Evening star., 1936-12-12

sculpture is to be seen in proper rela-
tionship with landscape and growing
things.
This outdoor sculpture musem, to
which one must make a pilgrimage to
seas it lies off the much travelled
roads-was, as has been said, the
logical outgrowth of the interest OF
its originators and donors, in art
generally and in sculpture in par
ticular-for Mrs. Huntington (Anna
Hyatt) has attained great distinction
as a sculptor. and Mr.. Huntington is
widely known as art patron, poet and
traveller. Through Mr.. Huntington &
munifcence the Hispanic Museum in
New York came into existence and is
maintained. Mrs. Huntington's eques-
trians Of Jeanne dare" and "El
Cid" are known the world over as
given placement in this country
France and Spain.
The creation of an outdoor sculp-
ture museum in so congenial setting
must to them have been irresistible
But they might have kept it for them
selves alone. instead of sharing it all
so generously-and they have not.
Also, of the 100 works set forth at
Brookgreen. a comparatively small
number are by the part-donor. A COM
plete list Of sculptors represented
names 109 or no, among whom are
not only those who have attained dis
tincticn, but those whose regulations
are still in the making and without
regard to schools or trends. This Is
a great work. and its gift and endow-
ment an epoch-marking event in the
annals of art in America.
Retrospective Exhibition of
Sculpture by Anna Huntington
IT HAS become the custom of the
American Academy of Arts and
Letters in New York to accord each
year to one of It's artist members the
privilege of retrospective exhibition,
opening in November at the time of
the annual meeting and continuing for
six months. Last year the artist so
honored was Cecilia Beaux, the dis
tinguished portrait painter. This year
the honor has gone to Anna Hyatt
Huntington, sculptor, and the showing
she makes Is amazing, not only in
number of exhibits, but in quality.
One hundred and seventy works are
set forth in the academy gallery, at
156th street and Broadway. Her
Jeanne dare" which is on Riverside
drive, New York; in Bloic, France,
and elsewhere, and her "E Cid"
works, in the court Of the. academy
group, New York: in San Diego, Calf. :,
and Seville, Spain, are shown in re-
ductions, but the four heroic figures
at the base of eel Cid" full size, oc-
cupy four corners of the spacious gal
lery in which her well-known Diana"
holds central place. For the most
part, the other works are on q small
scale and of animal themes or of bird
life. There is great variety. The later
works are more animated than the
early ones, as if the sculptor, having
served her apprenticeship, were now
able to give free rein to her imagina-
tive tendencies. But throughout the
work evidences deep searching for
truth and sincerity.
None other today has perhaps made
so extended and faithful study Of ami
NAL life. Her tigers and other animals
of the cat family show a complete
understanding of physical characters
tics, the play of muscles under the
loose skin, the grace of 1.-the move
ment, the alertness of eye. Especially
well does she also portray horses
and colts-from those which worthily
bear lei Cid" and the Maid of Or
leans" to the freakish newborn, try
ing his wobbly legs. It has been truly
said that in her lovingly observed
forms of animals the true flavor of
her skillful plastic expression is real
iZed."
Some Of these works are full size,
while others are small enough to be
held in the hand. When monumental
is desired, Mrs. Hunt
ington knows how to give it, but her
works lin little" are never trivial. To
the contrary, they, in exceptional meas
ure, possess what among art lovers is
described as precious" quality.
During Mrs. Huntington's recent So.
journ in the South wild birds and sea
fowl have engaged her attention, and
several Of her works in this exhibition
are of groups of such-among them
the white heron. These have expert
mentally been cast in aluminium.
She shows two portraits very SYM
pathetically rendered-one Of her
mother, Mrs. Alpheus Hyatt, when an
octogenarian; the other of the late
Henry Dawson. It is unusual for one
to be 50 equally happy In SO many
forms Of expression. To those to
whom sculpture has particular signifi-
canoe and charm-and more especially
to those who are interested in animals
in sculpture-this exhibition provides
q source of unusual pleasure, well re-
paying the trip to New York. It will
remain ON view until the 1st of next
May.
Corcoran Gallery Acquires
Whistler Etchtngs.
RY THE will Of the late Julius Gar
finckel the Corcoran Gallery Of
Art has come into the possession Of q
collection Of etchings-25 In number
by James Mcneil whistler, among
which are some exceptionally fine and
rare impressions. Mr.. Garfinckel
gathered these as opportunity offered
during q considerable number Of years
and the choice made gives indication
Of special discrimination in taste as
well as Judgment. These etchings
were loaned by Mr.. Garfinckel to the
Corcoran Gallery and exhibited In Oc-.
tober. 1884, creating much interest and
calling forth expressions Of apprecia-
ton. At the conclusion Of the exhibi-
ton Mr.. Garf1nckel wrote the director
Of the Corcoran Gallery Of Art, Mr..
Minnigerode, that the happy circum-
stances Of the display would give the
prints additional glamour henceforth
for him-a most gracious attitude for
-lender. These prints win