The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-07
D. c. ART LOVERS
VIEW SMITH PRINTS
IN DAYTON EXHIBIT


art center! \ small one to be sure
but the recent advent Of several artists
of distinction encourages us to hopo
they may remain and bring others.
They may not find the city great
mart as yet. but they will find 1t a
pleasant place to live, with much that
is paintable and etchable in the vistas
from Monument, bridges, parks and
the stately Capitol itself. The fine
exhibits now being brought to the
Corcoran Gallery are distinct stimu-
Iants, and the graphic arts are hav-
ing a greater vogue than ever before
EtchingS have become more ana more
popular and priced.
The Dayton shop on Connecticut
avenue, is a convenient place TO stop
on a stroll up the Avenue after tea"
One can always find there charming
etchings, drawings, and Autographs.
The print Is fortunately within the
reach of a modest income, that per-
haps finds paintings prohibitive.
There is on view at present de-
lightful collection OF the ctchings and
drawings OF ]. Andre Smith, that
glimpse the fascinating places In the
wide world, from New York, Con
necticut, and Bermuda, to England
| ireland, France, and Italy.
Though an architect by profession
Mr.. Smith has devoted recent years
almost exclusively to etching and
sketching. His work shows the ready
draughtsmanship OF the architect and
appreciation OF the pictorial POSSIBLE
tiles in ordinary scenes, which we
find more often in etching than in
pther mediums. But his scenes are
far from ordinary. though he has
taken the much painted, etched, drawn
and photographed Italy for many OF
his plates.
Felt He Was Too Late
He writes that he had the horrible
feeling when he went to Venice OF
coming too late" That everyone
had been in advance OF him. He said
that Whistler was everywhere, that II
zone found anything at all worth do
! ing, there was screaming into ones
conscience a repeated protest against
stealing his pet subjects" He adds;
81 assure you It took considerable
courage TO withstand the impulse to
| flight to tell them all to &c
hang, and then settle down to see
and work in ones own private way"
These italian etchings are particu-
larry lovely. with a delicate, lacelike
rendering, reminiscent OF Whistler
but qupite independent and original
in treatment with perfection OF
| drawing.
Sunshine and Flowers" and ''Ponte
Della Verona" show the picturesque
canals and tiny bridges done with
I al F1lad fraf al NJ in
the Campo Santa Maria Formosa"
you seem to feel that sunny. dreamy
atmosphere felt nowhere as in Venice.
TIE Doorway Of the Doges" is in
heavier line. but all the elaborate, in
tricate architectural detail Is care
fully indicated. Within Is seen the
flight of steps that lead to the gor
geously frescoed rooms that you
know are beyond.
"Lisieux" is a crowded market place
where vendors with huge baskets
stand beneath spreading awnings un-
der the shadow OF the Cathedral. The
houses have those delightfully."- ir-
regular lines that are made for etch-
ers and artists, not possibly for the
comfort OF the jewellers therein. The
Market. Arezzo." and the "Amiens
Boat Market are particularly inter
esting, as is the delicate Inner Gate,
San Gimignano," a dry-point made in
| 1913, so fine and lacelike: the Gate"
| with its curious superstructure above
the narrow entrance. the whole a
| filigree-like web of exquisite lines.
His lightness OF touch SO easily
conveys the impression of sunlit
courts and a kind of joyous abandon
OF that once care-free country. His
work has a personal flavor and dis
tinction that sets It apart from most
Of the work being done today.
II one wants pictures OF scenes
nearer home. there are the "Con-
neeticut Village" the New Haven
Wharf" and the lovely Cornwall
J Bridge"-all done in 1915. the last
named-an old-fashioned covered
bridge across a pebbled stream. sun
fecked and shadOw-webbsd." the
road turning toward the village past
big farm house. They are inti-
mate beauties OF our own country. re-
vealing mastery OF the resources of
Mr.. Smiths art and his cleverness
as a landscape etcher.
Fine English Landscape.