Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-11

Two recent holiday publications con-
tain such interesting references to
works of art here in Washington that
mention may suitably be made in
- these columns without it is thought,
infringing upon the rights Of the book reviewer.
These are background With Figures, Remmls-
cences of a Painter" by Cecilia Beaux, ana
John Elliott, the Story of an Artist oy MAUD
Howe Elliott. The former tells deIlgntIuhy
Of the painting of three portraits, those OF Car
Iiinai Mercier. Lord Beatty and Clemenceau,
included in the national war portrait COLLECTION
and hung at the present time in the foyer OF
the National Museum. The latter describes
most interestingly the painting OF the mural
Diana Of the Tides" by John Elilott' Wn'cn
has been given permanent placement In one OF
the great halls of the same public building
knowledge OF these facts not only adds interest
To the works and increases their significance,
but leads, 1t would seem, quite naturally 70
better understanding of art as whole
In the snrinp of 1919 a committee was formed
of men and women prominent IN the social ana
financial world with the purpose OF getting To-
Rether o series of portraits Of the outstanding
fiaures Of the war to be presented finally TO the
United States as the nucleus Of q national por-
trait gallery. To Miss Beaux's share fell the
portraits Of the three already mentioned I
realized" she says in her autobiography, the
responsibility of this undertaking very keenly
and felt that must approach 1t with knowl-
edge that there should I've brought to 1t much
more than my mere equipment as an artist
Great portraits Of great people are very rare
Art ID q jealous mistress when asked 70 DIVIDE
the hOnors with great personality, and refuses
TO wait ON the scant times and seasons sucn
persons are willing TO spare-hufT1eo nan bouts
here and there.
Even q vivid likeness, Snatched at an ar
fists strongest moment, and having the con-
yincing power of a few authoritative strokes,
always has some Of the impermament quality OF
an accident when it attempts to show the full
n
rare beings who defy ordinary standards. Each
of these is 20 men or more, and to give pos
terity any idea of their power by an appearance
static and material requires IN the appToacher
q conscious and just mind, no less tnan the
gods gift of subconscious force. am gao
that as approached my task was aware OF
this for at least had no doubt OF what should
be accomplished and so inspired could dare
anything, as does q good soldier, not thinking
Of possible or probable defeat"
This isl she adds, IAN apology. Whatever
Is lacking in the result-which, of course, fell
far behind my hopes-I may lay the story OF
my adventure, q small wreath among the heaped
tributes that lie along the pathway of the great
In all probability few will feel that Miss
Beaux has any occasion to apologize Tor THESE
really great portraits of great men.
When his eminence Cardinal MERCER,
Acheveque de Malines, was asked by our Min
lister, Brand whitlock, to allow Miss Beaux to
paint his portrait for the United States Gov
eminent he consented at once, and when Miss
Beaux arrived at the archiepiscopal palace,
armed with letters or Introduction, she was
made most Hospitality welcome, and every facil-
ity afforded her as by one who recognized the
dignity and demands Of art. Arrangements
were promptly made for the portrait to be
painted in one of the great halls Of the palace,
hail With high uncurtained wind6ws, an enor-
nous hole in the nigh ceiling roughly patched
up with lath, where a German shell had come
through. During the process Of choosing