Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-23

1Ax-fetched stxivings for the bizarre that has
been the ruin Of 20 many gifted artists Thus
ut times, when looking at one Of Fausta Mem
garini's works, We are reminded Of the words
Of Michelaneelo, who once said that when he
was working On the Moses he held an ancient
chisel in one hand and q modern hammer m
the other, conveying the idea Of tempered
harmony between ancient thought and modern
action-a harmony that is essential 10 the
realization Of his splendid idea Of beauty"
There is no doubt that this young Roman
artist has been tremendously influenced by
classical ideals and that she is essentially
realist, hence Il Is the more remarkable in this
day, when the tendency Is 10 discard tradition
and to decTy claSsicism. that her work should
have met with such universal approval and
patronage.
It Is an interesting fact, however, that
whereas the Italians have gone farther. than
any other nation in modernistic expression, they,
more than any other nation, have chung to ira
ditiOn, perhaps because 1t is In their blood and
to discard 1t would be impossible. But certainly
the ITALIAN moderniSts more than any others
have combined in their works skilhully and
significantly the old and the new. Signora
Mengarini is no modernist, but her works have
that strength and simplicity. that force and
verify for which the modernists are seeking, fire.
quently In vain.
Turning from the characteristics Of the
sculptors art to the art itself, 1t is to be noted
tu4b 1OE tt1e mOS6 part tnOSe whose pOTtra1tS
are set forth are men who have won special
distinction IN contemporary italian Hfe-such,
for instance, Is Mussolini, Lorenzo Allievi, the
great engineer: Prof o. Carini Renato Corte,
architect; Marshal Diaz-splendid subjects for
forceful pOrtTaiture, faces on which the strugs
gle for achievement, character, has made its
mark.
In interesting contrast are the portrait busts
Of three children-"Ariel" the artists son,
"Baby Head: her own small nephew. Romano"
and Master Impudence," pert young urchin
playfully modelled. These three heads are more
in the manner Of the Renaissance works, with
their smooth surfaces. their rounded corners
testifying to the artists sensitiveness both in
feeling and touch.
The bronze medallion, head Of the "Medusa."
according TO Arturo Gala, "vividly typihes one
Of the most striking poetical fantasies Of
Gabrielle DAnnunziO." But the subject Is not
q pleasing one, nor does 1t allow real latitude
for individuality Of expression.
sleeping Victory" and Dancing Girl" are
charming In themselves, but they seem some
what to lack vitality spring. This type Of work
seems, reasonably enough, not consonant with
this artists meter. No, without question, 20 is
in her portrait busts that Signora Mengarini
attains her greatest height In these she is prac-
tcally unsurpassed.
This exhibition win continue until April g.
A U0UsTUs VINCENT TACK has been COM
missioned 10 paint series Of decorative
panels for the reception room Of the Phillips
Memorial Gallery. This room. which has been
planned bat not yet constructed, win have a
barrel-vaulted ceiling the vault to be penetrated
On each side with walls providing space for dve