Evening star., 1933-12-10

by Dorsey Potter Tyson of Baltimore.
To say that they are charming artis-
tic in the extreme, completely out OF the or
dinary is not enough; they are enchanting,
brilliant rare. They sparkle with color, but
they are in no instance crude. They are oo-
yious and at the same time subtle full OF sub
jective interest, yet above all. feast TO the
eve All have narrow red lacquer frames WIN
rounded corners, frames which perfectly sut
these prints and give a CLINT of Christmas fes-
tivity to the Arts Clubs stately drawing room
All of these prints save two are of figures
One of these exceptions Is entitled emma
Bridge" and shows one of the rounded bridges
of China over deep quiet stretch OF water,
profound in its effect of silence and calm the
other, entitled Bright Sails" is CT picturesque
Chinese boats.
The Feast of Lanterns" is perhaps of all
the most important, group OF figures beautifully
disposed with bright glowing lanterns dangling
overhead "The Favorite" is of woman in
Oriental dress reaching up toward gay colored
birds in tree overhead -macaws, cockatooS
love-birds. 1.-THE Joy Ride" is merry theme
two young Chinese girls being wheeled by a
young gallant in a wheelbarrow. "The Jade
Market" shows two ladies examining the wares
of street merchants Peacock Fan" Is single
figure exquisitely rendered The Concert"
group of three figures playing different instru-
nients.
But what makes these works different
Is not only the originality of the artist and the
originality of his method of approach, but the
CXquisiteness with which he renders line and
employs color. He is an extraordinarily skillful
craftsman; his line is sensitive, just sufficiently
bitten, beautifully flowing and rhythmical. He
has rare color sense, an ability to combine
colors in a perfectly harmonious whole, RETAIN
ing their individual freshness and beauty.
and what is more, Mr.. Tyson has rendered
these Oriental subjects with very remarkable
understanding of Oriental art. and yet without
the least suggestion of imitation. One finds
here the feeling of the Orient as seen through
Occidental eyes and yet truly seen.
This fascinating group of 16 etchings in color
+. shown here through the courtesy OF the
Grand Central Galleries, New York.
The gallery at the Arts Club is given over
! at the present time to the exhibition of
ctchings by members of the Philadelphia So
ciety of Etchers shown in the Newman GAL
leTies, Philadelphia, last January and since on
tour. There are good names in the catalogue
ard good prints on the walls. but the average
is not high and the first impression visitor
receives is unfavorable. Probably this must
always be SO of any exhibition set forth by pro-
fessional group-the strong must stand with
the weak and, as there are fewer strong than
weak, the average falls. But, on the other
hand, there is certain interest and gratifica-
ton in seeking out ones own favorites and
confirming ones Judgment by the number of
ones right guesseS.
There is particular virtue in medium
unless it is well used. To produce a good
etching the etcher must have not only tech
nical skill but imagination, originality, vision,
or his work will not signify Just what these
qualities are it is hard to describe but the good
p int stands out as Enthusiastically the WORK
of the master in any other medium
For example one may or may not like the
, works of John E. Costigan. But no one who is
sensitive to work Of art viii fail to recognize
Costigans ability, the fact that he is not only
a painter but an etcher. and q very good Ole.
H, is admirably represented in this exhibition
by two characteristic works, one, "The Bathers,''
particularly charming.
Martin Lewis is another etcher who almost
invariably achieves success, in fact whose plates
are supremely fine. He has two which may
be counted among his best in this exhibition.
One is a street scene in New York, two girls
at . crossng another of q young boy half
scared in the dark. Better than almost any
e'se. Martin Lewis has interpreted New
York street scenes and produced striking city
nccsu. mes. His blacks uncommonly velvety
AMI deep his lights dazzling il their intensity.
K2.r Eby shows a placid bit of Connecticut
CO.. ltcr. Turkey HILL" finely etched; Philip
X 73l che of his characteristic boats at sea,
- 1crs Full" in which the sense of onward
= n. of roll : and toss, of the weight Of
er. is admirably represented
Wlli3n Auerbach-Levy's portrait studies
il cri:-o'y interesting Those in this exhibi-
ten are exception.
T,o3- lie Il Osk, a new name the list,
shows portrait of an old man with mufler,
a cornnsndable piece of work Charming. in
de-d. ere two etchings by Margery Ryerson of
a mother and child rendered with much feel
irg AMI great skill-sent;ment but of a kind
which does not deteriorate into sent!mentality.
Levou West shows two of his characteristic
Western scenes, one of a SKIER Elizabeth
ONeill Werner of Charleston is represented by
typical Southern subject. Chauncey Ryder
Slows one of his inimitable landscapes in which
ranttch ic cnid hxrc L.