Evening star., 1936-02-09

"HREE exhibitions opened Slmul-
taneously in the National Gal
lery of Art with joint private
u view last Wednesday afternoon.
AL three are on view in the foyer of
the United States National Museum,
entered through the doorway and YES
tihule at Tenth street and Constitu-
ton avenue.
The sequence is interesting First
comes an exhibition of portraits in
oil by Bjorn Egeli, a Washington
artist, born in Norway, paintings which
come within the field of the so-called
fine arts exclusively. Next comes, by
mere coincidence. an exhibition of
drawings, Autographs, pastels. water
colors, etchings and designs for nlu-
rails woven fabrics, etc. by Mems.
Breidvik, Norwegian artist at present
residing in this country. This group
Is exhibited under the patronage of
the Minister from Norway Third,
and last, comes little exhibit of vitre-
Gus enamels designed by Richard Mac
Graw and executed by his wife, Fran
ees MacGraw. Thus the visitor is led
by stages from the art called fine to
the art of the craftsmen, of very
high order. And, after ALL there is no
great difference; the two are more or
less one and the same. Indeed, Mr..
Egeli, the painter, is himself skilled
craftsman, having learned to carve
wood as a little boy in his fathers
work shop at Oslo. an accomplishment
which he has since put to good stead
In the making of ship models and the
carving of his own frames.
In his painting, there is not any
marked nationalistic strain. He left
Norway when a lad of Is and all of
his instruction in painting has been
here under American masters-in fact,
in the Corcoran School of Art. But he
shows in his painting the adventurous
spirit which characterizes those of the
country whence he came He is not
always successful, but he knows it, and
goes ahead undaunted, adding to his
equipment. His work is very thought
fully studied and sincere. He paints
broadly and his color is very good.
Many of his portraits have spirit as
well as likeness. He is evidently paint
ing for something more than to please
On the other hand, Mr.. Breidvik's |
miscellaneous works collectively give |
indication of nationalistic tendencies |
They are essentially Norwegian, rugged,
strong, reticent. The artists of Nor
way, Sweden and Denmark are very
much law unto themselves. They to
great extent, make their own tradi-
tons. In recent years only the artists
Of this section of Northern Europe, and,
oddly enough, Spain, have retained
their individuality. Otherwise inter-
nationalism has practically wiped out
racial differences as seen in art-and !
more's the pity.
There is ruggedness in Mons.
Breidvik's line, whether drawn with
crayon, etching needle or pencil, which
is very impressive And for the most
part those whom he has portrayed are
his friends and associates. Norwegians,
sturdy engaging people-especially the
children. Now and then he has ad-
ventured in the realm of folk law,
drawing illustrations to probably well
known tales. There is a CLINT of the
influence OF Zorn in some of his nudes,
a not displeasing reminiscence Five
Of his exhibits are block prints in color,
done with freedom unknown to the
Japanese, and seldom practiced in this
country One of these is of his daugh-
ter skiing. Among his water colors are
sketches for murals, boldly rendered,
and design for a tapestry which is
hung beside the fabric itself woven
most skillfully by Anna Kinsarvik. This
represents The Tree of Life" If we
could develop closer relationship be-
tween art and craft in this country. it
would be most profitable. Work of this
sort points the way. In this connec-
ton it is interesting to know that a
comprehensive exhibition of Norwegian
art. assembled by the National Gallery
OF Art in Oslo, is at this time being
held in the International Art Center,
New York. This embraces, however,
only paintings.
The exhibition of enamels is, of all,
the smallest, occupying a single case,
but OF It's kind it is unique. This con-
sists OF two or three bowls and several
placques purposed to be set in a wall.
These are all produced by the same
method that the Japanese use for
making cloistonne vases and other
objects, except that Mrs. MacGraw
does not use metal wire to outline her
designs, hence the color flows more
freely and without confining bound
aries. 1t Is an enormously dificult
process, permitting no mistakes, and
the great heat of the fur
mace as chief factor Frank Gardner
Hale Of Boston, well known as MASTER
maker Of hand wrought
|ewelry. has produced some fine work
In enamel, not only as auxiliary to his
|ewelry designs, but as box covers. He
Toes not. however, attempt such large
works or such broad surfaces. Obvi-
3usly these enamels are of almost
primitive simplicity. exceeding in this
particular even the poster, but they
ire rich in color and very decorative.
1ne Of the panels represents leaping
iger and is done in IL sections. Mrs
AacGraw was born In Boston and.