Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-23

"HE exhibition Of portraits by Louise
Rochon Hoover and landscapes by
her husband, Charles Hoover, which
I opened at the Arts Club November
l6, to continue through the 18th, is
OF unique Interestingly, entertaining, admir-
able. as CAV a little show as has been set forth
Coz many day. Mr.. and Mrs. Hoover are un-
M0laheedly uiodernists, but they are sane mod
awnAsts, taking unto themselves and employing
enc tenets Of modernism just % far o. they md
eaaom useful and good Their works are simple,
northright and virile. They say what they have
% say concisely and forcibiy. They use great
economy in expression, but they succeed in pre-
mentiag not merely the semblance Of things seen,
NAt the spirit Of things felt.
ARA. Hoover's portraits, while almost brutality
arank, are uncommonly vital, interpretive Of
personality even more perhaps than appearance
her portrait Of Mrs. Joseph ]. Weller Is exceed
angfy good as q piece Of painting and charac-
&eri1Ation; so also is her portrait Of her husband
ind her impression of herself.
Delightful both from the standpoint OF sub
TDCttve humOF and manner Of rendering Is her
WEwup Of four paintings entitled, Romantic
Decorations" bat, In fact, Illustrations OF life in
the 8Os, which to the younger generation Of
today seems to belong not only to the dark
but the silly ages Of the past. I'VE Have Our
Picture Taken" shows o couple very self-con-
Wci0sB. the man be-whiskered, the woman be-
Ruffled; illusion" is of another couple, very
Eomantic; 1.-THE New Dress" and "Sleigh-bells"
Nut 1880 is little late for these costumes and
Tor the attitude they set forth. Ten years
earlier would be more nearly correct Whether
correct historically or not, however, these four
costume studies of other and earlier days are
eharmingly rendered with real sense of pic
aorial quality and exceptional freedom Of brush
work. Furthermore, it is gratifying to find an
artist ready and able to make merry; the tend
&ncy Of our art today is 10 be infinitely too
Aolemn.
Mr. Hoover shows chiefly outdoor pictures
according to announcement, Landscapes"
his landscapes are chiefly city pictures street
scenes. buildings. not landscapes at all, but for
chat reason none the less attractive Among
ahe most interesting Of the works which he sets
birth in the so-calied landscape class are paint
angs Of an "Old Georgetown Street" and Of the
VOld Russian Embassy" In Georgetown, famous
hs the one-time home Of the de Bodiscos. These
IRE extremely well drawn, admirably painted,
Dolorful. atmospheric and very direct pictures
NJ much more than passing interest, both sub
Necdveiy and artistically. He shows also a pic
aare Of the Castle of Chillon; he gives glimpse
NJ Paris bookstalls and Of street in Berlin, all
M which indicate sensitiveness to beauty and
b command Of medium
) The unique feature of his exhibit however
% group Of three paintings Of the theater-
Npne entitled "Entr' Acte," showing three ballet
WAncers; others entitled Marietta" and RE
aearsaL" These all as unusual In both SUBJ
Dect matter and treatment as are mrs. Hoovers
Romantic Decorations" "Entr' Acte" par
RkuaEiy has the Eghtness and the suggestion Of
EAat which is trenSit0Fy. movement and per-
ngme. O bouquet Of flowers.
n Probably neither Mr. nor Mrs. Hoover enter
&Mn The belief that they have aS yet arrived"
o. that their works represent the fun measure
.SM their capabiity, and e h this fact which
&nds charm and interest. There IL, after all.
Snsthing more aluring than the adventure q
Faith. when It 10 Conducted with sincerity and
kAofff so~f - A.