Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-03-03
Art Notes
Continued From Page ~

DSIS IldS kllcL Ii hAo ILCdtiiiCAe Va AdC-
ing sloops and pleasure sail-craft can
be traced directly to the care with
which he has combined high artistic
ability and a thorough appreciation
of the fine points Of yacht rigging and
yacht handling. His work can bear
the close scrutiny Of the art critic and
yachtsman alike, without apology"
The fact is that Soderberg is lover
of the sea and yacht-racing enthu-
Siast And back Of this enthusiasm
is knowledge and respect for his art.
as the Rainbow and the Endeavour
have served him as subjects, but he
has portrayed them not merely as
racers but because of their sheer
beauty. Mr.. Soderberg's line is very
sensitive, his touch light, his effects
high-keyed. Other etchers Of boats
have way of picturing the sails from
the shady side, dark against water or
sky. Not so Mr.. Soderberg. The
sails he shows us are almost inva-
riably in blaze of sunlight, dazzling
white. AS a rule also, the water in
his etchings, while it has movement
and life, has none of the weight and
force that is seen in those, let us say
for example, by Woodbury.. And this
is we'll, for the sea has many moods,
and that which he most frequently
portrays exactly suits his subjects.
That Soderberg's reputation as an
etcher does not rest solely upon his
yachting subjects Is evidenced in this
exhibition by the excellence of other
themes no less ably handled. as for
instance Down South" which pic
lures typical Negro cabin in Georgia
or Florida, with its picturesque sur
roundings. However, when all is said,
it is undoubtedly as an etcher of sail
ing craft and for his transcriptionS
Of exciting, thrilling moments in this
most fascinating sport of yacht rae
ing that he will always be most es-
teemed. This exhibition continues
to March "a.
A N EXHIBITION entitled of With
Their Heads" caricatured by
Peggy Bacon of celebrities in the
world Of finance, art, music, opened in
the Art League of Washington. 1903
Twenty-f1rst street, the first of March
to continue throughout the month
These are the originals of series of
portraits reproduced in a book of the
same name as the exhibition. which
has Just come from the press. The
drawings are in charcoal little under
life size. The book is dedicated to
THE faces I love-" but if this is the
way Peggy Bacon treats her beloved
friends. heaven help her enemies! For
coarser, more vulgar, repulsive set of
drawings could not be found than
these. Apparently, the artist has not
only seen what was worst in the peo-
pie she has portrayed. but nothing
that was good. There is, in the whole
lot. not a redeeming feature-and if
this is funny let those laugh who will.
The great caricaturists of the past
were not Of this type. They were in
flnitely more subtle. They interpreted,
sharply enough it is true, mental atti-
tudes. character. There is nothing
subtle about these drawings and ap-
parently, on the part of the subjects.
no mentality whatsoever. Looking at
these drawings one may recall. per-
chance, something that William Howe
Downs wrote some years ago about an
exhibition of sculpture by George
Gray Barnard. noted for his origi-
nality and vigor as we'll as fearlessness.
1T reminds U.s." he said, "of the Cos
pei that man is made in the image of
God that his capacities are God-like
- It reminds us that life spells
opportunity; that life is full of I'M
Speakable beauty; and that we live
much or little as We love much or
little" And this had to do with sculp-
ture so essentially virile as II Feel
Two Natures Within Me-" purchased
by the Metropolitan Museum Of Art.
Accompanying this collection Of
portraits is group of vignettes by the
same artist which places her sitters
(does one sit for caricature, or must
it be done when one is off guard?)
in their habitual environment-an art
ist at his easel. writer at his desk.
musician playing. etc. These are
much more subtle in character and
skilfull in rendering. There is also a
series OF drawings or euCnlngS OF all
sorts of people-the woman who sits
opposite you in the subway. the one
you see on the park bench and those
others who you do not see if you can
help tan ugly, degenerate, sorry
world.
At the same time that the Peggy
Bacon drawings and prints are ex-
hibited at the Art League (they have,
by the way, just been shown in the
Franklin Institute, PHILADELPHIA there
will also be shown drawings and plans
Of very modern houses by Henry
Klumb, and paintings, modernistic
and abstract. by Katherine Munroe,
all Of this city.