Evening star., 1935-05-05

about 10 years ago In Egypt and have
oot heretofore been exhibited In WASH
ington. That they should be shown in
the National Museum under the aus
pices Of the National Gallery Of Art
Is peculiarly fitting, inasmuch as they
have both artistic and scientific sig
nificance. As chronological studies they
have meaning for the scientists and
Is very beautiful drawings they like
wise have q message for the art stu
dent. These portrait studies Of an
ancient but, to US, alien people have
been made by Mr.. Stratton with evi-
dent sympathy and understanding. He
has not merely sought and set down
that which was picturesque, but has
given insight into thought and charac-
ter. These people he has portrayed
must, to him, have been more than
models; to them he must have been
drawn by q cord of common sympathy
brotherhood. Not only Is this the
spirit found to underlie his work, but
to motivate it, and 1t is in this that
we find that kinship with the great
art of the past which makes In the
long run for unity. To register . like
ness is the part Of machine, to In
terpret character that Of an artist.
Furthermore, there Is no self-con-
sciousness In these drawings. The
artist has without doubt forgotten
himself In his capacity as interpreter.
And yet he Is skilful and obviously
well trained. Mr.. Stratton has not
followed any one method In these
drawings. Sometimes he has used full
color and sometimes his drawings are
almost in monotint. But almost al
ways he has chosen unusual light
effects and has employed shadow as an
element in his design. Also ut times
he brings In significant accessories.
The "Stone Carrier in the Temple Of
Luxor" is seen with great rock on
his shoulder, powerfully bearing its
weight; the shepherd" is pictured
with q sick lamb In his arms; the
Donkey Driver" with the patient little
beast ct his side. Most interesting
and In delightful contrast are THE
Peasant Patriarch" with his staff and
burden. grave and strong. and b young
boy squAtting against white wall, the
embodiment Of the younger generation
In The East"
Howard Fremont stratton counted
for many years among his friends
Joseph Pennell, who was 4 fellow
student ut the Pennsylvania Academy
Of Fine Arts in the days when Thomas
EAkins was the instructor In figure
painting. Later Mr.. stratton identi-
fed himself with the Pennsylvania
Museum School Of Industrial Art, Of
which he became and for many years
served as director. It was through
his influence that the first travelling
scholarships for the study Of the in
dustrial arts In Europe were inaugu-
rated, and It Is interesting to know
that one Of these scholarships was
won by John r. Sinnock, now chief
medAlist at the United States Mint in
Philadelphia. Also that some Of the
wrought iron and stained glass which
beautify our Warrington Cathedral
are the work Of former pupils Of How
ard Fremont Stratton.
In making the Egyptian drawings
now on view, Mr.. 6tratton's chief OBJ
ject, he declares. was to show the
qualities Of dignity and self-respect
50 manifest In the native peasants.
He found 1t comparatively easy to
trace resemblance to the ancient no.
bles OF the kingdom. Among these
toilers, he says, he occasionally saw
young Phasaohs IN heroic poses. HIS