Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-11-07

medium of artistic expression were
realized. The first experiments were
far from successful or satisfactory
There were those who mistook the
named fuzzy effects, produced through
incorrect focusing, artistic But
these feeble and sometimes almost
laughable beginnings have leo 10 re-
suits eminently artistic and fine. Ihey
were. as Greenough said of his much
ridiculed statue OF Washington, the
feeble struggles Of an infant art
cropping toward something unknown
and superior.
The realization and perfection OF
these ideals will be found in the
photographs now on view at the fuo-
lie Library. Not only are they pic
torial, but extremely artistic. They
truly bear witness. which is the nrst
function of photograph. But more
than this, they interpret nature ana
are to a great extent personal express
SiOnS.
The artists making these photo
graphs have had a very sound knoWl-
edge of composition and appreciation
Of the relation of light and shade.
They show themselves TO be master
craftsmen in command of their
medium and above all to possess the
artistic vision-sensitivenes to beauty
in nature, coupled with the impulse to
transmit to others through chosen
medium that which has given them
delight.
1t is amazing how, with the limita-
tions under which they have worked.
these men and women have attained
the results which are set forth. The
landscapes are not merely good COM
positions. but in many instances are
prescriptions of unusual effects OF
light and air, those two elements
which enter so largely into the beauty
of the outdoor world.
The figure studies also have in many
instances spiritual quality such as a
painter sometimes gets in his work,
but which has been thought beyond
the realm of the photographer. In
several instances there are combina-
tons of figures with landscape en-
vironment that are extraordinarily
beautiful and amazingly successful.
This work. Furthermore. comes from
all parts of the country. 1t is not
the work of a group in any one place.
1t therefore indicates a widespread
on the part of the photographers. and
what is more. an extremely diverse
but general appreciation of beauty.
For more than anything else this col
lection impresses the beholder with
the amount of loneliness in the
moonlight, Of city and country. of
waterside and roadside. God-made,
and man-made. extraordinary and
everyday occurrences. And withal.
there is an evidence Of sanity as well
as sincerity, which is reassuring and
which makes the best manifest to all.
Some of the most striking of the
examples shown are in landscape.
For example. The Path OF the
Storm" dramatic subject splendidly
rendered by Thomas o. Sheckell. and
another equally vigorous and express
oi r he
Francis o. Libby. An extremely pic
turesque composition is "On Lake
Como" by H. A Latimer. near which
is to be seen beautiful effect of
evening. CLOSING Day" Transcribed
by ]: E. Carleton. "A Road in Mex
some composition. and . nocturne.
Moonlight on the River" by Edward
Dickson. has great sublety and charm.
High Noon" by Doris Jaeger is an
astonishing transcription Of light and
an instance Of a most commonplace
L. A. Olson. on the other hand. is a
nocturne. winter picture. lamplight
twinkling through the window Of
little cottage in a friendly. happy
Three figure compositions which
especially commend themselves
through their unusual artistic merit
are THE Prelude" by Laura Gilpin.
an interior with figures very. remi-
niscent Of some Of Dewing's paint
ings. subtle and yet strong. and THE
Strollers." by John Paul Edwards.
figures on the beach beautifully en-
veloped in atmosphere and well
placed in relation to the landscape.
so-called Decoration" by Laura
Adams Armer. nude figures Of a man
and boy SO grouped as to possess
beauty in design and 50 interpreted
as to have almost classic dignity and
charm.
/; An unusually fne portrait study.
large size. 10 entitled 'Betallo
Rubino." the work of Louis F1ecken-
stein. while an ideal portrait Of
child. vital. frank and spiritual. is by
Christine Merriman.
There are about one hundred prints
in this exhibition. which. by the way.
Is sent out under the auspices Of the
American Federation Of Arts. and all
OF them attain to a high standard. 1t
IL an exhibition which every pho
tographer, whether professional or
amateur, should see and which all
who love beauty and are interested In
pictorial expression will hnd pleas
ure in. It will be on view free to
the public during the whole OF the
present month.
The Corcoran Gallery Of Art has
Just acquired through purchase a por-
trait study of a little girl by the late
Frank Duveneck, a small canvas. but
an exceedingly representative exam
Pile.
1t was to Duveneck that the inter-
national Jury of the Pan american
exposition voted a special medal OF
honor in recognition of his dis
tinguished contribution to American
art" and his is one of the names
which will undoubtedly come down to
increasing fame.
Frank Duveneck was born in 1s4s
in Covington. Ky. He studied in
Academy of Munich and making rapid
progress in his art. Before he was
twentyfour he had painted the now
famous "Whistlihg Boy"
Returning TO this country some few
years later he was one Of the found
ers Of the Society of American Artists
and was considered a dangerous revo-
lutionary by the then conservative
school.
Mr.. Duveneck settled in Cincinnati
and for more than thirty years taught
n@the school connected with the Gin
cinnati Art Museum. His classes
have been the goal of aspiring young
painters and his influence thus has
been widely felt.
The Cincinnati Art Museum owns
works including not only his paint
ings. but his etchings and his draw
ings and a replica Of his mastery
work in sculpture, an exquisite full
length, recumbent figure of his young
wife. who died in 1887 in Florence
hn n "a nf he