The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-15
,GOMINSPA|NTS
jIA|NE R|CAN LIFE
no
]. IN SAT|R|C VEIN
II
Artist, Who viii Make Wash
i ington His Home for a Time,
Holding Mirror Up to Society
FOLLOWS HoGARTH'S STEPS
Has Shown "Jazz" and Good
Gracious" DeIineations of
Spirit OF Today, as He SeesIt
BY VICTOR FLAMBEAU.

III DIV N1SlON TLANDA<AC "
|. Washington must be growing IN
CART appreciation when success
I'ful artist of New York and Boston
sdecides to settle here.
HI gAll winter Eben F. Comins has
lsbeen in the National Capital paint
ling portraits in the former studio
iSof Miss Ellen Day Hale. who is
lIabsent this season in Charleston,
lis. C.
MAY STAY ONE YEAR.
Your newspapers, especially The
lTimes-H Herald, are showing so much
Interest, in the movement to make
washington national art center,
said Mr.. Comins, that I have about
Needed to return here another
isvear, and do what can to help
safong the good work.
III MIR CCminS was already known IN
washington through his striking
ss'doughboy' hero types in the Ma
ldionaI Gallery war collection.
His ability as painter OF pretty
fWomen has also been demonstrated
lsby the charming portrait of Miss
lLouise Goff,' debutante daughter OF
IgCol. and Mrs. Guy Despard Golf.
IsAnd by a stunning full length or
IH'Ruth st. Denis in her Nautch
dance" in which the famous
Isaancer- wears yellow satin gown
with rare jewel ornaments, and
sscoquettish little head dress. Miss
tsoff was pictured holding her pert
little Pekingese Chung" pose
which set off well her beauty of:
face and figure.
1.-THE Enigma is another pleas
ling feminine portrait in Mr.. Co
lstnins' studio. This picture, of a
shandst me young woman in ball
dress, seated. three-quarter length,
has recently returned from display
lat the Chicago Art Institute and
was also shown in the Omaha ex-
Htbition
AMERICAN SATIRE PICTURES.
A series of American satire pic
lures is the newest idea of this
versatile artist, who will doubtless
be a second Hogarth in teaching
society a few lessons in a pleasant.
informal way. Two Of these themes,
already completed, picture Ameri-
can culture
sOne. called Jazz, shows a house.
hold on Sunday morning when the
newspaper arrives, each grabbing
hts or her fayorite page. while
SISTER pounds the piano. cheerful
little home scene. The second.
named Good Gracious, is the
Comment of virtuous female walk
ing down the street of q small
town, where she chances to observe
two pretty "yamps," at whom the
half-grown boys in a neighboring
doorway are leering, while in the
shop window a still gayer vamp is
the lay figure displaying a corset
model.
Mr.. Comins has had several "at
homes in his studio at 8 St. Mat
thews alley. Thursday of last week
he showed his seasons work and
some OF his earlier pictures.
One Of these. called THE Dog
town of Gloucester" represents a
country scene with little story
a sailor and his best girl walking
up a road. while other characters
are grouped about in rural atti-
tudes. This painting was one of
half a dozen by Washington artists
recently shown in the Pennsylvania
Academy Exhibition of Philadel-
phia. Miss Catharine G. Critcher,
who also has her studio in st. Mat
thew's alley was another of those
included from Washington.
INFORMAL TALK ON ART.
On Saturday. April 81, the Art
and Archaeology League will hold
fits monthly studio assembly with
Mr.. Comins. when he will give an
informal talk on art
Although primarily portrait
painter, Mr.. Comins is also a sue
cessful writer, teacher and lee
turer He was born in Boston,
Mass. where he has studio in
the Fenway Studio building.
His art training was gained at
the BeauX-Arts in Paris and through
the American artist and critic, Den
man Ross. His summers, Mr. Com
ms usuallys spends in East Glouces-
ter. where he has another studio.
Since coming to Washington, Mr..
Comins has been active in the Arts
Club here, of which he is now a
member. He also belongs to the
California Art Club and the Boston
Art Club, besides the Coplev So.
ciety of Boston
Ills work has received MANY hon.
ors, two Of which are the first
prize of the Hartford Exhibitions
In 1921, and honorable mention AT
the Connecticut Academy of Fine
q CT t.