New-York tribune., 1921-10-23
A National School
,ome Pertinent Reminders of
Its Growth Here

Tbe assertion which Miss Cecilia
ssux was recently reported to have
ssde before the international Art Con
s.,s in Paris, that we had no national
| n, has already been traversed in The
fiibune. 1t was, indeed, so obviously
,sceurate q statement that there Is no
geas!on for our discussing 1t second
Line. Yet circumstances revive the
gpe. The new season is upon US
|GslleYy after gallery has opened new
aow. And repeatedly they invite at
|snsion to what Americans have been
md are doing. The spectacle pre-
lsnted in general and in detail is deeply
|ateresting. Personality, as we have
laid before, is the crucial test. A ma
onal school can only exist in any
|ru. sense through the ministrations Of
sdiyiduality. With this in mind let
lie reader stroll up Fifth Avenue and
Fsit certain exhibitions.
There is an admirably representative
ne at the Macbeth gallery, and as an
amirsbly representative painting We
sould cite from it the landscape, 1.-THE
ioden Light" by Mr. Charles H. Davis.
Onsidef, to begin with, his style. 1t
syors of no European master. We
ave seen some rather loosely handled
snyases of Rousseau among which
|Ais picture could tremendously hang.
|out that Is the most that one could say
p place Mr.. Davis in contact with the
rsneh school. AS matter al fact
would still only be an arbitrary
''htact He is really no more allied
/ nth Rousseau than with Monet. If he
A taken anything from Barbizon or
'dm the inpressionists it has been
IMPLY the fidelity to truth which &ll
9aod painters share, and with this g
ssing for light, for atmosphere. What
aieily matters is that his excellent
zaftsmanship Is saturated in person
eity. His touch is his own. He
slnts as he sees, from an absolutely
9clVldualized point of view. The ab-
sase of any external influence Is es
Pslsliy to be noted in res pect to the
'aesfance Of the picture The racy
'asraeter OF this work il unmistak-
s'a' Nobody could paint such a tran
/ H'lpf from the American scene as this
ne were not in the very grain of his
'H American.
u Is worth while to emphasize the
aa that there is in this question nc
Sus OF GREATNESS" at all. Great
sasslean painters are to be signalized
necessary. The testimony of this
'a'S Is to the intense Amer canism of
's'ufes which may not be portentous
'~''sfpieees. but are fine, beautiful
w Works Of art, and delightfully."-
'''so into the bargain. Turn from
y sAsrming canvas by Mr.. Davis TO
sa1nans Misty Morning." or
'1Fs lovely "Birches," and then
s's'hg landscape, apprehend the opa-
event deiicacy of Mr.. Dewing's In
4''f With figures, 1.-The Lesson" and
Nv polished painting in sir. Carlsen's
;" nis, Mandarin Necklace" Ma
s'ss'' sorsoothl What more is there
ae said Of pictures anywhere in the
an.ed?
~, 'fe Is another group Of paintings
&. !. : little further up the avenue, at
~0assoss gallery. to enforce the
ssa again. 1t contains one particu-
4 a,s. Illuminating piece in the early
'ape oy Weir. He painted it, be.
j h., psfaaventure, In France. The
4 'entlment Of the scene is not to
4 ;, ''uaaerstood; nor, for that mat
4 IN " ,as method. Here is the Weii
a M ''o days, learning much I'm Paris
q s,,,. ~" Clearly there shines forth the
4 Qns. 'ns'inetive spirit and quality
a s.l.' nassam Is illustrated on the
i aal,s. 80 la Arthur b. Davies; so il
Il Il ~ Asar'; so is Jonas Lie. None
4 ;.m Is In precisely tremendous
4 ats aas II the little exhibition has
y iss,, !. " Is because these men ex.
4 a,.s sss'aaeives. Even Mr.. Henri, who
q ssb,,., sbAps ineurably European SIS q
q ssS ,,.s mas talent which some
& sAsss as the burden he carries
s4n.r y ieis gallery. by TIE way
ssons made an OF watel