Evening star., 1934-12-09

STIFF BREEZE" BY ELEAN(
PAINTINGS IN THE WASHINGTON
EXHIBITION AT THE CORCORAN
to Market" with his roosters. is a
well-done figure painting on a large
scale. La Force Bailey shows group
of figures entitled Mud Heads,
Provincetown," in a simple scheme
of greens and browns. "Signorina
Maria" by Frances Hungerford
Combs, is picturesque portrait study,
nearly life-size A large group of
figures is effectively ranged across
pond in Lila M. Cabaniss' Negro
Baptism" The preacher, knee
deep in the water. with raised arm.
establishes his little group as the
focal point.
The Washington Water Color Clubs
exhibition of prints includes examples
by such noted artists as John Taylor
Arms, a native of Washington; Kerr
Eby and Arthur Heintzelman. Many
types of prints are to be seen; etch-
ings, in color as we'll as black and
white; drypoints, block prints, wood
cuts, Autographs and aquatints,
Maintaining high standard of quail
ity. these prints cannot be dealt with
summarily. and will here be re-
viewed next Sunday.
::
THE American Society of Miniature
Painters charming exhibitions,
installed in cases in the southeast
corner gallery on the first floor Of
the Corcoran, will serve to con-
sohdate many already firm convic-
tions that this branch of art is Pc
culiarly adapted to present-day living
conditions. These jewel-like paint
ings, dainty and exquisite in form
and color, are of such size as to defy
the rapidly shrinking wall space of
the modern home and apartment, and
they are of such beauty as to chal-
lenge comparison with any other
esthetic creation in the spatial arts.
Nearly 100 miniatures are on view,
to remain throughout the month.
They are the work of 33 painters.
Mrs Elsie Dodge Pattee of New York,
president of the society, came to
Washington to install the exhibition.
Concerning this branch of art, she
said. as quoted in the Art Digest:
Painting in little does not lend
itself TO 'ismS.' But neither does
the sonnet form. Both are modes
of limitation, imposing precision,
clarity, explicitness. Within these
limits, however, the spirit can work
its way as surely as when it ranges
shouting through fenceleSS fields"
I'm portraiture," she continued,
'the inclination is the modern one.
toward informality of pose, realism
of setting and candor in presentment
of the Sitter's type. Contrary to a
popular fancy, the miniature is en-
tirely suitable, now as heretofore,
for the depletion of men," One of
the four portraits she has contributed
to the present exhibition amply dem
onstrates this statement: John R.
Pattee," a young man in formal
attire, shown in intimate surround
ings, even to a picture of the Par
thenon on his wall.
There are many other masculine
portraits in the current exhibition.
Among them is one of the late Chief
Justice Taft, by Grace H. Murray.
This is fine likeness. the subject in
his judicial robes, with shelves filled
with law books as a background. A
number of other portraits are of in
terest because of their connections with
Washington as well as their intrinsic
merit. An enchanting blond little
girl proves to be Peggy Ann Hoover,
granddaughter of the ex-President of
the United States. It was painted by
Clara Louise Bell. Another appealing
child portrait Is that of Jessie K. Muir
ray, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis
Newton Murray of Dunkirk, N. Y.
The mother was Miss Barbara Kauff-
mann of Washington. Mary McMil-
Ian. the artist, has captured most
tellingly this little girls lovely ex-
preston. She is clad in light blue
dress, which emphasizes her dark blue
eyes, and the chestnut color of her
hair is set off by the light brown of
the background.
Portraits predominant in this ex-
hibition, as might be expected, but
there are several landscapes. urban
scenes and some exceptionally fine
still life. The tour de force of the
current exhibition, perhaps, is NAL
the Hasselriis' Chinese Antique
Dealer" It is one of the largest
miniatures shown, possibly 6 by 4
inches, and depicts the dealer in
Oriental garments, standing between
a showcase and a counter. The cab
met behind him is filled with rare
Chinese ceramics, each an exquisite
bit of still life painting, rendered with
minute fidelity. Artemis Tavshang-
ian's "Still Life" with bits of antique
Greek or Roman glass, is an equally
marvellous rendering, although it in
cludes only few objects.
Lydia Longacre exhibits two por-
traits, and is herself the subject of
two, one by Rosina Cox Boardman,
the other by Mabel r. WEIGH. Girl
in White" by Annie H. Jackson, is
a charming example of open air por-
traiture It gives the effect of out
door sunlight very successfully.
In view of the extremely high level
of achievement of these miniature
painters, it seems invidious to mention
so few. Whatever demands this
month makes upon resident of WASH
ington, this exhibition should be on
the must" list.
X X X \
MISS LEILA MECHIIN, who Is
A'A now director Of Southern Art
Projects, an organization having
headquarters In Washington, went to