Evening star., 1928-05-27

EXTRAORDINARY AllEISSN. AZ NGAA-
sists of approximately 800 prints
was assembled in Paris by an expert
committee. and is being shown here ull-
der the auspices of the Association Fran
cats dExpanSion ct Exchanges Arts
.tioues and the American Federation OF
Arts. the French Ambassador, the min
lister Of public instruction, the director OF
the BihliotheQue Rationale and others
connected with the department OF prints
standing sponsor for II, A similar but
larger exhibition under like auspices was
shown last Summer in the Victoria and
Albert Museum, London, attracting VIDE
and favorable attention. This London
exhibition was brought TO the attention
Of the American Federation Of Arts by
one cf our leading American etcherS,
aad shortly thereafter an invitation
came from the Association Francois
d'Expansion ct 6Echsnge ArtiStiqueS
TO assemble an exhibition OF contenl-
porary American prints TO be exchanged
for q similar exhibition Of FTenc'l prints.
This invitation waS acceOted. The
American collection is now on its way
20 France, where it will be shown IN
the Blhliotheoue Rationale, Paris. The
French collection is here.
This collection. quite properly, is hav-
Ing Its first showing III our National
Library, which is the custodian Of our
national print collection. Later on 1t
will make a circuit of American art
museums. Because OF the size and
character of the exhibition, the cases in
the south curtain have been used for its
display. the prints being arranged sc-
cording to the artists names alphabet
c2lly.
whoever visits this exhibition can
nfNr - - nya1
by its merit but by its distinctly ma
tionA character. In subject and style
the work Is extremely diverse, but it is
French first. last and always. And per-
hapS. partly for this very reason. one
finds therein the works Of the modern
1sts side by side with those of the tradi-
tionalists-tae old with the new In per-
feet harmony.
There is nothing to suggest the
superficial. the merely experimental:
whatever has been done has apparently
been done with purpose with deep
underlying conviction that art is Of
supreme Importance conviction which
dignifes the most trivial result. 1t is
likewise Characteristic Of the French
that linked with this soberness Of mind
is q delightful sense Of humor-humor
Of subtle sort. almost never descend
lag b0 the EIUbCSqAe-
The French etchers have excelle6
always In the rendering Of architec-
tIzral themes and Of figures. but there
are IN this exhibition some beautiful
etchings Of landscape, the French land
scape, the landscape so dear 10 the
hearts Of FTenchmen that as people
they rarely enigrate, and that to pre-
serve it they viii at any time give their
lives. Above al things the French
landscape Is gentle, mild. intimate: it
does not overpower the observer: 1t does
not even call for great admiration. Dut
Il 10 peaceful and appealing. solace.
Q continuing Joy. In rendering land
scape these etchers evidence ightnes5
Of touch, o sensitiveneSs TO simple un-
assuming beauty-the beauty Of gentle
outdoor world Yet the French etched
tine is not only sensitive but at times
bcld and strong and vigorous.
These French etchers today are tire
descendants OF the great etchers Of the
worid-of Rembrandt Of their own
MeFyon-yes, even at times Of Whistler
Here and there through this exhibition
one notes strongly the Rembrandt in
1uerace. the impress that Whistler. an
American, made upon the art Of most
artistic country. But this Is never mere
borrowing: each artist represented IN
this exhibition has made his inheritance
his own.
one Of the greatest Of the French
etcherS. q maker Of tradition. is Felix
Brzcquemon6, who is represented here
BY six prints, two Of them extraordi-
na-siy famous. Bracquemond was, with
Merycn, one Of the founders OF the
Etchers Society in 1853. and was recog-
ziDed then as one Of the leaders In
this art. As NJ Lemoisne. Conservateu-
CT Cabinet des Estampes de la Bib
horheque Rationale. has said IN his in
production TO the catalogue Of this eXni-
bstiun: "Braccuemond's plates OF land
acapee, animals and stil life. as well
as his sincere and realistic portraits
give proof Of a prodigiously Skilful
technlc1e. He made himself the apostle
Of etching and his influence made It's
impression on a whole generation OF
enrrsyerg: he was also an excellent
technical adviser for Millet Rousseau,
Coyot and Manet" Among the six
prints by which he Is represented here
a a portrait Of Goncourt. a view Of a
street Ia Paris and two Of birds.
Then there are the painter -etchers.
Tren who have won fiIEt distinction as
painters but have likewise mastered the
Art Of etching and use II well-fnen
such as Degas. Fantin Latour, CarrieIe
Cottet. Renosr. 70 name perhaps TIC
most tiluEtr1ous.
Degas. one an etched portrait Of Manet,
the ether q Iithograph, La Sortie gu
Ea1n," are the highegt-priced prints IN
the collection. the former priced al
$500 the latter a. 81 600.
cayrisre, with whose charming paint
tngs os mothers and children every
visitor 10 the Luxembourg is acquainted.
"a represented By q portrait OF Daudel,
by portraits Of his wife and OF nttie
Jean Rene CsrTiere. as vel as SUD-
5eca picture entitled Maternity Cot
fet. On the other hand. Is represented
by color print, Funeral Ia Brittany,
ard sn etching Of boats.
Albert EesnArc. most distinguished az
q painter. shows beautiful etchings OF
portraits and groups. mothers anc cilai-
6ren. such as lie Dejennsr" and la
Mere Mala6e," showing rich contrasts
Of light and shade and an exquisite
tenderness Of feeling IN rendition Fan
tin Lztour is at his best In The Poet
and the Muse" II was LatouT. II VII
be remembered, who ifnmorsalized n
igiE autographs the great musicians.
And here We have etchings BY two
great eculptors-Fodin, VINO Is repre-.
eEGD1G ~ AA kSsA as PSf " avs Va s~sEDt
Hugo and Of prolst, and by B0uroelle
Essentially Sculpturesque is Odilon Re
oons superb portrait Of winged morse
''L'AileT Eedon is also represented bJ
three other aliegorical themes, one rep
Tesentins st. Cecilia, another Euddha
o third The Old Cavalier"
And what 0f The ulodern&H Here arr
etehings BY 0auguin. by MatisSf and b.
these who are still later-fnsn VINO are
pursuing the new and the different. ant
In some instances with excellent result
There Ia yiyidness In the works o
some Of these French uonernists whicf
ts en1inently worth while, such, for in
stance, So the two etchinas ny Henr
Farge, showing scenes IN the piazza o
VI. Marks in Venice; and the three eE
Gellent WORKS by Pierre Cater. two b.