Evening star., 1934-05-16
B|DD[E ATTACKS
FARMING MURAL
Public Works Art ASsaiIed
and Defended Before
Federation.

The attack on the discussed
Department of Agriculture mural. IA
cetiously dubbed Ladies in Cheese
cloth, was taken up today by George
Biddle, nationally known painter, in
an address at the twenty-fifth annual
convention of the American Fedora
ton of Arts.
Describing it, he said: "Semi-clad
pseudo Greek ephebes recline against
pseudo classic trees and garlanded
bullocks drag behind them what en-
phatically are not modern harvesters. "
Out of curiosity" he continued, II
should like to know the cost of this
work to the Treasury Department. 1t
dates almost centuries ago, to the age
of vendibilk-ly and the American
artists escape from life"
Called Scrap Book Piece.
Last night Forbes Watson, technical
director of the public works of art
project, said it was "a scrap book
piece of work, something to fill in
space and not a true perturbation of
American agriculture"
The huge mural, authorized during
the last administration and painted by
Gilbert White, has been alternately
condemned and defended by Govern
ment officials, with Secretary of Agri-
culture Wallace its chief champion.
Mr.. Biddle praised highly the pub
lie works of art project as taking art
from the collectors and giving it to
the people.
President Roosevelt's administra-
ton has helped to start what may
turn out to be renaissance in Amer
ican art" he declared.
The project has done more than
tide some 1000 artists over a cold
Winter, the speaker explained. He
said it has made the artist conscious
of the fact that he is Of service to the
community, that he fills a necessary
function in our social life. 1t has
shown the country that art can be
both sectional and democratic. The
Government owns now some 1000
works of art and different sectional
communities have completed some 500
mural projects. This has taken art
away from the collector and given 1t
to the people"
Urges Popular Appeal.
He spoke disparagingly Of art which
does not appeal to popular democratic
understanding and urged artists to
take part in the social development OF
their communities. The Importance
of the serviceability Of art to the COM
munity was stressed.
Art, he said, should not be luxury
but should be an expression of ideals
and an influence on the people
Last night Mr.. Watson discussed
two other pictures about which there
has been much public discussion: He
said the painting by Paul Cadmus,
"The Fleets In," which Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt re-
fused to accept for his department.
was "a highly overrated piece of ART" ?"
He said, however, it gave better idea
of "the natural instincts OF sailors"
than another P. w. A. P. painting
showing midshipmen at attention on
the deck of battleship.
He said "The Portrait Of a Young
Man" by Julius Block. which Mrs.
Roosevelt selected as the finest tn the
P. w. A. P. exhibit. is not the finest
and is a "tame" though sincere ex-
preston. This painting is destined
to hang in the White House.
Those scheduled to speak today, be-
sides Mr. Biddle, include W. M. Mill
ken, director of the Cleveland Mu-
scum of Art; Edward B. Rowan, di-
rector Of the Little Gallery. Cedar
Rapids, Iowa; Allen Eaton of the Rus
sell Sage Foundation and Rene
d'Ha-noncourt, director Of the fed
eration's radio program.
Mrs. Roosevelt will speak at din
ner this evening.