Evening star., 1924-01-27
Notes of Art and Artists

had recognized the merit of his etch-
ings and were already purchasers.
| Strangely enough, it is reported that
examples of some of these litho-
graphs can still be had for as little
| as ten shilling siXpence apiece; that
Is, less than three dollars. The ques-
| ton is. where such bargains are to
be found. The burden of proof rests
on the collector. and the astute col
| lector must know the difference be-
eween the original printing and later
| proofs.
! MR.. PENNELL remarks in his
!, photography and Lithogra-
pliers" that Whistler made lltho-
graphs because he liked to make
them. This, In all probability, was
Whistler's excuse for painting, for
making pastels and water colors, and
1t is the reason why. to a great ex-
tent, those who see his works today
find pleasure in them.
1t is particularly gratifying and
| instructive to be able to study these
! etchings and Autographs of Whis-
! tiers in connection with his oil paint
inEs, water colors, pastels and deco
rative work. the latter as set forth
! in the peacock room, all on display
In the Frear Gallery.
x
DOR many years Americans have
been going to Europe TO study
! art and art collections. Now. some
what to our surprise, We find that
Europeans are coming to America for
these same purposes. This last week
: distinguished professor of the his
tory art in the University of Stock
holm was in Washington, studying
our collections and getting In touch
with our leading art organizations.
Prof. Roosval left Stockholm In
early December and has spent more
than month in the United States
visiting exhibitions and galleries and
getting in touch with American books
on art. He is taking back with him
10 stockholm not only a knowledge
or what American artists are doing
today and have done in the last hun
dred years, but also books of refer
ehce. photographs and lantern slides
TO be used in lectures to be given at
! the Stockholm University.
X 4 x
THE death last week OF George F.
c. Smillie may be reckoned as q
distinct loss to the world of art Mr.
; Smillie was one of the few great por-
/ trait engravers of our day, and for
| many years he gave his time and his
talents to the service Of the govern
ment, being employed as portrait en-
grarer until a year ago by the bu-
reau OF engraving and printing.
He studied under his uncle, James
Smillie. national academician, and
worked first for the American Bank
COnnany in Ma
the Canadian Bank Note Company IN
Montreal. Among his chief works
We're the silver certificates of 1898,
large official portraits of the Presi-
dents; Kenyon Cox's design. "Ameri-
ca-the Spirit of Liberty" appearing
on the liberty bonds, etc.
HIS family for several generations
has been distinguished In American
art. His uncle, James u. Smillie. was
both painter and an engraver. The
son OF jeweler and silversmith, he
dld etching before he was eight years
old. 1t is said that at fourteen years
of age he made ambitious illustra-
tions for Millions Paradise Lost"
In 1862 he went abroad to study,
after having been employed in bank
note engraving, but in '64 upon his
return to the United States. he aban-
doned engraving and took up paint
ing. He was one of the founders of
the American Water Color Society.
ser Wing as preSluent ana treasurer,
and also one OF the organizers of the
New York Etching Club. He will
always be associated in memory
with the men of the Hudson River
School. who. through their paintings
and their engravings. did much to
establish landscape art on a sure ard
firm footing here in the United States.
BECAUSE OF the lack OF demand for
work of this sort. there are compare
lively few portrait engravers today,
none. perhaps. with the extraordinary
training and skill OF the late George
F. c. Snlillie.
x x
INVITATIONS have been issued to
Especial exhibitions of oil paintings
by Laura Welsh Casey and water col.
ors by Alice Willoughby, opening at
the Arts Club. 2017 Eye street, today
and continuing to February s. These
exhibitions are open to the puolic
from 10 am. to pm. on week days
and from to pm. on Sunday after
Moons. LEILA MECHLlN.