Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-08
WATER COLOR CLUB
!. OPENS EXHIBITION
:
Nearly 200 Paintings and So
Works in Black and White
on Display.


lery of Art. The exhibition consists Of
nearly 200 paintings and So works in
black and white. and is set forth in
the two upper galleries to the right and
left of the main staircase, now used for
transient exhibitions. The Washington
Water Color Clubs annual exhibitions
have invariably been events of note.
bringing together the works Of local art
lists, many Of whom hove won distinc-
ton in the employment of this diff
cult and delightful medium.
Water color is a direct expression pro-
duced in moment of enthusiasm,
therefore spontaneous, joyous. There is
probably no medium more variously
used In the last so years than this. In
England, where water color painting
f1rst came into popular vogue, trans
parent wash was lightly applied to care
fully rendered drawings, and the word
drawing" was for long applied to what
in these later days we call paintings.
This method Of transparent wash was
replaced, or rather displaced, by the
Dutch method of heavy color, most
often Opaque and not infrequently ap-
piled to tinted paper. The Dutch art
lists Of the modern school, now no more,
demonstrated the fact that water color
could be so used that it had the strength
Of oils The Dutch method allowed wide
latitude in handling and remained in
favor for q considerable number of
years, but In turn was superseded by
the more direct method of today-a re-
turn to white paper. to transparent
color, but the full brush, we'll loaded.
In between interviewed the impression
lists, using little dots Of pure color in
dry paint,
New Traditions in Making.
wtnSlow Homer and Sargent were
for some years the leading opponents
of the new method and their works in
this medium rank in brilliancy with
their works in oils. Up to a couple of
years ago these painters were regarded
as exemplary. But now the modern
lists are coming to the fore, and an in
clination Is seen everywhere to discard
the representative and to reduce art
TO hieroglyphics, constituting nomen-
clature, nomenclature varied by each
artist at pleasure, different in almost
every instance. 1t is difficult for the
artists. as well as the public, to meet
such changing demands and conditions
and the result seen in almost all exhibit
tons OF contemporary work is evident
confusion of ideals. Old traditions have
been broken down and cast aside, new
traditions are in the making.
The current exhibition of the local
organization Is interesting as illustrat-
Ing the development OF water color and
the trend today. It is a bright color
full. engaging exhibition as whole, and
one win find included In it typical
works by well known artists Of excep-
tional merit
The club has obtained for this show
ing two, water scolors by John Whorf
of Boston, one Of the most brilliant
water coloriSts in this country. One
Is Of sunny pergola, the other the bow
of a great boat. Both are extremely
simply rendered-clear color on white
paper applied in broad wash. But they
are dazzling in their brightness, in the
illusion they convey of almost binding
Sunlight-works which are not only
amazing as technical achievements but
beautiful in themselves.
Subject Picture by Nye.
Between these two water colors hangs
q subject picture by Edgar Nye entitled
"Oystermen," showing group of men
on the deck Of schooner. a strong
work in the extreme modern mode,
which in the interest of simplification
employs cubiStic units and casts aside
all amenities of grace, beauty of texture,
charm-yet withal impressive
Representing the old Dutch school is
painting entitled "a Road in Hol-
land" by Charles P. Grippe, who,
though Of Dutch birth, Is an American
by adoption and has lived many years
IN this country. Seen in the midst of
the colorful works of modern painters,
this picture may appear drab and dull,
but 1t has unity Of composition, a
reticence in rendering, which tend to
make 1t Of lasting worth
Gathering Morris Wright of Philadel-
ph1a contributes to this exhibition two
excellent pictures of old-fashioned
homes-one red brick with doorway
and poftico similar at a glance to the
Octagon in this city; the other a
NIT 81,
titled ''The Hospitable Door" both rem
dered In Opaque color, and very well
rendered at that.
Gertrude P. Brown shows a number
OF her strong, forceful paintings ex-
hibited some time ago at the Arts
Club, among them 1.-THE Empty House"
and THE Steel Rolling Mill"
'Margarete Lent, who has won prizes
In New York. and whose work is ex-
ceeoingly strong and colorful, shows
House IN Georgetown" ''Wharf-poI-
perro" and "Swedenborgian Church
Tower"
Three Dutch Scenes.
Eleanor Parke Gusts contributes four
OF her characteristic subject pictures.
Three are Dutch scenes, one Brittany
subject.
Marguerite c. Mum (who. by the
way, Is now secretary of the club
shows very interesting subject, Chin
neys-Bologne- Sur-Mer." a picture of
roof tops and chimney pots-colorfuI
and out of the ordinary. She also
shows New England, Early Fall" and
Spring In Albemarle Countrywide
lures which indicate mood in nature,
the charm Of changing seasons.
There are several portrait studies by
Clara r. Saunders, similar to those now
on view at the Arts Club-life size
studies broadly rendered. And there
are several portrait sketches by Charles
o. Golden, a new exhibitor, very diff
1erent in style, but likewise strong in
Characterization.
8. Peter Wagner spent last Summer
at E2stport, Me, studying with George
Pearse Ennis and shows marked prog
reSs. HIS Sunset, Maine" is strong
and at the same time poetic. His
High View in Maine" has breadth and
effectiveness.
Mabel Mason De Bra is a new ex-
hibttor, who makes more than accept
able contribution. Her Eucalyptus
Professional" is gorgeous in color. Her
Road to Taos is very interesting.
La Force Bailey shows a number of
studies. among them THE Big Four
Yards" Drying Sails, No. g." THE
Gas House"-colorful and strong, in
which art dominates subject, as in
vartably it should.
Attractive Boat Studies.
From ]. Howard Ians comes a subtly
rendered nocturne-"Night Fishing"
Susan B. Chase, well known local
painter, shows several very attractive
boat studies-"Beyond the She'd" Dry
dock" and up for Repairs"
in an accomplished manner.
There is an interesting view of a