Evening star., 1921-12-18
The Biennial Art Exhibition.


exceptional character, due in a large
measure 10 the attendance upon the
arms conference of many distin.
guished foreigners, the biennial exhibit
Of contemporary American works of
art was opened last evening at the
Corcoran Gallery. This exhibition has
become an institution in Washington,
and is today one Of the most fully
representative art displays in this
country. Made possible by the gift OF
prize funds by, William A. Clark, it
has now been made permanent by Mr..
Clark's added generosity in providing
an endowment not merely for the
prizes themselves but for the pur.
chase Of paintings by the Corcoran
Gallery.
Critics regard the present exhibition
at the Corcoran as most promising
and encouraging sign of a wholesome
development of art in America. In
the first place. it is participated in by
an unusually large number. Again,
these exhibitors are in very many
cases painters who have not before
been nationally known, but whose
work is of high merit. Furthermore.
the prize winners are all young men,
newcomers in the field of art competi.
ton. Finally the paintings shown are
marked by a spirit Of truth which is
a refreshing reaction from the freak
compositions that have been displayed
during the past decade or so.
Washington's development toward
a national art center has been has.
tened by these exhibitions, which
have brought here artists and appre.
ciators of art from all parts Of the
country, and have biennially resulted
in accretions to the Corcoran Gallery,
becoming one Of the notable art collec.
tions Of the United States. The
trustees OF the Corcoran Gallery, in
recognition of the peculiar position of
the capital as a city Of interest to the
people Of all the states. have wisely
conducted the institution upon ma
tional rather than local lines, and with
the cooperation Of Mr.. Clark have in
these exhibitions and in other exhibits
held from time to time greatly pro.
NOTED the welfare Of artists and
stimulated the purchase Of art works
which is necessary in order to permit
sound development and wholesome
progress by the creators.
In all parts Of the country an in
terest In art is being manifested as
mover before in America. Through
travelling exhibits small cities and
towns are being brought in direct con-
tact with the best works. Millions OF
Americans are viewing and studying
paintings and sculptures who a few
years ago paid no attention to such
matters. Galleries are being founded
and endowed everywhere. Native local
talent is being encouraged and main
tanned by gifts and scholarships. Art
schools are hourishing in places
where a quarter Of century ago such
establishments would have been re-
garded as inconceivable.
An Interesting feature Of the bien
nial exhibitions at the Corcoran. in
stituted two years ago, is the refer
endun ballot upon the merits Of the
paintings, cast by the people who At
tend. Those who make no pretense at
technical criticism are encouraged to
express their views and preferences.
and the results Of these ballotings are
of real importance in furnishing a
guide to public taste and culture. It
will be interesting to observe how
closely the public judgment comedies
this year with the prize awards.