New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-24
Quai ROrsay Satire
Sir William Orper,'s Canvase,
Turn to CQr;cofure
From The Trl6une's European Bsrsa,

from The Tr7bnne's European Bareas
LONDON, May 10.-parliaments and
popular assemblies, Socialists, Bolshev.
lists and every other kind Of "ist" hsvs
been saying mean things about the
peace conference for many months past
The crowning retort of the dignitsria
OF tho conference should have been the
two huge paintings which they ordered
Sir William Orpen, the celebrated Brit
ish artist, to do and by which they ex-
pected to have perpetuated the wonder
Of. their work.
Well, Sir Will, m did his lob, and the
two paintings, "The Peace Conference
at the Quai d'Orsay" and "The Signing
OF the Peace in the Hall Of Mirrors at
Versailles" are now offering mute test.
mony on those gatherings ct the exhl-
bition Of the Royal Academy. But, with
an eye noted more for reality than
romance, Sir William created an iapres-
sion. which, according 70 some Of the
best British critics, will not psrpstuate
Just the kind Of memory that the peace
makers desired. Sir William, in the
opinion Of these critics. seems to be
some sort Of an "ist" himself.
For instance, says "Ths London
Times" critic: "There Is always some
thing freakish IN Sir Willhms art,
which peeps out at the most solemn
noments; and both his pictures look as
If Mr.. Keyass might have painted them,
Il he had been an artist In paint. In
the signing picture. for instancs. there
is pure caricsture in the back Of the
head Of the German who Il signing;
but he Il only part Of the general per
haps unconscious. satire. In the oaai
d'orsay picture Sir William has clearly
been delighted with the furniture, the
chandeliers, the gilt and the ailegcrieai
figure. These are splendid, glitfsrsns
and real; but the statesmen are very
amusing puppets. Clemencsau and Lloyd
George seem to be engaged IN q comic
alteration, like two ventriloquist dolls'
Wilson keeps to himself, waiting Die
turn; and go on. It is 8 most smunps
picture. but we wonder what the Big
Four think Of It."
"TEe Westminster Gazettsp Is ever
more sarcastic es tho expenss Of the
characters: "Sir William shows tWo
brilliant studies Of French intarior deco
ration with, like mushrooms In MR.
rorsd forcing bed, pysmy ststs'meH
spsouting from the lower frame. you
reverence these men - master mfp0s
There they are-recosnisabls. disnined'
safe for posterity. You dsspise them IS
triflers with humanity oh. the sym
boaism of those towering walls, sna'
puny puppst showl" .
And 1.-THE Manchester Guardian
equally dattsrinsly comments: "Ness'ne
chat the severest critics Of the press
have said about the peace conference
has been % sudaeious Is Sir Wi''sm
oEpem's pictures. rhs gildsd rocco
angels and the twirling meldsnss Oh
the palace, suecinctiy painted. tsks Up
ths main part Of the picture. hc'cihs
your attention TIL you notice. low Down
the little black figures Of the statssnen
like marionettss on 4 stage tao nc i0l
them. Then you discover with Joy tsa'
they arc marionettes Of Clemenesau
Of L5a.d George, Of Bonar Law, By
four, kansing. President Wilson and -
other dozen celebrities, with Psdsss"'
sid Just introduced at the table.