Evening star., 1935-10-20
By Leila Mechhn.


ing to be erected in Washington, not
only to house his valuable collection OF
paintings. but to serve as National
Gallery Of Art, was great news-the
greatest in this field for many years.
Furthermore, that the deed makes
the gift Immediately available-urges.
in fact, that construction begin as
soon as possible and stipulates that
1t shall not be delayed beyond June,
194l-gives assurance of early realiza-
ton of a project which had taken
on the aspect of dream. Also 1t
gives hope of accomplishment during
the donors lifetime and in a measure
e under his wise advice and suggestion.
Such was the case with the Freer
Gallery of Art. The late Charles L.
Freer, when deciding his collection to
the Nation. did not intend to build
gallery to house it, provision therefor
being made in his will. But he
changed his mind and undoubtedly
took great satisfaction in seeing the
gallery, as it now stands, take tangible
form. To see so munifcent gift
take shape is, after all, part Of the
donors just reward-a real satiSfac-
ton. Also at the present time the
majority Of the paintings IN the
Mellon collection are in storage, which
Is none too good for them under the
best conditions and makes them, so far
as pleasurable benefits go, non-profit
yielding. It is in this respect that
these works should be considered. That
they are worth each one a kings
ransom does not signify save in so
far as value is derived from artistic
merit. They are first and last and
always great works of art-supreme
examples-the achievement of genius
and as rare as they are fine. To be
able to contemplate such works in
appropriate setting should give keenest
delight to countless persons-and
doubtless will.
As in the past so also in the future
they will speak for themselves, they
will have great message, inspiring,
consoling, reassuring. They will not
only enrich the Nation and add glory
to our National Capital, but they will
set a standard, and this Is day Of
confusion of ideals, and they will
testify to the donors belief in the
continuity of culture. the invulnerabil-
ity of civilization, the stability of our
Nation. A great and muniflcent gift.
In his most recent deed of gift Mr.
Mellon has specifically stated that the
building to be erected from the funds
donated shall not bear his name but
shall be known as the National Gal
lery of Art-under which circum-
stances he expresses the hope and
expectation that other collectors will
associate themselves with him in up
building and enriching the national
collection. This is not only generous
but wise. All of the great collections
OF art in this country owned by
museums have been built up through
private munihcence. The develop
ment Of these collections during the
past quarter century has been amaz-
ing. No less than 225 private COL
lectors lent to the great Century of
Progress Exhibition held in connec-
tion with the exposition in Chicago
two years ago. The great loan ex-
hibitions, such as the Halls Exhibition
In Detroit last Winter and the Spanish
Exhibition now in progress in the
Brooklyn Museum, to say nothing of
tnnumerable others including those
held during the season in dealers gal
leries. New York, are composed for
the most part Of paintings lent by
collectors, taken from the walls Of
private homes. BY no means is it too
late to assemble here in Washington
national art collection which will
take its place with the great national
collections in the capitals Of Europe.
To do so, however, an appropriate
building for their display and assur-
ance of perpetuation we're essential
Mr.. Melons gift assures the one, and
Government sanction the other.
Dreams do sometimes come true.
TT is an interesting coincidence that
almost at the same time that the
announcement of Mr.. Melons gift Of
q building for a National Gallery of
Art was made large collection Of
etchings, offered as gift to the Ma
tional Gallery of Art, should have
been placed on exhibition in the halls
of the National Museum. This ex-
hibition, opening last Friday, will con-
tinue for month. 1t comes from the
Chicago Society of Etchers and to a
great extent illustrates the achieve
3 ment of American etchers during the
past Is years. Also, in a measure, it
memorializes the work and accom-
phshment of Bertha E. Jaques, as
etcher, and, during all those years,
capable secretary of this association,
in the interest Of which and fulfill
ment Of its objects she has been in
defatigable. The majority of the
prints composing this collection are
those presented by the etchers upon
election to membership, and those
selected year by year for issuance to
associate members. It is not a COL
lector's group-not such a group as
would be selected for esthetic reasons
primarily-it does not represent every
etcher at his best-but 1t does uphold
an excellent standard and it should,
even II accepted in its entirety, ad-
mirably supplement our national COL
lection.
It has been hung in the main hall
opening from the foyer of the Ma
tional Museum with entrance on
Tenth street and Constitution avenue,
and is very well shown. The arrange
ment Is alphabetical according to sur
names of artists. For example at the
first end are etchings by George Aid
and John Taylor Arms, and at the last
or toward the last-works by Stur-
ges, Tallmadge and Young. Mrs.
Jaques is represented by 81 prints,
practically her life work, and q pretty
large output at that. covering great
variety of subjects and showing as a
distinctly individual contribution a
group Of flower studies In color,
unique and very notable. OF the
works Of other etchers two, three and
occasionally more impressions are