Evening star., 1936-01-12
Bv Leila MechHn.


~ L forty-fifth annual exhibition,
of Art yesterday afternoon. To the
contrary. the majority of the work
shown is strong, colorful and varied in
character. Furthermore. it is essen
tally up-to-date. This organization
has the name of being conservative,
but while it does uphold certain.
standard of competence, it is unques
tionably hospitable to new lines of
thought and new methods of express
sion-thuS, far from being reactionary,
it is progressive. Wisely, indeed, its
jury of selection maintains an OPEN
door policy and leaves ultimate judg-
ment where, under any circumstances,
1t is bound to rest-With the public,
which, while processing ignorance,
rarely hesitates to express preference.
AS compared to other contemporary
exhibitions there is nothing radical or
very extreme in this exhibition spon-
sored by the Society Of Washington
Artists, and yet current trends in
painting are very markedly shown.
Most obvious, perhaps. is the tendency
transcription dreary, homely themes;
to deliberately turn from that which
possesses picturesquenesS or satisfies
the common ideals of beauty Also
there is observable lack of command
of medium which may arise from i'm
patience or negligence on the part Of
the painter. The great painters of the
past were, without exception, skilled
craftsmen as we'll as artiSts-they took
pains without measure 20 find not only
adequate. but beautiful expression
and so their works live But in spite
of these shortcomings. which occasion
ally in individual instances would
seem to be assumed in imitation of
those whos have attained greatness
Notwithstanding the handicaps of il
literacy in art or mere manneriSms,
there is a robustness in much of the
work now on display which is very
stimulating and encouraging. The
artists represented in the Society of
Washington Artists exhibition this
year ask no hostages in the field of
criticism and need none
Two of the four places of honor
midway of the walls have been given
to portraits of men by members of
the society; the other two have been
assigned to works by out-of-town ar
fists. On the end wall has been hung
a portrait of Thomas Fox. esq, by
Charles Bittinger, president of the So
ciety of Washington Artists who has.
by the way, just returned from the
West Coast. 1t is strong, simple piece
of painting, with the ultimate purpose
of portraiture evidently kept in mind.
Halfway down one of the long side
walls hangs Bjorn Egeli's portrait of
DR.. Steineger, to which the medal of
honor was awarded, reticent work
in the old tradition, rendered with
sustained strength and complete unity
"a thoughtful Interpretation of char
acter and personality. Opposite Bit
fingers portrait has been placed, on
the south wall, large canvas by Hor-
tense Ferne of Philadelphia, of a
Mardi Gras scene, such as the Arts
Club Bal Boheme might provide; and
opposite Egeli's conservative work may
be seen painting by N. c. Wyeth
of Chadds Ford, Pa, member of the
jury of award, THE Sounding Sea-
an Interpretation more abstract than
real Wyeth is former pupil of How
ard Pyle and better known as an illus
TRAITOR than painter, but IN recent years
he has produced a considerable num-
ber of murals and occasionally given
his dreams visual substance through
the medium of oil paint on canvas, as
in this instance.
Among other notable works from
out-of-toWn painters are a portrait
sketch in oils, or tempera. of Anne
Goldthwaite, herself a gifted painter
and etcher, by Josephine Paddock of
New York, who, in making likeness.
has leaned lot little toward carica-
ture and in manner OF transcription
=, borrowed largely from well-known
modernistS; portrait study of little
girl, Marjorie Bayliss, by Hattie Saus-
sy of Savannah, Ga, which has much
to commend it, both IN treatment and
lighting effect, and still life. Seed
pods and Dead Magnolia" by Ella
Sophonisba Hergesheimer of Nash
= vile, Tenn, relative of the novelist,
and very competent painter. This
is one of the outstanding still-life
paintings in this exhibition.
Another particularly attractive still
life is the first-prize award in this
class, by Gladys Wilson McAdam of
Lexington, KY. 1t is entitled Winter
Bouquet" and shows vase of flowers
on table in front of window
through which one sees snow falling
and snow-covered roofs against gray
sky-a very interesting composition,
well rendered. Still-life painting has
come very much into vogue in recent
years, and invariably lends color and
charm to current exhibitions. Such is
the case in the present instance. and
the chances are that the paintings in
this class will be the first to attract
the visitors attention.
Noteworthy indeed and very varied
: In character and Stv1a are "rTha Vel.