Evening star., 1934-03-18

afternoon In the foyer Oh Tie MA
tional Museum under the joint
auspices of the Carnegie Institution
of Washington and the Center Of Inter american
Studies of the George Washington University
The large collection of textiles constituting
this exhibition was assembled by Mrs. E. A.
Osborne of San Salvador, from whom 1t comes
to the National Museum as temporary loan
Primarily the collection illustrates the great
fertility in decorative design OF these Inolans
and their reaction to bright colorS More than
this however, it shows the natives high de-
yelopment in taste and amazing comprehension
OF decorative design and its use. These fabrics
were produced by the Indians OF rural Guate-
mala especially Of the highland regions, who
still speak their native language, practice their
own religion and carry on to a great extent lie
as it was lived by their ancestors before the
Spanish conquest. They are woven on primitive
looms by the women, who also embrolder and
decorate them, making their own designs or
adapting designs which have been handed down
through generations.
The first impression that visitor obtains on
entering this exhibition is of splendid color
and handsome pattern. Lingering to examine
them more closely, one finds these fabrics eX-
tremely well woven-handicraft carried to per-
fection-and discovers decoration put to most
suitable and excellent use. In many instances
the units of design birds and animals, even
possibly fish and reptiles and also people. In
every instance these representations are not
only conventionalized but styled and the
thought recurs concerning the spontaneity OF
such design produced without the least shade
of self-conSciouSneSS.
The Osborne collection Of Guatemalan tex
tiles is one of the largest and most complete in
existence It has undoubtedly been most care
fully chosen, but it is sufficiently varied to
testify with eloquence to the artistic gift of
the Guatemalans. Those who find delight in
pure color and its harmonious arrangement as
s.-kor aA 10 loo nd
their production will find this exhibition OF
extraordinary interest and significance. 1t Will
continue for some time
THE Associated Bell Telephone Camera Clubs,
! as announced last week, are holding an
exhibition of pictorial photographs in the
United States National Museums Arts and In
dustries Building section Of photography. The
clubs represented are those of Detroit, New
York and vicinity, including the Bronx; West
chester, Long Island ETC., and Washington. The
works shown are Of q high average Of merit
Generously represented and perhaps leading also
IN quality of work shown Is Edward Alenius
who shows not only very good work in black
and white but also two color prints, one OF
flowers and the other of fruit, produced by the
three-color bromon transfer method. OF these
two the fruit is the better truer in color and in
related values. Second, both in numerical rep
resentation and in quality Of work set forth Is
J. E. Rogers whose prints in almost every in
stance have impressive artistic quality not only
in composition but in the handling of light and
shade. Fred Hien shows an excellent portrait
study of Max Eastman From Guy Henderson
has come charming Interpretation of children
on q boat, Down the Bay" O. B. Hayward
shows among other things q fine pictorial rep
resentation of old house, Since 1914" in
which detail in shadow Is admirably dealt with.
There is an interesting pictorial presentation
a,otc Dol kxy and nj
engaging interpretations.
No one who uses camera intelligently rs q
medium of artistic expression can fail to de-
velop sensitive appreciation both for beauty
In nature and in art. Therefore, such work as
is shown in this exhibition has q double sig
niicance-that of the thing produced and Of
growing perception on the part u the producer.
After all, an enormous amount Of pleasure can
be found in riding q hobby, and among such,
few offer pleasanter riding than the hobby Of
pictorial photography-unless perchance it may
be that of print collecting.
A PROPOS of print collecting, there Is now
to be seen at Meegans Rare Book and
Print Shop, on Connecticut avenue, charming
group Of modern prints sent down from the
Print Corner Conducted by Mrs. Charles Whit
more), bingham Center, Mass. These are by
Roth Arms, Elizabeth Norton, Albert W. Barker
and Fabio Mauroner, the last Of Venice. The
two first named are exceptionally well known
as etchers Of architectural subjects chiefly, but
each with manner and style of his own. Roth
seems to show a preference for broad views,
Arms for minutia Of detail, but both completely
command their medium. Elizabeth Norton
specializes in animas-cats, dogs ard now
horses. She uses dry point at times, but wood
block to better advantage, and occasionally
resorts to color. Her prints calculated to
win popular approval without loss Of artistic
merit. One of two frisky colts in a pasture
10 oil Earl ns O