Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-30

high craftsmanship appeals TO sight
and touch Makes its bid, as well, upon that
sense OF harmony that. in some measure every
enc possesses and seeks, insttnctfvey, 20 tristry
AS mere object this volume is distinct pleasure
Ealgen NeuhauS teacher and lecturer on the
subject of American art. Is also fortunately, an
enthusiast besides. Both competent ana elo-
uuent in respect to it. Evidence is abundanty
in hand.
The immediate purpose of this undertaking
Is to provide a book for students Of advanced
rank and for readers generally who interested
in American art meet lack of available and
comprehensive authority in discouragement OF
any considerable quest along that lime.
The study is, in substance, historical and
analytical with a touch of forecast for
-good-by."
AS history it traces the growth and spread
of American art Beginning at the Atlantic
Coast where art first showed itself in America
as q gift or an achievement almost wholly
borrowed from Europe, the record follows the
slow course westward Of the empire OF Amer
lean genius. A course. IN one sense, hardly yet
begun But already the diffusion is sufficiently
widespread to demonstrate that the entire coun-
try is contributing with vigor and ability TO the
future of the United States a force in the
manifold developments of modern art. A touch
of local pride, young and engaging touch,
drives the author to defense of the West ana
the Pacific Coast itself as no mean agents in
the promotion of American painting and al
lied arts.
Names CT artists and their work from "Our
Primitiyes' to the modern illustrators set the
physical bounds of the study. Within these
vivid descriptions and clearly competent analy-
sss set of leaders from period to period. and
define the various schools" rising from dn-
ferent conceptions Of art different modes Of
approach. different measures Of capturing
ideals of beauty by way OF paint and other me-
diums Of pictorial recording.
The work is not only beautifully illustrated
but it projects also most helpfuliy organized
system of Illustration. One that contributes
step by step to the text itself as definite expo
sition OF the theme. These pictures. grouped
or alone. stand as chapters in the history Of
American painting. They stand as insignia Of
the various schools that have risen throughout
the country They stand measurable OBJ
jectives Of artistic ideals and individual leader
ship.
precious book-quite that in even the
coolest calculation. American art viii develop
its finest flower only II it looks forward and
learns to trust, to follow its own impulses, its
own vision"
THE SONS OF MRS. AAB. BY Sarah Ger
trude MiIlin author Of MARY Glenn" etc.
New York: Horace Laveright
I lERE Is occasion for regretting too free q
J use Of praise in respect to lesser achieve
ments than this new novel by Sarah Gertrude
MilItn. One wishes for fresh unused words Of
appreciation for The Sons Of Mrs. Aab," q
splendid story on one OF the bitterest most
lamentable Of themes. The power Of the weak
over the strong. That's the story. An up
standing son who spends his life in the hope
less and unyouthfuI business of supplying .
mother with ways Of INDUCING half-wit boy
his brother. The diamond diggings of South
Africa provide setting for years Of work that
hold only glimmers of hope that tomorrow
and tomorrow-win turn out genuine sinner,
a second Hope diamond" But of course no
such day dawns for this outstanding and
handsome man reaching eagerly for life while
he. always and unfailingly, handles only dis
appointment in the field and meets only the
terrible life at home.
The African setting of this tragic story is
as infinitely conceived and as broadly projected
as If ii, IN itself, were the chief Of this
gifted woman's art. The landscape, the ma
tives the outlanders, the increasing score Of
half-breed babies, the excited expectations Of
diamond yields that never yield The slow
settling 70 a monotone Of mind and action,
deeper degradation on its way. And in the
center Of this young Gideon Aab with his
mother and her idiot son. core Of her heart,
apple Of her eye. Not only willing, but
ious to sacrifice Gideon through that familiar
hypnosis Of mother love" oh, litter story,
gTfiling Its way word by word into the readers
revolted realization Of the hideousness Of life,
some Of the awfulness Of life. Why not leave
the book? Because that Is hardly possible.
It's quality. first Of truth a verifiable hui
man document, will not let one 60 Again, its
workmanship is Of so surprising order rs
TO command an absorbed attention for itself
alone. The two together serve art literary
art, striving today TO register the human in
one Of his agonizing moments Of outreach and
defeat. Here Is story for you'll that is what
you are really looking for. Dedicated to ''Taeo-
dore Dresser" He must be proud Of that and
should be. For here Is a realist Of big and
tragic genius.
THE OPENING OF A DOOR. BY George
Davis. New York: Harper e. Bros
DEADRG The Opening OF a Door" get an
~ impression Of having written it myself
Oddly, too there is in this Illusion Of trans