Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-23
Notes of Art and Artists

A series of official portraits by Dana
Pond has been placed temporarily on
exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery of
Art. These portraits represent Col.
House, Gen. Bliss, Gen. Pershing, Gen.
Petain, Admiral Benson and the four
military representatives from the
United States and the allies on the
peace commission.
They are all enormous canvasses.
the single figures In each instance be-
ing presented at full length, standing.
the four military leaders being shown
in a group around small table. all
life size.
Collectively and individually they
make as pitiful a showing as could
well be imagined. The figures In each
instance are limp and characterless,
devoid of personality and without VI
exceedingly poor But perhaps this ia
to be counted to their credit. as should
any one lose it's label in future years
there would be little chance OF identl-
fication.
The destination and Anal resting
place Of this series OF omcial por-
traits has not been announced. 1t is
earnestly hoped. however. that 1t Will
not be a public gallery.
The portrait OF Col. House is per-
haps the most sorrowful. though Its
neighbor. which Is supposed to repre-
adequate. They are not merely carl
catures they are absurdities.
The group portrait shows one of the
generals seated upon the edge of the
table on which is spread a large size
map. There Is no evidence or sug-
gestion from the painting that this
gentleman has more than one leg.
though, according to report. he is not
a cripple.
As a feature adding interest to this
composition a black and white dog
has been added and is perhaps after
all the most interesting portrait pre-
scented.
In placing these portraits on public
view the Corcoran Gallery IL not in
dorsing their merit. but merely Civ:
ing the public the opportunity of
viewing the canvases and judging for
itself of their merit.
In the gallery in which the por-
traits by Dana Pond are temporarily
displayed at the Corcoran Gallery of
Art are hung two portraits by the
Scandinavian artist, Anders Zorn. of
Wallace, by Philip Laszio the Aus
t,ian painter. who was interned in
England during the war. though he
had already declared his intention of
taking out British citizenship papers,
and has, since the war. carried his in
tention into effect.
Zorn and Laszlo are two of the
greatest portrait painters of our time;
their works set q standard. as do Sar-
gents. Lavery's. Cecilia Beaux's. The
portraits Of Mr.. Hill represent Zorn
at his best. and the one in which Mr..
Hill is shown seated is an extraordi-
nary accomplishment. Here Is por-
trait VIII ch interprets personality and
character. which is full of vitality. so
splendidly rendered, that one stands
before 1t In amazement and delight. A
portrait well painted is usually more
interesting than the individual man
or woman would be, because of the art
painting IS not merely a representa-
ton, but an Interpretations. 'gs.ejfs&g.s+.sss.s
Such IL true of the Portraits by
Rembrandt. Titan. yeiasque7ss the
great British portrait painters OF two
Lawrence, Romney. Gafnsboroush. -
Laszfos portrait Of Mre. Waaiace
comes within this same category. 1t
Is remarkable subtle interpret ktien
Of complex personality, wonde rfuiIy
simple In It's rendering, marvel1Gsly
sktlffuf IN its technique. H. \
comparatively unknown painter in
competition with such masters but it
10 a great advantage to the public to
be able to make comparison.
II Il + 4
. With reference to official porffaits.
it is gratlfgins to he assured hat
through the selfrconstftuted national
art committee the National Gallery in
this city viii have 4 series Of por.
traits of military. civil and religious
leaders in the great war, painted by
the foremost artists in this country
and of type which az works of art
will uphold the highest standard
OF this committee Henry White Of
the peace com mi ssions is honorary
chairman, and Herbert Pratt, secre-
tary and treasurer. 1t has the in
dorsement Of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition. the American Federation of
Arts and of the American peace COM
mission. There win be about twenty
Ave portraits in all. and of these a
number are already completed.
Last spring the committee invited
a number of artists to go to Europe
and paint certain celebrities. and ar
m N o. O pADtS for Sjtfippa vera m q do nv