Evening star., 1934-11-04
Notes of Art and Artists
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS.

TINE Walters Gallery, Baltimore,
after being closed for five short
months, reopened yesterday,
L transformed, as by magic
wand, from an art lovers
nightmare to dream Of bliss, This
remarkable change was wrought
rearrangement and thus this little gal
lery has become in itself an outstand-
ing exhibit Of the great art of display,
an art developed largely and notably
in the last double decade.
Since the Walters Gallery was
erected by the late Henry Walters to
house the collections that he had ac-
quired it has been a treasury of riches
but treasury SO overfull that it has
bewildered the visitor and left him
brain-fagged and fatigued. Now, with
great many of the exhibits removed
and those remaining Interestingly sup
plemented and arranged, 1t takes on
quite a different air, on the instant de-
lights the eye and through its at
mosphere induces lingering.
The change manifeStS itself imme-
diately upon entrance. The main hall
or court, to and from which the stairs
ascend and around which the gal
leries are grouped, is clear and open
and the exhibits set forth therein seem
to belong rather than to be on display.
This court is given over to Greek and
Roman sculptures in the round and in
high relief. Greek vases lend touch
of color and strong emphasis, but not
too much. The effect is very spacious
but restrained. There is abundance
10 see. but nothing seems to cry for at
tention. And how engagingly these
works are displayed-how delightful to
search them out for oneself! Here
are panels sculptured in high relief
from tombs of the second century.
Illustrating the great stories of Greek
antiquity, with, however, the decora-
tive motive never relegated to second
place. Here are excellent Roman
copies of statues sculptured by Poly
kletoS and Praxitiles-an athlete and
satyr-the latter found in Antium
and at one time in the Mengarini pal
ace. Here, in cases set back against
the wall, are exquisite little heads and
small bronzes, modelled as only great
artists can model, with sensitive touch
and infinite knowledge. And let note
be made here and now that rich as
are the Walters collections, their
greatest wealth and distinction are
to be found in the little exhibits, of
rare and delightful quality-exhibits
which usually elude the museum buyer
or are passed by despite the fact that
they are pregnant with the spirit Of
the age that brought them forth.
The two first galleries to the left Of
the main court are devoted to the art
of Egypt. And what an amazing art
it was Here are limestone statuettes
dating back before the figure was
stylized, a natural unconventional pose
being Transcribed in a very small f1g-
ure. Then there are portrait heads
produced during the great period OF
the eighteenth dynasty, some in lime
stone, some in black basalt, but very
individualistic. In some instances
there are figures in pairs and interest
ingly youthful. In one case all that
remains of the second figure, presum-
ably the wife, is the hand resting on
the mans shoulder.
In the third gallery of this tier are
to be found works by Etruscans, early
Italic and late Roman origin. Most
striking here, and memorable, Is an
Offering Table" bronze frame work,
covered with rich patina. This is
on wheels which still turn, though
made many centuries before the Chris