Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-14

which the etcher has used aquatint
for the foreground, pure etching for
the architectural portion: his charm
ing Corona: that amazing piece Of
technique. the Ponte Vecchio. Flor
ence. an exquisite Interpretation Of the
many-windowed facade along the river
as seen from an archway of the cover
ed bridge.
These and other etchings by John
Taylor Arms not only set forth facts
but interpret the spirit Of the place
which they represent. There Is an in.
detiuable atmosphere, a loneliness, a
human appeal which we find in the
thing itself and which allures. And
what conSummate art goes into the
rendering, how exquisitely at times
he simplifies, obliterates detail, how
marvelously in a welter of detail he
secures singleness OF impression!
breaks the abruptness Of the outlines
of a tower against the sky, lightly
surrounding the tower with soft
clouds, adding as an additional touch
or accent the flight Of birds. Here Is
skill of an extremely rare order. COM
bined with sensitive appreciation. the
power Of seeing truly and interpret.
ing beautifully.
Mr.. Arms has made special study
of aquatint and he has achieved
markell success in his renderings in
this medium. Most pleasing of the
miscellaneous subjects printed in color
own home in Connecticut, homely
enough in itself, but rendered charm
ing through Interpretation, the seeing
eye Of the artist. Sunrise, Mont st.
Michel" Is perhaps more pleasing in
monotint than In color, and Is seen in
fascinating miniature In one Of the
pen and ink drawings-a tiny little
affair. scarcely larger than a visiting
card, and yet completely indicative Of
that magnificent architectural monu.
ment.
There is today q great interest in
and enthusiasm for pictures of boats
and ships, an interest partly patriotic,
partly testifying to the continuing
lure of the romance of the sea. Mr..
Arms series OF aQuatints Of boats Is
timely and engaging. An admirable
piece Of painting is Where Junk Sails
Lift" 1.-THE Golden Galleon," from
painting by VIII Simmons. and 1.-THE
Viking" are extremely well rendered
and summon memories of stirring
| tales. The American Clipper Ship"
and Bark Metis" come closer to our
present day.
There Is a set Of six interesting
etchings Of Princeton, most interest
ing of which, perhaps. is that Of Mas.
sau Hall, and there Is also an etching
made for a Christmas card. not the
least artistically important Of this
very successful etcher's works. For.
tunate, indeed, are those who may
boast its possession.
! And still word in regard to the
drawings. 1t is these which give, i'm
part. the raison d'etre for the quality
of the etchings, for an etcher who can
not draw-and drawing in the modern.
list school is held Of little worth-need
| not etch. Etching requires good
| craftsmanship. Mr.. Arms drawings
in pencil or tn pen and Ink, some
| think. have spontaneity which
| eludes the etcher's needle: but, after
all, 1t is one and the same, and those
! who are Of the impression that art is
an accident and that all that Is nee
essary Is to express ones self. should
see such work as this. which witnesses
not only TO extraordinary talent but
endless capacity for taking pains To
, see such work is indeed a real privi-
! lege.
!; X !: x
A T the Arts Club, o017 I street, there
open today three new exhibitions
one Of oil paintings by Charles Bit
finger. an associate Of the National
Academy. Of Design and q Washing.