Evening star., 1922-12-31

ton of water colors by Luther
Morris Leisenring is now on
view in the CoTcoran Gallery
of Art. Mr.. Leisenrins is local
architect and has to his credit not 4
few we'll designed architectural
works. but the present exhibition
gives Mr.. Leisenring place and high
rank among contemporary painters.
Not only do they show excellent
craftsmanship. but exceptional ahli-
ity in interpretation. as well as ap-
probation of the essential elements
in design, which makes possible the
elimination of unnecessary detaii
without loss Of effect.
Almost without exception, these
pictures, which set forth streets ana
buildings in Florence. Venice, Rome
Bruges. Antwerp. Segovia and other
European cities are done in gouache
on gray paper almost SketchllS. so
that they have somewhat the appear
ance of pastels. but are more pernld .
nent. This was the medium ina.
Hopkiuson Smith employed. and yet
Mr. LeiSenriug'S sketches are much
more suggestive of the pasteis OF
Whistler than OF the water col"rs OF
this well remembered author-paihte
His architectural training has en-
abled him to draw buildings with un-
derstanding and accuracy. ana MS
love of that which is beautiful has
made it possible for him TO make
patent to others the loveliness OF the
structures which he has drawn. II
one would know why year after year
thousands of Americans visit the old
In
found in these water colors or MT
Leisenring. for. whether the tourists
know it or not. it is the real beauty
the art of the builders of the past
that attracts them.
Among the water coiorS in TINS COL
lection are two remarkable interiors
of a great church at Assist. with It's
wonderful mosaics making tapestry
of color There is also an interior OF
the Villa Madama in Rome. which is
very beautiful. There are eXter;ors
OF churches showing marvellous cary
ing. buildings gray and grave, that nave
stood through many centuries. but which
because of their noble proportions and
fine design have a nobility which all
mus recognize.
Through a tall archway Mr. Leisen-
ring has pictured one of the Spanish
hill towns. He has also painted with
extreme simplicity and colorful re-
straint the Greek theater at Syracuse.
Beside a picture of the Gate of the
Lions at Toledo. which sets forth the
eIaborateness of the workmanship
which went into the making of this
famous portal. one sees view OF
Granada interpreted with almost
stenographic brevity. There Is a
most elaborate study of the Ponte
Vecchio, that famous old bridge Of
the silversmiths at Florence. where
Dante at one time mad his abode. and
which is still place Of enchantment:
with its little windows. while beyond
are seen over the housetops the tower
of the cathedral and the Florentine
hills shouldering the sky. There is
a picture of Verona and bits of
Venice-all poetry, no prose-not one
stroke which seems studied or labor
ed, work done for the JOY OF the do
ing, personal Impressions skillfully
expressed. Being souvenirs of travel
and memoranda. they are not for
sale, but the opportunity to see them
which the Corcoran Gallery affords
the public is a privilege indeed.
TN his studio in st. Matthews alley
l Eben Comins has at present a
number of interesting, lately finished
paintings, among which is figure
study Of young girl, Angelica"
whose gown is the color of her red
gold hair, and who is seen seated
against a panel of crimson tapestry,
which in turn has a background of
a dramatically rendered wooded hill