Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-13

room Is q collection of etchings by the
Philadelphia Society of Etchers-good
names, but poor works, In extremely
shabby, soiled and travel worn mats
by no means representative Of the
etchers' best, or, for that matter, In
company dress.
Those who are interested in the So
called modern movement-and who Is
not?--should see and study these
paintings by Sarah Baker and Lauretta
Sondag. Not that they will find 1t a
cheerful task, but because 1t may pro-
vide certain, amount of enlightenment
as to the methods employed, the drift OF
the movement.
To suppose that there Is no merit in
the modern movement would be absurd
Already there is evidence, In the
greater simplification and the increased
strength of certain work, of a benefi-
cent influence. but, even so. it does not
follow that all who employ this formula
are doing praiseworthy work any more
than that every artist who holds firmly
to traditions is q master. 1t Is true,
however, that a great many who have
adopted the modernist vernacular have
seemed, as do these two artists. to con-
clude that 1t imposes an obligation to
exalt the ugly.
There is an extraordinary similarity
between the works of Sarah Baker and
those OF Lauretta Sondag. therefore to
an extent what applies to one would
apply to the other. They are both fol-
lowing the cult of the commonplace
and the homely. They have cast aside
the amenities of beauty and grace, not
only In subject, but in manner OF In
terpretation. Their statements are set
forth brusQuely, their color Is dull and
heavy, their drawing by no means I'M
peccable. The present writer finds not
one thing in any of their works to
cause the least particle OF esthetic de-
light, not one thing that one would
desire to remember. Both undoubtedly
have talent and have had good schooi-
ing, Their statements do not lack
self assurance, but they do seem de-
void of beauty in an elemental sense.
It is perfectly possible for an ugly
thing to be neutrality-suspicious. may
represent strength, endurance; some OF
the finer qualities are rough. homeiy;
but beauty is Internationally OF char-
acter. beauty of suggestion. There Is
no excuse for work Of art in which
this element Is nonresident.
There may be some, undoubtedly
there are, who admire art of this sort
and for those who sincerely admire IL
those who find message in 1t, well and
good. But for the few who do there
are many who by just such works as
these are turned from art completely
one of the advantages of exhibiting art
is that it shall have intelligent and
thoughtful discussion, not mere praise
or blame, but sincere inquiry into its
deeper significance. II we are to gel
the best from the modernist movement
We must be open minded, on the alert
for the best, but not willing to accept
whatever bears the stamp OF newness
as indicative of progress.
4 4 Il 4
michel JACOBS, painter, sculptor
~ and color expert, who for mum.
Der OF years made his home in wash
ington. is to exhibit at the new Lorraine
Galleries. Connecticut avenue, from to-
morrow through Saturday, the 26th. Mr.
Jacobs has been ~exhibiting in Dallas
and Fprt Worth, Tex.
& 4 < + 4
THERE are now on exhibition In the
section OF photography, Arts and
Industries Building. United states Ma
tional Museum. IS prints by George J.
Hughes of Scotland, fellow of the Royal
Photographic Society, who as a pictorial
photographer has attained an interna-
tional fame. His subjects include -fig-
ures, dogs and outdoor scenes. The
exhibition will continue until February
%.
X X
A GREAT exhibition of Dutch art is
"A being held this month In Burling
ton House, London, under the auspices
Of the Royal Academy and distin-
guished patronage. To this exhibition
l6 paintings were sent on request from
America, and among this number sew
eral were lent by the Secretary of the
Treasury. MIR. Mellon, from his private
collection.
No greater evidence Of our progress
in the arts and the growth of appreci-
alton in this country could be found
than this, that the Old World Is be-
ginning to turn to the museums and
the collectors in the United States to
supplement their great exhibits and to
share in their delight.