Evening star., 1936-11-21

paintings have been commissioned,
that of the Department of Justice
in this city seems to have Jared worst.
Henry Varnum Poor's series appears
to much better advantage in the full
size cartoons by which they are rep
resented in this exhibition than on the
walls, but even so, with lack OF ap-
propriateness and decorative quality.
George Biddles series of frescos are
shown in small-size studies in color,
we'll drawn but utterly depressing in
homeliness and damaging to the cause
they would promote. Ballator's Con-
temporary Justice and Man" are Of the
same type. calculated to serve as a
boomerang. OF all the painters ex-
ecuting commissions for this building,
but two seem to have grasped the
larger significance of their themes
these are Leon Kroll and Boardman
Robinson both artists of long ex-
perience and distinction.
But one could 60 on indefinitely
this is an enormous show. Before
passing to works in other media, how
ever, mention must be made of panel
of deer by Thomas Lamar for the
Post Once at Eureaka, Calf. which
Is altogether charming. So often the
lightness of touch and living quality.
found in preliminary studies. seems to
be lost in the finished works. but not
so in this instance-in line and feel
ing the Elusive qualities of the sub
ject are here beautifully rendered.
OF all the IS works in sculpture set
forth in this exhibition. the most en-
gaging are by two leading modernists
in this field-Zorach, who shows his
full-size statue of Benjamin Franklin
for the Post ONCE Department Build
ing in this city-Franklin having been
our first United States Postmaster
and Warneke. who is represented by
a group of bears for the court of the
Harlem Housing Project, New York.
Both are outstanding for merit
Zorach, in the interest of historic por-
traiture, has accepted tradition and
worked in accordance Herewith, but
with force and virility. Warneke,
while practising restraint and employ
ing simplification. has created a work
essentially plastic and, of its kind.
superb. Which goes to show that no
ism" actually controls art or can
hamper the expression of a genuine
artist.
Perhaps the surprise of this exhi-
bition is to be found in the section OF
water-color painting. which is, in a
measure, identical, but attains to very
high standard. The oil paintings
which fill the semi circular gallery
give less stimulation or occasion for
reinsurance. But on the whole. none
can give this vast exhibition careful
study without becoming aware of prog
ress. Great strides have been taken
since these new projects have been set
up. There is immeasureable space be-
tween these works and those executed
under the P. w. A. P-there is far
better work here than has been done
under the w. p. "A relief measure
And is not this logical and under
standable? Art is sensitive plant, 1t
cannot flourish under grim conditions.
Working for a wage at task produced
to provide livelihood is not calculated
to bring forth the best. And yet it
undoubtedly was the relief programs
which so hesrtened the painters that
they went ahead. Who knows but
that with the restoration of normal
conditions Of living, they will once
more dream dreams and see visions2
This Is the star-as Galworthy once
said-that will tighten democracy
through the darkest night.
Exhibition OF Easel Paintings by
Mural Painters at Studio House.
X EEPING step with the Treasury Art
Projects. Studio House opens to-
day-to continue for a month-an
exhibition of easel paintings by 10
American mural painters. who are ex-
ecuting murals In Federal buildings in
Washington. Included in the list are:
George Biddle. John Steuart Curry,
Henry Varnum Poor, Rockwell Kent,
Maurice Sterne. Leon Kroll. Doris Lee,
Reginald Marsh, Emil Bisttram. Kerl
Free, Tom Lea, Frank Mechau. Will
liam Palmer, Boardman Robinson,
Ward lockwood. Symeon Shimin, Eu-
gene Savage and Harold weston. OF
the % chosen last year by the Treas
ury Art Project to execute murals for
the Federal buildings here. only three,
Harding. Ballator and Crimi, are not
represented, the reason for which is
that they had nothing available to
send.
Studio House has brought these
paintings to Washington from all over
the country, in the belief that it should
be of especial interest to the Washing |
ton public to become familiar with the |
best creations of these artists, whose |
work will assume great local import
ance as given permanent placement |
on the walls OF the Justice Department, |
the Post once Building and the Fed
eral Warehouse.
Regional Sales Exhibition
Opens Today in the Phillips
Gallery.
AN EXHIBITION of paintings,
prints and sculpture by artists Of
and nearby Virginia and
opens today in the Phillips
Memorial Gallery under the manage
ment of Studio House. This exhibition
was initiated last year In an attempt