The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-17
Memorial Exhibition of Many Works by Zorn,
Famous Etcher, Marks the Early Art Season
His Entrance on the Final
Phase of His American Glory
Celebrated.
BY HENRY M'BRIDE.

comes the Zorn Memorial Ex-
hibition of Etchings here (Kep-
pels). The funeral baked meats are
scarcely cold in Stockholm-but there
is no improperly In this rush to cele-
brate-not his death--but his entrance
upon the final phase of his American
glory. He has been so popular here
during his lifetime. his peculiar and
distinguishing traits have been so ap-
plauded and extended by us that there
would be no surprise in seeing him en-
rolled upon our list of special saints.
II We cannot in strict justice claim
him as an American son we can at
least insist that we gave him earlier
and heartier support than we are ac-
customed to give our undoubted Off
spring. In Zorn's case we carried this
favoritism so far that II is not to be
doubted that we alone are to be
thanked for the famous prices that
now are as famous as the prints. Zorn
was paid more than any other etcher
that ever lived for his plates: more
than was paid to Jimmy Whistler;
much more. naturally, than was paid
to great masters of other days such
as rembrandt or Montegna, who, poor
things. We're scarcely paid at all. And
we did this. We undoubtedly raised
the price of Zorn's. Europe comedies
praise
The contributing causes to such a
striking success-Europeans call ii
success when American dollars are alb
stracted in quantities-are many, and
Will not all be known till an astute
biographer has collected the facts But
doubtless it helped Zorn somewhat
that by nature he was not overbur-
dened with subtlety. that his outlook
upon nudes was healthy. that he had
breezy way of putting down his
strokes, and above all, that he saw
things astonishingly like a camera Gf
camera may be supposed to see).
The world is being fed in an ever in
creasing ratio upon photographs; and
human beings, especially in this Coun-
try, are no longer content to conceive
OF distant objects Sin their minds
eye but refuse to believe 1t till they
supplement. This quality Of Zorns
was not assumed in an effort to gauge
the public taste-have I not acquitted
| him of subtlety? 1t came upon him
unconsciously. He was the child of
his period, formed by it and forming
1t in return.
Portrait of Renan.
The Keppel exhibition has the "Por-
trait of Ernest Renan" in the place of
honor This plate. one OF the earliest
and most esteemed. has been held by
some to offset the charge of over-sin-
plicity which has been urged against
Zorn's mentality. One had to be subtle
TO succeed so with such rdrn dris as
Ernest Renan, 1t was felt. But that
doesn't necessarily follow. The success
of the Renan has been made with in
dividuals incapable themselves OF seeing
much besides n fat man in him. A Fat
man with force let us concede But
what would an Amiel, Sherer OF a
Joubert have said TO such delineation =?
II communication could be established
with some of Remains spiritual equals
now in the Elysan Fields some interest
ing comments upon this Interpretation
of the author OF the Life of Jesus"
might be ours. But don't misunders
stand the print will remain an exceed
lngly clever print. and Zorn's master
piece, II all the ghosts in Boston and
Paris be opposed.
In regard to the nudes. hon soft qui
NAL pense. The Memorial Exhibition
contains all the best known ones and
also two new ones. the last plates that
Zorn achieved. II is not possible 10
nor even TO print them in the news
papers. Yet the most respectable people
In the country have long since given
them the cdchet of their pocketbooks.
and apparently IL is our censors who are
TO be educated They have been ex
hibited in the Brooklyn Museum 10 the
most sensitive portion of our public with
out disaster. but critics always think II
safer to handle this particular section of
Zorn with their gloves on so to speak.
In France IL would be possible
to turn a Joke upon the subject without
belittling the money value OF the prints.
Mr.. Keppers Appreciate on.
It is fitting that this Memorial should
take place In the Keppel Galleries. since
these rooms have had their share In
fostering the Zorn cult. Mr.. David
Keppel writes word of appreciation for
the catalogue. az follows:
"The news OF Zorn's DEATH at Stock
holm. on the 22d Of August. was received
with the deepest regret by the whole
world since II was reasonable to hope
that he had still before him many years
full of triumphs Of his splendid art.
Last spring while in Stockholm was
fortunate enough to see Zorn again,
and-as II turned out-for the last time
In former years he used often to come
to America, but II was long since I had
seen him, and was particularly glad OF
the chance TO do so. No one could help
liking Zorn. There was a sort of direct
childlke simplicity about him which was
very engaging.
"He usually spent most OF his time at
Mora In Dalecarlia. In the summer he
was i'm the habit of cruising about In his
boat. painting and etching. II was In his
apartment at Stockholm, however. that
Jaw him last spring. There was girl
in a beautiful Swedish peasant costume
I'm the studio, and Zorn said to me:
This girl looks after me she reads for
me and she poses for me II feel In
clined to paint
''He asked me with tho greatest regard
about his friends In America X was
evident that ne had a real regard for
this country. He showed me his collec-
ton OF old Swedish silver. and also his
old paintings, among which were
Rembrandt and splendid Velasquez
lie also reminded me that our firm had
l. n .t.i,