Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-12

out the United States, on local art.
No longer, would it seem, is the
prophet without honor in his own country. A
few years ago an exhibition Of local art was
rarely seen in an art museum, museum author
tiles deeming it their duty to collect and dis
play only such art as had passed the test Of
time, and concerning the merit Of which there
could be but one opinion. Now almost all of
the museums have set aside one or more gal
lnries for the exhibition of works of local
painters and are featuring these exhibits. The
Art Institute Of Chicago, for example, gives
prominent place on It's calendar to an annual
exhibition of the works Of artists Of Chicago
and vicinity. The Cleveland Museum of Art
not only features an annual exhibition of the
works of Cleveland artists, but makes such ex-
hibiti0ns financially profitable to the painters,
ehecting numerous sales TO local collectors.
Quite q number Of the smaller cities are follow
ing along the same line. The Southern States
Art League, which has circulated the works of
Southern artists in the Southern States. has
undoubtedly assisted In creating interest in the
work Of painters Of q specified locality.
Here in Washington the situation Is not new.
FOR many years the Corcoran Gallery, which
was established primarily for the advancement
Of American art and the cultivation Of interest
In 1t In this city, has co-operated with the
local art associations in the matter Of exhibi-
lions. In recent years. however, this cooper
alton has been increasingly liberal. This sea-
son. for instance, the opening exhibition Of the
Fall Is of paintings and sculpture by Washing
ton artists, arranged and sponsored by the
Society Of Washington Artists This exhibi-
ton Is not to be confused with the annual ex-
hibition held by this organization. It wiz
come later.
The works now shown are excellent ex-
anples, though the collection was, Of necessity
assembled while many Of the members of the
society were still out of town. But it is an
excellent and interesting showing meriting
INIT OVniv fxalf xricf AvaG ao
admirably arranged, pleasingly coiorful In
terestingly varied in subject matter and style
Of presentation.
The portrait of Edith Barnard Delano, well
known writer which has the place of honor on
one Of the long walls was painted by Charles
Bittinger last Summer In the authors home In
Deerheld, and Is being shown here for the FIRST
time. 1t is attracting much favorable atten-
eaOn- Mr.. Bittinger, who Is perhaps better
known for his beautiful interiors Cfor example
his painting Of the blue room at the White
House,, has during the past Summer executed
. number of portrait commissions, which SIM
ply re-emphasizes the painters versatility
There Is an Interesting contrast between this
portrait and the portrait by Miss Critcher
which hangs directly opposite-contrast In man
ner Of rendering and In the matter of compost
ton-the latter being treated more as a deco
Eative design, the background being made to
ray q prominent part In the scheme
There Is not one right way Of painting but
many, and the chief interest in an exhibition of
this sort and benefit from 1t Is the opportunity
20 compare and to become acquainted with the
different ways the artists have of working
One prize is offered in connection with this
exhibition, cash award Of $780, The winner
Of this prize viii be determined by vote OF
the visitors during the week beginning today
and ending October 10. Thus the public Is
invited to pass judgment on the works shown
and to indicate preference.
The Corcoran Gallery Is open to the public
On Sunday afternoons well as on week days.
"A REMARKABLE collection Of portrait draw
ings in charcoal by Leopold Seynert is
now TO be seen in the upper atrium Of the
C0rcoran Gallery Of Art.
Leopold Seyffert Is without question one of
Rhe leading American portrait painters Of today.
mpproKimatfng I'm his works more nearly than
himost any one else the strength and char
better found I'm the works OF the great Dutch
kAasters OF portrattsre Of the past. He was one