The sun., 1918-11-11
WAR LITHOGRAPHS
BY BELLOWS SHOWN
"Murder Of Edith Cavell' and
"Gott Strafe England" Are
Among Them.
DEEP PASSION EVIDENT
Artist Displays His Dread Of
Details--Drawing Of Feet
and Hands Defective.

n uVktH war ny utOfEo
Bellows give point TO an exhibition In
the Keppel Galleries that presents all Of
this artists Autographs to date. In
little preface TO the catalogue tho ar
fist hints that the new prints express his
feelings upon war in the abstract. but
his subjects are no concrete that most
observers will agree that Mr.. Beliows's
feelings and talents have been exercised
upon the. particular war that has occu-
pied so much OF our attention OF late.
lie says:
I'm presenting these pictures of the
tragedies OF war I wish to disclaim any
intention OF attacking a race or peo-
pie. Guilt In personal, not racial.
Against that guilty clique and all Its
tools who organized and let loose upon
innocence every diabolical device and in
zane instinct my hatred goes forth. to-
gether with my profound reverence for
the victims"
some OF the Subjects.
Some Of the subjects are: Murder OF
Edith Cavell," "Gott Strafe England"
The Germans Arrive" Belgian Farm
yard and Massacre at Dinant.' Colt
Strafe England gives us the sickening
episode OF the crucifxion of English sol-
Giers by the Germans, the "BacchanaV
Is n title bestowed upon n drunken ca
rousal. In which babies are borne aloft
on German bayonets, and the "Ciga-
rette." alas. Is one that has been stuck
derisively between the dead fingers OF
tortured female. nude.
These are the topics, II can be seen.
xx.lN ,.,t,ta H.. IT, Do All
public. and 1t liz altogether probable
that this new series of drawings would
also have been used as war propa ganda
had the war continued. whether the ar
list intended II or not. Certainly the
events are still too near to permit cold
and critical discussion OF such themes.
Mr.. Bellows Is always passionate. even
when describing n boxing match or
bali game.
He is one OF our most conspicuous ar
lists. He ard George Luks are among
the very few American painters who
deal with the topics of the day In q way
to catch the public eye. Partly owing
TO his choice Of subjects and mainly
owing TO his sledse hammer method OF
making his points. he has gained n wide
following. particularly among the young.
A he, must be placed among the lead
era OF our current school OF artists. and
as We in consequence must also be
judged by him, since every nation In
Judged by the art It produces. 1t fol-
lows that every one will keenly wish
him success. and success for sincere
artist Is not money nor temporary fame.
but permanent fame.
Fond of DasxIinE the Public.
This artists impatient manner OF
working has lead him into n liking for
the snowy rather than the profound.
He SO loves to dazzle the public that
he Is content with the establishment he
produces. Art lovers have gaped In
times past at a first sight OF master
pieces. but the masterpieces that have
held students throughout the ages have
lad in reserve plenty of matter for
thought. All has not been upon the
surface
Mr.. Bellows constitutionally breads
details He seems unable to draw
hands. feet or only after fearful effort
the head. For that reason none of the
new war pictures measures UP to the
success of the same artists earlier box
ing scene. called "A Night at Shar-
keys" where the lights are concern
trated on the bodies OF the boxers, moth
ing else counting.
No progress along this line can be
seen in tho new Autographs. The draw
ing OF the feet has often been neglected
In a cruel fashion. Clever draughts-
men Ike Forain. the Frenchman. find
1t a bore TO he always drawing feet.
but at least his Short hand abbrev.a-
lions show that he could draw them II
he wished. That is all that is neces-
sorry.
In the drawings OF nude soldiers there
ID. 1t is true. a greater accuracy In draw
ing the torso than Mr. Bellows has
hitherto shown. but in the same draw
ings his blunt pencil has again failed
with the feet and hands. There IL. II
should he said. a gain TO be noticed
In Mr. Bellows's touch. The blacks In
the new prints have a richer and moro
varied quality than in the earlier
dra wings.
Tpon the whole Mr.. Bellows must still!
he ranked among the Billy Sundays Of
art. which may or may not be a salts
factory rating 10 him. 1t Is possible that
our clamorous evangelist may be re-
when Bossuet shall have been
forgotten. but it is by no means sure.