Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-17
ARTIST PRAISES WOMEN OF US.
AS MOST BEAUTIFUL IN WORLD
RodoIphe Kiss, Noted Hunga-
rian, Finds Interesting Face
Their Strong Point.
Has Painted Portraits of So
ciety Leaders on Three
Continents.
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.

A dark-haird young man, with the
keen appraising eyes Of an artist and
connoisseur, settled himself in a deep
chair in his studio room at the May
flower and with eloquent gestures of
his hands praised American woman
hood
II have painted the portraits of love-
ly women in the countries of three
continents" he said, land in my opin-
ion the American woman is the most
beautiful in the world. Not only Is she
beautiful, but she has charm and per-
sonality, without which beauty is
empty. She has without exception the
finest figure OF any women in the world,
and added to her beauty Of face and
form she has grace"
Rodolphe Kiss. Hungarian artist of
international note and pupil of Philip
Lazslo. leading portrait painter of Hun
gary. has brought his fattering opinion
of Americas fair sex to Washington
after a five-month tranScontinental
tour of the country, during which time
he has closely studied and painted
American women in the theater at the
opera and, at closer range, in society
Have Interesting Faces.
lone thing that makes the American
woman outstanding in her beauty"
continued the artist, sis her interesting
face. would far rather paint an in
teresting face, than a beautiful one.
In fact, the artist can always see
beauty in an interesting face, although
beautiful face is not always interest
ing. An American woman Is interest
ing because she has many interests.
She is so intelligent and so active
there Is little chance for her to be
dull"
Few are better qualified to pass upon
the merits of feminine beauty than
Mr.. Kiss. Not only has he preached
canvas. but he has practiced what he
preached and married one.
Mrs. Kiss, the daughter of German
nobleman, has been famed for her
beauty in Buenos Aires since her ar
rival as little girl with her parents
in the Argentine capital.
Mrs. Kiss is renowned not only for
her beauty, but has gained considerable
fame as a horsewoman in the South
American republic.
Relative to painting the portraits of
beautiful women, the Hungarian artist
remarked:
ITO paint a beautiful portrait, the
artist must have the ability to paint
the personality Of his subject-not
merely the features. There can be more
beauty in fleeting expression than in
a magnificent cameo-like face.
Exhibiting Since 18th Year.
"A charming woman is beautiful. An
interesting woman is superb. A beauti-
full woman who has neither charm or
intelligence is empty. I would rather
paint a beautiful flower. 1t is sad to
see beauty without meaning. 1t is such
a sorrowful waste"
Mr.. Kiss has exhibited since his
thirteenth year. At that time, he
amazed the Hungarian capital by an
exhibition of three portraits-his
mother, little girl friend and himself.
Later at the age Of 10. he exhibited
In London, remaining there for two
years. during which time he painted
many members Of the English nobility.
In his own country he painted King
Charles and the Queen Zita, before
their abdication.
The King was one of the finest char
acters ever knew" he said. Queen
zita is one of the most impressive
women ever painted"
During the revolution in 1919 Mr..
Kiss was forced to leave Hungary, hav-
ing been a painter OF the aristocracy
and, as such, an enemy of the Com
muniStS.
Since that time ne has lived In vari-
Gus capitals Of Europe, and for the past
five years has made his home in Buenos
Aires. He came to this counary five
months ago, and was invited to paint
the portraits Of several prominent per-
sons on the West Coast. Mrs. William
McAdoo was among those he painted
while in California.
While in Washington the Hungarian
painter will be entertained by Count
and Countess Szechenyi and members
of the Hungarian legation staff.