The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-11

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| The national portrait gallery ex-
| hibit of World war celebrities por-
traits, which was opened Monday at
the State Memorial building, and
which will continue until November
81, has, so far, been exceedingly well
received by the Topeka public.
| Among the twenty portraits shown,
those by John c., Johansen seem to re-
ceive the greatest share of admiration.
| They are, the portraits of Marshal
Joffre, General Diaz, Premier Or
| lando of Italy, and Field Marshal
Haig.
The portrait Of Joffre certainly is
a superb piece of work. Dignified
and striking in pose, fine in color, and
having an exceedingly skillful back
ground. The backgrounds of the por-
traits of Orlando and Diaz are both
most original and peculiar. Both men
are represented as standing before a
marble wall covered with sculpture1
reliefs of Roman historical subjects.
Apparently tne artist wished to get
away from the rather Stereotyped
formalities of portrait backgrounds by
using something that would link the
Italian present with the glories of the
Roman forefathers. The result is,
pleasing even if it is unusual. The
portrait of Field Marshal Haig is also
a good portrait. artistically executed.
The work of Cecilia BeauX, who is
regarded by many as Americas great
est portrait painter, except John
Singer Sargent. seems to be next in
popularity with TopekanS- Her paint
ings are those of Cardinal MERCER,
Premier Glemenceau, and admiral
Beatty. All three of these works were
painted after a careful study of the
sitters, and are said by competent
judges, to reflect not only the out
ward appearance but also the inward
personalities of these men. Miss
Beaux's work is not fully appreciated
by the average person at the first
view, but grows on one more and
more with each succeeding visit.
The MERCER portrait is full of
spiritual dignity, and the difficulty of
painting the brilliant red of the car
dinal costume has been most skill
fully overcome.
Clemenceau is shown in one of his
most chara cteristic attitudes. The
character of the mans face is said to
color values and lighting are SO skill
fully managed that the beholder is at
first entirely unconscious of the mar
YelouS knowledge and the technical
dexterity that lies back of the work.
Admiral BeattyS portrait is a thing
of superb dignity. You know at once
that you are beholding a commander
of men. and a Briten Of birth and
breeding.
Douglas Volk's large portraits of
General Pershing and King Albert of
Belgium are exceedingly fine pieceS1
of work, and are adjudged to be good
scant opportunity to study his sitters.
As an eastern critic has said, There
is a picturesque dignity about Mr..
Yolk's King Albert and General
Pershing, which will doubtless COM
mend them to future generations"
Mr.. Volks portrait of Lloyd George is
distinctly inferior to the above mem
toned portraits. 1t is lifeless and
cold.
Charles Hopkinson's portrait of
Prince Saionji OF Japan is, to the
writer, one Of the most interesting
pictures in the exhibit. ranking in
fascinating, compelling interest with
the portraits of Clemenceau and
Joffre. 1t is the simple, quiet portrait
of an Oriental gentleman. The char
acteristic inscrutable dignity of the
Oriental face, that covers the inner
feelings like a mask is all there. Then
too, the technique is just right. There |
is not a thing in the picture that does
not need to be there, and nothing has
been left out that should be there.
There are other good pictures and I
some not quite so good. The portraits |
of President Wilson and Herbert |
Hoover were painted from photo |
graphs. They will be replaced by por-
traits from lifesas soon as Edmund c. /
TarbeIl has an opportunity to get sit
tingS from Wilson and Hoover. 1t is /
unfortunate that the Hoover portrait /
was included in the exhibition, as it |
does not add in any way to the value /
thereof.
One thing to which public attention