The New York herald., 1921-11-13


requires enterprise it is true, to COM
Iete with the dealers, all of whom
are avid for water colors, and to
whose shops it is now the custom to
so, rather than to the exhibitions OF
the societies, for all that is best and
significant in this art. Lack OF en-
terprise is, however, fatal accusa-
tion to make of any institution, for
without enterprise in these days in
stitutions dwindle.
But no such thing may be said to
Brooklyn. Enterprise" is the Brook
lyn Museums middle name.
All the topnotchers OF fame. such as
winslow Homer. John Singer Sargent.
John La Fargo and Robert Blum, are
represented, de by side, with the work
of mete ors flashing in the present day
skies, such as John Marin. Arthur e.
Davies. Charles Demuth and Charles
Burchfield An apology Is made in the
catalogues foreword to the genuses
whose works are not being shown--but
really. who that Is worth while has been
left out? All the artists who have
stirred the waters in the pool of medi-
ocrty seem to be included. and so with
a clear conscience the student can b.
recommended not to miss this show OF
all that is best among native water coll
lors. There are no blank, places In It
Every artist who Is there is ther1 for
an appreciable reason, and most of them
are seen at their best
Modern of the Moderns.
The argumentative will argue-since
argue they must-over the presence in
such a collection OF the groups by such
men az John Marin. Charles Denuth,
William Zorack and Man Ray. All these
are modern of the moderns. That is to
say they are in advance OF their public.
They are busily engaged in holding the
mirror up to a society that has not yet
run its course. The Anonymous Letter
Writer will say--and far be 1t from me
TO detract in any way from the nev s
value Of his Furious Outburst-that It
IS a previously cracked mirror that tn y
are holding up, but they will reply or
Will for them, that it is society that is
cracked. (For details consult Wells. g.
r. Shaw, Bjornson, Gorky, Maximilian
Harden ct alb.
John Marin Is probably the greatest
living exponent OF the medium, or cer-
tainly he is the greatest upon this side
OF the water. The sweep and breadth
of his eloquent water colors are born OF
as deep emotions as are those discernib!e
I'm the background of great performances
by Winslow Homer, or Shelley, or even
Beethoven.
Yet in the present association OF
them with such survivors from another
era as Homer and La Fargo the advan-
tare is necessarily to the latter.
Nomer's dimensions now are measured
as well as those of all the people amid
whom and for whom he worked. The
fitness and genuineness of his style can
now be easily felt even by average in
tclligences. Not so with Marin. There
IS something appropriate and natural In
seeing such pieces in museum as IN
n collection Of things past and done
with. He is a vital. living force. No
one may measure him or say what he
NAV do any more than one may define
what the tomorrow of politics Is TO be.
few people, specially sensitive to
technique. will stake their lives upon his
sincerity and few more keenly relish
the spectacle OF an artist nobly daring
the uncertain and treacherous eddies or
modern thought.
Novelties on Exhibition.
The diligence Of the organizers OF this
exhibition may be attested by the nov
elites in Il. As noveiists must be listed
some exceedingly agreeable little aqua
relies by my old friend Joseph Pennell.
Few peorle knew he water colored.
didn't This will be my chance to come
10 a rdpprochement with him, for there
has been a slight GOODNESS between Joe
and me ever since wrote something
s~v veers ago His views of the lower
river from a Brooklyn housetop are
rippin'. (Im told that "gs" are now
distinctly ar.iculated in the best London
circles. but I'm writing this for Joe,
who hasn't been 20 London lately.) Ono
enthusiast who liked them very m""h
praised them with the adjective Whist
icriau. but I don't think 80. ] didn't
know who in the least had done them
and had TO look up the artist in my
catalogue. SO 1 prefer to call them PEN
neilian.
Then too It is novelty 70 run across
erich Satanic ironies as Charles Burch-
fields water colors In a museum; and
the slashirg exhuberances OF Mary
Rogers. who Ia being more honored now
that she Is dead than ever she was dur
ing her lifetime: and the bold drawings
Of Brger Sandzcn and Rockwell Kent
and the glistening After the Rain" OF
Jayley Lever: and the curious discov-
cries of "Pop" Hart along the outskirts
Of civilization. And then too the groun
by Claggett Wilson, as has been limited
Is very novel indeed.
Fewer than usual were thc grOnps
for which one felt that the PASSING
glance was sufficient. 1t happens often
that gems of purcst ray serene do not
instantly surrender themselves to the
searcher however eager Possibly in
this category are the works of Dodge
MacISnirht. an artist who enjoys a pro-
digious reputation IN Boston but who IS
rot so well known In Jnese parts rney
cav that when he gives an exhibition
there crowds of people walt outside the
doors on Monday morning for the place
70 opon and that within twenty minutes
after they are allowed In all the pic
turns arc marked sold
This may or may not be p rccominer.
dation for the artistic qualities OF Mr.
MacEniehts work---accordlng 60 your
viewpoint--but farcy my dismay upor
emerging from this end OF the subway
ana consulting my catalogue TO find tha,