Evening star., 1934-02-04

Of New York In 1897 he went abroad and
studied painting under Sorolla, in Spain. and
Albert Bernard in Paris. No wonder he COM
mands his medium! Indeed, Immediately upon
taking up etching Washburn scored success.
This was in 1908, and ever since he has etched
industriously, enthusiastically and made steady
progress. He has done landscapes, architec-
tural themes, groups. He has fully famarized
himself with the works of the master etchers.
He has tried various methods. His etchingS
made in Siam are very delicate and light
flooded, almost without shadow Those made
in Mexico are vigorous in line strong in feel
ing. He takes great pains to secure just the
right kind of paper upon which to print his
etchings tinting it himself in order to enhance
effect. He never ceases experimentation; he is
always striving to attain greater goal. Mr.
Washburn has Travelled extensively and had
many adventures. During the World War he
carried dispatches in Asia. In Siam he was
admitted to places and buildings from which
foreigners had heretofore been excluded In
the South Seas he cruiSed alone IN small boat
with only dog for companion. He has lately
returned to this country from prolonged stay
in Spain. Examples of his works in all the
leading print collections here and abroad
They are indeed. covetabe possessions This
exhibition will be view until the last Of
the month
! streets and Constitution avenue, is now to be
seen an exhibition of decorative and represent
ative works Of art by the Soudanese and Bantu
tribes of the West Coast of Africa. There
are examples in metal wood clay fibre leather
and ivory revealing amazing variety, and all
these objects are characterized by marked sense
of design. seemingly instructive with primitive
people. The layman will probably find interest
in this exhibition from two points of view:
there are objects which, because of their in
trnsic beauty cannot fail to appeal to all but
there are others which, however remarkable
as craft works. are nevertheless alien to our
tastes and of interest chiefly from the ethno-
logical and anthropological viewpoints. In
the former class would seem to belong such
diverse items belt of green. white and
yellow beads; an elaborately carved ivory tusk
the tip of which has been metamorphised into
a seated figure; European cigarette tins covered
with native leather, one trimmed with fur;
baskets and mats of woven straw and among
the masterpieces of decorative work, a faScinat-
ing little procession, composed of miniature
metal figures a native chieftain smoking long
pipe being carried in his hammock, attended
by his wives and servants bearing parasolS,
trunks, stools and other personal possessions.
There is much life and movement in this
group, and a marked sense of humor in the
poses and gestures. The second classification
would seem TO include all the horrific human
and animal masks, remarkable though they
are; figurineS in carved wood, and various
items of daily or ceremonial use to the tribes
which owned them.
Just before this exhibition was opened in the
National Museum there closed at Howard Uni
versty an exhibition of Bushman paintings
from South Africa, circulated by the American
Federation of Arts through the courtesy of the
Carnegie Corporation of New York One strk-
ing feature common to both the West and South
African art is the fact that representations of
animals are more realistic than those of human
beings. One of several explanations given for
this peculiarly is that when single race or
tribe occupies large territory the native artist
any symbol for human being which
will consequently mean fellow man" to all who
see it, but it is necessary for the native artist
to draw animals more carefully in order that
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