Evening star., 1934-12-02
COMMENT ON CURRENT EXHIBITIONS:
PENIN0 tomorrow in the
Smithsonian Building under
the auspices Of the Division
Of Grapic Arts, United States
National Museum, an exhibi-

National Museum, an exhibi-
ton Of prints. water colors and draw
ings by Clifford Beal should prove of
unusual interest because Of the dis
tinction OF the artist and the diversi-
fed character of his works.
To the Washington art-loving pub
lie. Clifford Beal is no stranger. Not
only have his paintings b<-o seen from
time to time In exhibitions at the
Phillips Memorial Gallery, but quite
a number of his more important can
vases are included In this gallery's
own collection. Invariably Mr. Beal
Is represented in the Corcoran Gallery
OF Arts biennial exhibitions. in one
of which, comparatively recently, he
won. by his Circus Performer" one
Of the much coveted Clark prizes.
But not before have We had the op-
portunity Of seeing so comprehensive
collection Of Mr.. Beals etchings, and
to see them in conjunction with his
studies in water color is an additional
privilege.
Primarily Mr.. Beal is a painter. and
despite his skill in handlirg the etch-
ing needle the painter quality domi-
mates his etchings. 1t Is not line but
mass that attracts him, and that he
employs to significant effect. Obviously
his outlines are strong-he is an ex-
cellent draughtsman-he knows bet
ter than most the value of silhouette,
but when it comes to the etched line
1t is chiefly in the aggregate that
under his hand it acquires meaning.
To an extent this distinguishes his
work, sets it apart and makes it in
dividual. An excellent example of
this characteristic at its best is to be
found in the etching. THE Prov"
sailing vessel cutting its way through
a rough sea with porpoises leaping
ahead through the waves. In this
plate through a dexterous use of null
tiple line the etcher has given an ex-
traordinary effect Of motion, and the
rhythm of the leaping fish and the
swinging waves is very impressive
But it should be remembered that
this Is not all. Mr. Beal's art, re-
gardless of the medium used. almost
invariably concerns itself with the
drama of life. The world that he sets
forth in most instances is peopled.
not by the idle and merely orna-
mental, but by those who work
toilers of land and sea. This almost
elemental human touch is very ap-
pealing. 1t has been truly said that
the most interesting exhibit to man
is man, and especially when man is
at work. Witness the crowds that
gather on the outskirts of building
operations. Both in etching and in a
drawing in this exhibition Mr. Beal
will show a figure of a swordflsher-
man in the act of spearing fish
The action is excellent. the power and
skill Of the spearman obvious to all
The difference in quality between the
drawing and the etching is also in
teresting, the former. to the writer,
having the greater spontaneity.
It is apparently not unusual for
Mr.. Beal to draw, etch and paint
the same subject. Possibly this may
be accounted for by interest In theme,
but presumably there is the desire
for experimentation to the end of
greater achievement, more perfect
"Fisherman's Daughter" and Fisher
man With Basket" are particularly
strong and engaging-great char
acterizations. OF exceptional quality
also are his compositions such as
1.-THE Net Wagon" Hauling Nets"
THE Hay Wagon" Gathering Brush,
Central Park" proving erroneous the
supposition that subjective interest Is
detrimental to work of art and
presenting scenes not easily forgotten.
Mr.. Beal has by no means found
al of his subjects on the coast or
among fishermen. The circus has
provided him with considerable
number. and how this series of prints
appeals to the perennial child in us
all! Who but the very forsaken could
fail to be attracted and held by his
transcription of Circus Parade" and
Grand Entry?" Included in this
exhibition will be a lithograph of the
trapeZe performer which, as q paint
ing, won a Clark medal in the Cor
coran biennial.
Turning to the water colors, of
which there are 16 one feels q greater
element of experimentation little
less sureness of touch or command
OF medium, but no less individuality.
In this group are included a few un-
peopled landscapes, such as After
noon, Wingasheek," bay and sandy
beach seen over grass-grown dunes
and under q very charming partly
clouded sky. Quite a number of these |
seem to have been painted at or near
Gloucester, but are not the usual
boat and wharf subjects. In every
instance the color is fresh, If not |
intense, and would seem to have |
flowed freely from a full brush. |
When figures appear it is as though
A feature Of this group of paintings |
will be found to be several full-length |
figure studies done almost as fashion
plates on white paper and without |
costume studies rendered, |
so far as texture goes, with con-
sumate skill. And how delightful |
that an artist should allow himself |
such little excursions into the |
Mention has already been made Of |
one Of the four drawings that will be |
shown, all Of which are delightful. |
In this day Of disregard for drafts
these are the more signif1- |
cant, with their fortnight manner |
and directness. There Is always q
temptation to compare the work Of
one artist with that of another, q
which perhaps should be |
But to say that Clifford |
Beals drawings and etchings at their |
best bring reminiscently to mind the
works of Homer and Bellows, which |
they do not in the least resemble, is |
merely an acknowledgment Of
and virility emitting to con-
sideration in the best of company.
One may get by with q mediocre
painting because Of color, but an
etcher can not afford to stumble.
This exhibition will continue
through the month Of December.
n
THE special sales exhibition Of work
L produced by artists formerly en-
ployed under the Public Works Of Art |
Project, which opened in the Corcoran
Gallery of Art November 4 and closes
Today, has proved successful. BY the
= 4