Evening star., 1920-11-21

RHEIMS CATHEDRAL-SOUT IRA
NOW ON VIEW AT THE C(
An exhibition Of etchIngs by Louis
Orr 10 now to be seen at the Cor.
coran Gallery Of Art, having opened
there last Wednesday,
Mr.. Orr is an American painter
past fourteen years. He was born
in Hartford, Conn. in 1879. and
studied under Paul Laurens in Paris
In 1917 he went to Rheims, under
commission from the French govern
ment. and made three etchings OF
the cathedral, proofs of which were
presented to the National American
Red Cross. In 1918 he went to Stras-
bourg and etched a plate of the
armistice celebration. = proof OF
which was purchased by the Stras-
boufg Museum.
The French government has pur-
chased for the Calcographie du
Louvre Louvre the plate p Of his etching
Paris" This IL the first etched plate
purchased by the French government
Tor the national collection and was
secured on the mendation of M.
Guifrey. After purchasing this plate
the authorities OF the Louvre ordered
two other plates made. leaving the
choice of subject to the etcher. They
are Hotel Compass dor" and Hotel
de. Sens" both of which. with the
original purchase, are included in
this exhibition.
The French government employs
EaA nAt~
de Rome men or other honor students
to make engravinss of paintings in
the Louvre, which are issued at a
moderate price to the provincial mu-
seuns as well as sold to individuals
The trial proofs are as a rule pre-
sented to the national galleries of
other countries. A few years ago. II
will be remembered. France presented
Z large collection Of these engravings
from the Calcographie du Louvre to the
print division of our Library of Con-
gress. where it is now to be seen.
Excellent proofs Of all these plates
are to be found In the present exhibi-
tfon. They are exceptionally large
plates. measuring approximately 20x
80 inches in dimensions. But they are
admirably etched and the compost
tions are well unifed. Etchings Of
this size are very apt to present the
appearance of enlargements-to lack
spontaneity; but these prints do no.
evidence such shortcomings.
The one Of the Pont Neuf IL excep.
ito ally hne and a dramatic compost
tioh, 'howing strong contrast Of tight
and shade and a nice adjustment in
handling of broad effects and minute
detail. The highest light and the dark
est shade are well concentrated in the
~ A to- a.
at times bold and heavy and at other
times extremely sensitive and deli.
cate. The row Of houses seen above
the bridge is beautifully rendered. As
an etching admirable Craftsmanship
is displayed, ana as q pictorial print
1t ID most effective.
Near this group Of etchings. now
belonging to the Louvre and only to
be obtained hereafter through the
French government. 10 an exquisite
small etching Of the hillside Avi-
gnon." which has all the charm of the
etcher's art at it's best. and all the
Here. again. delieAcy and vifility are
combined. the hillside, with Its little
houses and buildings,. towers up
against the sky, yet takes its place
admirably in the distance and. though
measured against a wayside cross
seen in the foreground, perfectly pre-.
serves its relation OF scale.
There fs an extremely interesting
series OF eight plates from An album
sty Sessn ., 1a }or thsr in
terest and In most instances delight
fully rendered. There ID one of this
set which is Of exceptional merit
the court of q group Of old buildings.
aged and crurnhiing yet lovely Ae seei, n
exceedingly well handled. the dark
spots admirably distributed. the in.
terest of figures nicely adjusted and
the surfacs texture finely rendered.
There are two etchings Of fishing
boats on the east wall. which are
is 0ss Simply eneitisd 1nS rlssins Boats
and is a small plate; the other is
entitled 'rStes, Maries de Ia Mer" and
IL OF large dimensions
On this same wall orc seen two
Of the very large plates. the one Of
tse serAeeSs otSsr Of s.sS .st. fs" fEstienns." both
exhibiting remarkable cfaftsnhanship-
The Strasboufg print shows the ca
thedral, with all its exquisite detali,
and the end OF street VISTA strees s,
swarming with those celebrating the
of peace. The. st.
Etienne" is a beautiful portrait of
treat architectural masterpiece;
On the south wall is the hneins
series, the interior and the exteIlo,,;;
and the south side. showing II ls stiii
beautiful in it's ruins.
Above this series is a large etching
Of Belleau woods. picturing the
havoc wrought and the devastation
caused by the great battle.
Mr. Orr came to Washington TO
arrangements for tAe ex-
hibition, but was here for only
few days.
The Society Of washington Artists.
OF which william Fl. Holmes 10 presi-
dent: Miss sarah Munroe. vice presi-
dent, and Mr.. Role, secretary, mas
arranged to hold its annual exhibi.
tion in the Corcoran Gallery Of Art
erv. Tha Washfngton water Color
Club will occupy the SAzat gallery In
FebfuQfy. holding there Its annual