Evening star., 1936-12-12

make valuable addition to the Cor
coran Gallery of Arts growing print
collection, but 1t will be some months,
pending settlement Of the estate, before
possession is actually obtained.
Dramatic War; Etching
By Kerr Eby.
IT IS at this season that the print
societies issue their print the
year 10 MEMBERS custom which has
become quite universal. Within the
past fortnight prints have been re-
ceived by local collectors from the
American College Society of Print Col
lectors, the Society of American Etch-
ers and the California Print Makers.
The first Of these is especially not
able-a large and very impressive plate
by Kerr Eby entitled Shadows" pic
turing column of tired soldiers pass
ing at night by succeed, one-storied
building, partially destroyed, while q
mounted officer reviews them, slump
ing on the saddle of his wearied-to-
death horse. 1t is dramatic theme,
magnificently portrayed with great re-
serve and reticence on the part Of the
etcher. Eby has never achieved a
more brilliant success, but it was not
success that his mind was on when the
plate was etched. 1t was war-a SUBJ
ject which has literally obsessed him
during recent years because of his first
hand oYrarionPa in, in, 1O17-1Q
When asked to write something
about the print or how he did it, he re-
piled: 1T Is difficult thing to write
about ones offspring, but there is one
thing can say about this plate-it was
not just a job done to fill an order. It
was going to be made anyway, to be
added to the series of war things. It
had to be war, as my mind is at pres
ent running almost wholly In that
groove. The reason for this is the
strong feeling I have that now is the
time to do anything one can. It is
now or never. There is no sense of
defeatism in this, for not only in the
matter of war, but in all other things,
I believe there is to be a great renais-
sance Of decency. We are just about
fed up with rottenness and fear. All
of u.s."
To this, with special reference to
the plate, he added:
"A very curious thing happens when
an artist is driving at specific point.
All that self f-consciousness of trying to
put capital A on art, and all the
wondering If you are abreast of the
times, or "old hat" goes to the winds.
Into these war things have put all
know, technically and otherwise.
actually do not care a 'tinker'S dam
whether they are art or not, so long as
they say what want to say. This, of
course, may be the illustrative point
Of view-but it is at least conducive to
an inward peace"
Commenting upon this print, John
Taylor Arms, who Is perhaps one Of
the most technically brilliant Of our
American etchers, refers to both its
spiritual and technical qualities, and
concludes his very intelligent and ex-
pert estimate as follows:
1T is one thing to make a repre-
sentation by means of the rules of
graphic delineation, an etching needle,
and skillful hand-it is q very diff
ferent thing to create a work of art
In Shadows Kerr Eby has done both,
but the latter Is by far the greater ac-
complishment."
Twenty-eight prints and drawings
"starkly beautiful, unforgettable"-by
Eby, with accompanying text by the
artist-a powerful contribution to the
movement against war"-have been
lately published in book form, under
the title WAR" by the Yale University
Press, and q collection of Mr.. Eby,s
war etchings Is being widely circulated.
It Is an unusual thing for . creative
artist to take such great concern in
the affairs Of life, and 50 to bend his
energies and dedicate his talent to
righting them. Art Of this sort has
not only reason for being but q place
all its own.
Prints Being Shoaon
At Public Library.
THE prints for Christmas Gifts"
= exhibition at the Public Library Is
. lively little show, evidencing great
variety In viewpoint of the contribute
ing artists, as well Is diversity in
method. But viii they sell? Are these
the kinds Of prints Of which one
sovets possession for oneself or ones
friends? They may be. This Is purely
. personal matter, and determined by
personal taste, but It is often re-
marked and demonstrated that the
lay public requires subjective interest
and expects to hnd beauty In the
works of art 1t takes into the home.
Qoyne NJ the r,rintS y,oW On yieu af