Evening star., 1927-12-03

for clothing's sake? Jamais de Ia vie!
No pa ajamas.
While the writer was investigating
this critical matter. he visited the
art department of the Library of Con-
cress. and was there shown a number
of photographs depicting scores OF
prettv girls parading in so-calied
''bea1Itv contests" in Atlantic City.
". j.. and Long Beach. Calf. Every
girl was "draped' in a tight-fitting
bathing costume which ended about
20 inches above the knees. They also
were 'wreathed in smiles" Lift them
up tenderlv. handle with care" They
are also somebodies' daughters.
The art-trained librarians explained
that the photographs had just arrived
from the copyright office, and were on
their way to a very dark garrett.
where moth and rust and the public
would neither corrupt nor he corrupt
ed. For, however bare, this is not art.
x *
Art is al Interpretation. not an imi-
tation, of nature. or of an emotion or
passion or ideal. Art is beauty, and
where there is not purity there can
he no beauty. whether it he beauty of
person or of poetic thought.
y ~
So the new statue. to stand before
Continental Hall of the Daughters of
the American Revolution in honor of
the four early organizers, of the. So
ciety will not be portrait of any or
them. but will idealize the spirit ac-
tuating all of them and the spirit of
ho MI nj
hers more than 175.000 patriotic
American women who stand for the
ideals of the Revolution and of true
America nism. derived from duly
patriotic Revolutionary ancestors.
The Idealized Spirit holds out her
arms in a gesture of cordial welcome
to all properly pediSreed Americans
who are actuated by the same pa
triotism.
OF course she is draped in classic
costume. rather than in any of the
transitive fashions of today, for claS-
sic costume has been accepted in art
as ideal and permanent. while cur
rent fashion is as cha nGeful as the
moon by which Juliet refused to let
her Romeo swear.
What would he more absurd than
to drape this symbolic figure in the
clothes in vogue when the society was
orga niZed? Should she then wear
polonaise a hustle and a long gown?
Should she he more up-to-date and
wear huge balloon sleeves? glance
at any family album" such as used
to adorn the marble center table of
the 1890 parlor will suffice to. con-
vince any one that no such monstrosi-
ties could grace the Continental Hall
TODAY.
What. then. would the women of
1850 saw if this symbolic woman in
marble should perch on her pedestal
in 1928 abbreviated dress. displaying
we'll developed patellas, bare arms
and bobhed hair? No, she will he
clothed and in her right mind-as all
style will he y permanent as a perma-
nent wave--plus.
\
Seventeen years ago, the Chicago
Tribune published an article discussing
the problem. what shall we do with
the nude in art?" That article Illus.
trates what we should not reneat--
the experience of the City of Wash
inrton. Read this extract:
Mai. Sylvester. chief of Washington
police and renowned as an authority
on police and criminal questions In
this country. has come into conflict
WIN Mrs. Alfred CllffOrd BARNEY
professional eccentriuIIe
over the question of the proprieties In
art. 1t is simply a question
nude woman should he OK
hibited On ones lawn within easy view
Of the gaping crowds.
"rhe major thinks il is scandaIous.
In his eyes 1t is like hanging n photo
graph Of a naked menAber of the fam
ly on the gatepost--so he ordered his
officers to drape the form in heavy
canvas. and it was done"
Mrs, Rarnev was in Paris then. but
she protested. NAL soft qui NAL
pense."
Over In Baltinore Mr. Winans deco.
rated his lawn with many beautiful
statues. TO which certain good citizens
the Molly Soits"-objected The
owner thereupon built a high brick
wall ahont his premises. and kept his
The public will await the outcome of
The placing OF this new statue before
ne d. a. r. headquarters. WIN the
Molly Soits" become excited and
swear out, a warrant against, the
daughters, or must the marble palace
oe surrounded by high brick wall.
mounted by students of true Fart for
,rt's sake and not for clothing. lay
kcopyright lp27. BY pauI y coiiin.a