Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-08

essay on weston says that his STARK handling
of pigments condensed and intensified strong
primitive emotions which subtle craftsmanship
would have diluted" Mr. Weston, Hike Van
forth in his works strong primitive emotions.
Whether these are agreeable or not the indi-
yidual observer must decide for himself.
Harold Westcns technique 10 essentially dh-
ferent extraordinary. IL consists Of the use Of
broken, muddy color. His surfaces are never
lovely; there 10 no appeal to the touch. Pre-
sumably, he uses palette knife rather than
brush. But that is Of no consequence-the
result alone counts Mr.. Phillips truly says
that "in his technique Weston is a follower not
Of Van Gogh, but of ToulouSe-Lautrec whom
he also resembles IN his preference for dry
textures and tawny tones" 'Lautrec," he says,
was perhaps . better craftsman than Weston,
but he cared less about solidity and personal
expression"
Weston's work is essentially plastic and his
expression very personal. His chosen subjects
set forth IN this exhibition are his wife, his
child his home, his cat, his own breakfast
dishes. His work Is 50 strong and raw and
elemental that it ct first shocks the sensitive
observer, hut it does undoubtedly carry cOnvic-
ton. without any Of the amenities Of beauty
associated with the great art Of the past, 1t
expresses naked facts in q realistic manner
which borders on brutality. His art is without
question emotional It has not the power to
merely charm, enehant, uplift. It makes pas
stimulates sensation: il does not soothe. But
this painter does succeed in captivating and
setting forth the element Of vitality. A white
cat stretched out on the floor playing with
ball, every muscle tense, tail waving in air, Is
marvellous piece of Interpretation of a feline
creature. His pictures of his wife sleeping are
quiet but at the same time hving-of woman
who bfeatheS
There il real charm in two of his pictures Of
his home and one Of landscape, a mountain
view painted from his own window, despite
great simplihcation Of design and crudity Of
expression. His portrait Of Henry Sloane Coffin
is extremely interesting, though the quality Of
the flesh both of the face and of the hand Is
repulsive, unnatural. But there is no question
that he presents, with extraordinary under
standing forceful personality.
Among the water colOFS shown is one Of his
own hands when at work on a painting, well
drawn, strangely rendered; and one Of him.
self, or his shadow, ascending a staircase,
unique both IN composition and in treatment.
There IL doubt that Harold Weston Is,
despite his inheritance from Van Gogh, an
original personality, an artist Of exceptional
potentialities.
Mr.. Weston has been in washington during
the past week and gave talk at the Philips
Memorial Gallery last Thursday evening to q
group Of interested listeners.
TWO distinguished seulptOfs from California,
EttOre CadOrin and Haig Patigian, have
been in washington this week attending the
ceremonies incident to the unwilling of statues
which they have produced, respectively, Of
Father Junipero Sierra and the Rev. Thomas
Starr King, which were placed, as representing
the State Of California, In Statuary Han at
the Capitol March l.
Mr.. Cadorin, who contributed the figure Of
the famous mission priest IL an Italian, born
In Venice March l, 1876. The unwilling. there