Evening star., 1922-01-22
Notes of Art and Artists

A remarkable collection Of Japa-
nese paintings in the manner OF the
old school by a distinguished Jap
anese artist, Shunko Sugiura, is now
on view at the National Museum, be-
ing set forth under the auspices Of
the National Gallery Of Art. The
collection comprises about forty ex-
lures. These are all in accordance
with the best traditions of oriental
art and are Of a standard compare
BILE with the works of the great
Chinese and Japanese masters. There
are landscapes, birds. animals and
flowers, some in color, but the ma
jority in monotint.
The japanese and Chinese paint
ers of olden days were masters of the
art OF elimination, and in presenting
themes set forth only that which was
essential. They had the keenest
sense Of decorative quality. but their
works invariably were full of senti-
ment and significance. This is like
wise true of Mr. Sugiura's paintings.
They are simple. well composed, dec
orative in effect, exquisitely subtle
and fully imbued with meaning, orr
entail in spirit, universal in appeal.
The artist is by no means a young
man, and he is one of those who dep
recate the tendency OF Japanese
artists today to follow western meth
DDS. Unlike the artists whose works
were exhibited a short time ago in
the Corcoran Gallery of Art, he is not
an imitator of those who have gone
before. but he naturally and skillfully
employs the same mode of expression
a iS IN,
against the misapprehension of
younger artists of Japan of today
that he has brought this collection to
America and is taking it to Europe
to exhibit. believing that in this way
he can best demonstrate the fact that
alive.
Art is a reflection OF life, and very
few can live in ono ago and produce
in the spirit Of an age that has gone
before it. Internationalism is bound
to eliminate national individualism.
is forever gone unless that nation
chooses to close its doors once more
and live unto itself. Railroads, the
telegraph, telephones, all modern in
ventions which bring the different
peoples of the world closer together.
is differences Of habit and thought
that create national individuality in
art. The west has learned much of
the east in this field and has still
much to learn.
,.A;..;gs. As one Of +, the , few ", living repre-
Shunko Sugiura should therefore be
the moro welcome today, and this ex-
hibition OF his paintings the more
valued. He is at the present time on
his way to Paris to present to the
Louvre one Of his works. invited
fNNY tAy HNt.
will continue only until Friday af-
ternoon. 1t is eminently worth see
ing.
The group Of landscapes by the
late John Leslie Breck, now on view
at the Arts Club. 2017 I street, is a
real refreshment and delight to q sin
cere lover OF art and Of the outdoor
world. Not only are the pictures we'll
painted but peculiarly. sympathetic
and discerning. There is q reticence
about them that is refreshing in this
day Of very frank expression, and a
quiet toyousness that stirs the emo
tions. Ono sees In style q general
character that is reminiscent of
Monet his master. and Twachtman.
his neighbor and colleague. But for
this very fact they are none the less
engaging.
There is a series Of five pictures. all
Of the same subject. a simple enough
subject. at that. "Haystacks at Civ
erny, Normandy" painted with the
sole purpose of demonstrating the
difference in light from dawn to mid
day. The first is at dawn, the clouds
delicately colored: the next shows the
sun dispelling the morning mist; the
third pictures the shadows still long,
but the air clearing: the fourth. the
shadows have shortened, 1t Is 10 in
the morning: in the fifth the shadows
have disappeared, 1t is high noon.
Here are pictures frankly displaying
the different appearance Of the same
subject In the varied light Of @ single
morning. pictures primarily interpret
ing the illusion Of light and air, and
thus proving the impressionists' con-
tentfon that 1t fs the variance In these
which makes for charm and beauty in
landscape.
No. I in this exhibition; "ciins at
Ironbound Island, Maine" is a more
complete work. very lovely in color,
very beautiful in texture. The four
Venetian subjects are a little Tur-
neresque and less spontaneous in rem
dering than the landscapes painted in
Mr.. Breck's own New England.
Surely Mr.. Twachtman was right
when he said that In this painters
early death ''our country lost . great
4euiua though 1t may never know u"
n is q real privilege 70 see such
paintings ~ these.
|. 49,, ~ ..5.....