Of ms
thinking: "ln the Jaws Of Death; Roll
ING Bars for Shells" The hrst half OF
this is suggested by the artist M him'
doubtlesslv the second by the reporter
who cannot imagine that so uninstruct-
i've title as the artiS IS would nave
anv significance, and. having none
could not possibly have value. Inc