Evening star., 1936-02-09

lated upon having acquired, through
purchase, the painting of the "Stod-
dert Children" by Peale, which for
some time has hung in the Corcoran
Gallery Of Art as a loan. The Stod-
derts were an old Georgetown family
and one of the streets in Georgetown
for long bore their name. These chill
dren, charmingly delineated, are seen
playing out Of doors, and behind them
is a broad view across the Potomac
River, to and including the Virginia
shore. Not only is this a very fine
example Of Peales work, but of the
painting of the period, and nowhere
could it be more effectively or ap-
propriately placed than in this his
toric old mansion.
The exhibition Of accessories OF
ladies' dress before the year 1880.
which was opened in Dumbarton
House last Sunday. is well worth see
ing. 1t has been very carefully as
sembled with regard to quality of
exhibits, as well as historic associa-
ton. and it has been beautifully ar
ranged. Particularly interesting are
the fans, some Of the jewelry and the
embroideries. Certainly taste in those
days seems to outstrip that in our own.
Perhaps, however, it was by no means
universal.
TWO Washington artists are repre-
sented in the Pennsylvania AcaG-
emy Of the Fine Arts 13lst annual
exhibition, which opened in Phila-
delphia January 26, to continue to
March !. These are Eben r. Comins.
who shows his portrait Of Vice Pres
ident Garner, and Roger Rittase, who
has contributed city picture entitled
Urban Cross Roads very wet,
rainy day, Both are extremely we'll
placed. This exhibition comprises
about $50 paintings and approximate
ly 100 works in sculpture. 1t has been
very sharply criticised by the Phila-
delphia critics, who insist that it is
not up to standard. And neither is
it, as compared to the days when the
newest works by Sargent. Cecilia
Beaux, Benson. Tarbell, De Camp.
Dewing, Tryon. Thayer, Duveneck and
Eakins were regularly shown therein,
but paintings of this type and dis
tinction are not often produced these
days. Indeed, on the whole the acad-
emy seemed to the writer, last week.
very representative Of contemporary
trends in painting and rather better
than most of the big shows Of current
work of late.
Mrs. Johansen-Jean McLane-has
a stunning portrait of an Anglican
clergyman therein, rendered with
great simplicity, breadth and spon-
taneity-which, wonder Of wonders,
received prize. Aldro Hibbard's VIM
ter pictures and Frederick Waugh's
marine are outstanding-so is Mary
Buffers mountain subject. Albert
Sterner, who has within the last
couple of years taken up pen in de-
fense of the great tradition. and with
real wisdom and effect, is represented
by a still life and figure painting,
both showing the influence of modern
thought and practice. The American
scene" is inevitably to the fore, and
there is strong evidence Of tendency
to return to the story telling illustrs-
tive subject. To such a painting,
Miners Resting" by Paul Sample.
one of the most coveted prizes was
awarded. Edward Bruce Is repre-
sented by a characteristic Vermont
landscape, and Maurice Sterne, who
influenced him powerfully, by q
group of nudes. Resting at the Ba-
zaar," little reminiscent Of La Fargo,
little Of Gauguin-but what a
strange and unexpected combinationi
What Is sad and disturbing about
this exhibition is the work Of the
older men. which seems to have lost
its vim. Are they too bewildered? On
the whole, however, there seems to
be plenty of lively painting being
done, and this being the case. when
the genius arrives We shall be ready
to welcome him or her. Apparently
We are keeping our hand in"