Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16

Sargent's portrait of President Will
son is now on exhibition in the Cor
coran Gallery of Art. The distinction
of the subject the fame ~ the painter
and the very unusual circumstances UNI
der which the portrait was painted
have naturally caused the greatest
amount of curiosity about this painting,
and extraordinary interest centers in it.
AS is comparatively well known. Sir
Hugh Lane purchased the right of COM
missioning Mr.. Sargent to paint por-
trait of any one he might select for
the sum of $4,000 at a popular war
benefit in London some two or three
years ago. Before he himself had made
choice Of subject he was lost on the
Lusitania. and the privilege passed to
the Dublin National Gallery. to which
his art collection was bequeathed.
1t was this Irish gallery. therefore.
that selected President Wilson. desir.
ing, it was graciously said.'"a portrait
of the greatest President of the United
States by the greatest portrait painter
of TODAY" Mr.. Sargent was in the
United States at the time the choice
was announced. and this autumn the
President consented to give him sit
tings.
The portrait, which is hung in the
place of most honor in the middle gal
lery of the series given over to Amer
lean works, Immediately opposite the
grand staircase, shows President Will
son seated in an armchair with his
face turned slightly to the right. The
expression is that of thoughtful con-
temptation rather than attention. AS
piece of painting it il skillful, even
suave:-as an Interpretation Of person
ality. it is extremely reticent-
Sargents portraits are, as rule.
- L. H~lf
but in this instance such is not the
case. II seen in general exhibition
this portrait would not force itself
upon attention; it does not dominate
this a virtue. But the public has be-
come accustomed to positive utterance
from Mr.. Sargent, and it naturally
loos for indications of strong, positive
character in the portrait of its chief
executive This, however, is distinctly
a negative portrait.
1t is a curious fact that SO skillful is
Mr.. Sargent as portrait painter that
it is quite as possible for people to dis
agree with regard to the personalities
he portrays as in real life about the
individuals. Therefore some may find
this portrait of President Wilson en-
tirely satisfactory. as portraying one
imbued with extraordinary force and
character. while to others it may seem
lacking in these qualities and decid-
eddy battling.
That it is well painted goes without
saying. A man of Mr.. Sarsents caiiber
does not do poor work-at least he
does not let it go out--for doubtless
even Mr.. Sargent sometimes has off
days. But when one compares 1t with
the best that this brilliant and dis
tinguished painter has produced one
cannot but feel shade of disappoint-
ment Perhaps, however. this may be
modified by longer acquaintance and
the passing of time. 1t is dignified
portrait. sound piece OF painting. and
viii do honor to Mr.. Sargent. to Presi-
dent Wilson and to our nation, which
both represent. when eventually it is
permanently placed in the Irish Ma
tional Gallery.
It will remain on view in the Cor
coran Gallery for one month.
Harold Macdonald has recently COM
pleted an interesting painting pfcturing
a sixteenth-century guild matchmaker.
1t is a large canvas and shows the
matchmaker, in sixteenth century cos
tune seated at table. making the
first successful watch. On the table,
which has somewhat the character of
work bench. but is of polished wood,
are various articles used by the watch
maker These are all finely painted.
The figure, as well as the details. is
well drawn and the coloring is strong
and interesting. While primarily Illus
trative and proposed for reproduction.
the picture possesses definite artistic
interest and is of kind which is not
frequently seen today. 1t was painted
as an order for Henry c. Karr, the To-
cal matchmaker.
Miss Hattie E. Bundette has just fin
ished a very attractive portrait of Ann
Andrews. the little four-year-ol
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. James N An
drews of this city. She has pictured the
little girl seated on a stone bench in a
garden, with glowing poppy bed.
green fields and blue summer sky as