Evening star., 1919-04-13
Notes of Art and Artists.


Marion Boyd Allen shows in this ex-
hibition her interesting portrait OF
Anna v. Hyatt. the sculptor of the
Joan of Arc statue. Riverside drive.
New York. Miss Hyatt is herself rep
resented by ''yawning tiger" Brenda
Putnam of this city. daughter Of the
librarian of Congress. exhibits the
portrait Of a Russian and second
work in sculpture entitled Grand
son, formerly Of this city. exhibits a
portrait bust Of Kelly Miller, shown
last year in the veerhofr galleries.
Hobart Nichols. an erstwhole Wash
ington artist, Contributes a painting
entitled March Day." and Felicie
at 5S West 57th street. shows two
paintings. one entitled THE End of
the Day" the other The Member of
Nets Miss Howell is holding a spe-
cial exhibition of her paintings at the
present time in the Macbeth galleries.
New York
This exhibition continues until
April 81.
A stirring address was made in this
city in the assembly hall of the Red
Cross building under the auspices of
Coleman Ladd of Boston (wife of Dr.
Maynard Ladd. and well known as
sculptor), who has lately returned
from France. She described very
simply and very modestIy the ex-
tremely important and valuable work
she has been doing there making
masks for French soldiers disfigured
by wounds.
Mrs. Ladd went abroad with the
intention of driving an automobile
in the Red Cross service. but no
sooner did she land than appeal was
made for this particular work, for
which she was peculiarly fitted, both
by gift and temperament A British
sculptor was doing similar work in
England. but there was no one doing
it in France. The difficulties at first
seemed insuperable but with the ut
most ingenuity and dauntless cour-
age and determination Mrs. Ladd set
TO work. won the approval and as
sistance of the French surgeons. the
cooperation of an exceedingly skill
fu mechanic, and eventually evolved
masks so light that they could be
worn without discomfort and so per-
feet that they restored to the injured
normal appearance and spared
them from notice and remark. These
masks are of the thinest, lightest
metal and are produced by a system
of electrolysis from casts. They are.
moreover, painted with celluloid
paint, an exact imitation of the flesh.
The lips are always modelled slightly
open so that the man can smoke and
speak
OF her subjects Mrs. Ladd made
careful study. Where photographs
were obtainable she followed them
but where they were not she gave
expression to the features which
seemed in harmony with the char
anfn
tist who had given much time to por-
traiture and was peculiarly gifted
along these lines could have accom-
plished such satisfactory results.
Mrs. Ladd made seventy such masks
while in France and organized the
work under French sculptors and me-
chanics SO it can be continued as
long as 1t is needed. The touching
gratitude of the men and their fami-
lies was expressed in letters testify
ing eloQuently to the artists success
in the work. This is a use for art
sidered.
Mutilation and Disagreement were
peculiarly abhorrent to Mrs Ladd.
1t was her deep admiration for the
brave men and for France that sus-
tanned her. The work was done in an
improvised studio in the Latin quar-
ter. where for many months she lived
alone. During her evenings and on
Sundays. and especially when tho
bombardment left her studio empty.
she was able in the way Of recrea-
tion to model some little symbolic
figures and portraits expressive OF
the spirit which she saw on every
side. These were latcly shown at the
Gorham Galleries, New York. and are
now. 1t is understood, on view at
Doll & Richards, Boston.
An exhibition Of Mrs. Ladd's work
was held some years ago in the
Corcoran Gallery of Art this city.
Many Of the great estates on the
north shore Of Massachusetts, have
fountains which she has modelled.
Her art has always had a peculiarly
Joyous note.
The exhibition Of paintings and
drawings by French soldier artists
which opened in tho Corcoran Gal
1ery yesterday afternoon will be
found Of exceptional interest and
will continue until April 80. Follow
ing 1t there will probably be q show
ing of the George Lathrop Bradley
paintings, which have lately come to
the Corcoran Gallerk through be-
quest. LEILA MECHLIN.