Evening star., 1937-03-13
By Florence S. Bergman

By Florence s. Bergman
ITHE Virgin Islands are perhaps
vaguely but exclusively synony-
nous with rum and molasses in
a the minds of most Americans,
even though the islands have belonged
to the United States for 20 years. All
who see the exhibition now on view at
Studio House will obtain somewhat
clearer picture Of this territory Nine
artists who spent last Summer paint
ing in the West Indies (some under
the Treasury Department Projects,
but others Independently are repre-
sented by nearly sixty oil paintings.
water colors, drawings and etchings Of
various aspects Of the Virgin Islands.
Robert Franklin Gates was evidently
intrigued by the waving palms and
other lush tropical flora, and the do
mestic animals and natives who in
habit the scene, Judging by his many
paintings of such subjects. Among
them are his large water colors, THE
Watering Trough" "Calabash Tree,
ith its varied green's and feeling OF
height and distance; Goats, st.
Thomas" "The Road to Town." which
has a sunny glimpse of the sea and
hilly islands; Canal" Fish Market" i"
and the effective Ruins" Mr.. Gates
choice OF warm browns, earth reds and
yellowish greens gives his paintings a
properly sultry atmosphere, reinforced
by his use OF heavy dark outlines. He
also shows a collection Of small
sketches, pen and Ink and wash, also
aquarelle alone, Of Virgin Island Ne
groes. He has captured successfully
and with no little humor their loose
jointed postures, tricks Of balancing
burdens on their heads, their taste for
bright colors, etc.
est. Thomas View" by Avery John
son, is pure Landscape, depicting the
magnificent harbor and surrounding
hills, for which this town is famous
1t has a strong sense of distance
achieved by successive planes. The
same artists "Tortola Banana Boat
is another OF the most attractive paint
ings exhibited. 1t was done for the
Treasury Department Art Project.
The Treasury Department lent other
paintings, among them Mitchell jamie
sons Street in st. Thomas" q mono-
chrome in browns, depicting a mule
and cart before doorway. Mr.. jamie
son also shows Interior" and RAINY
Street" with its chilly wind and wet
pavements, and Mail Bags"
The paintings of John Gernand are
perhaps most contemporary" in treat
ment. They include "Trepuk's," a
water color done in a broad, sketchy
wash; an oil painting. street, Noon"
In grayed tones Of light tan, green and
red, as we'll as number of sketches,
BY Margaret Casey Gates are
"HaVensegt," depicting a brick walk
approach to a handsome dwelling:
st. Thomas House, on a sunny HILL
side; and two sketches of night bloom
Ing cereus, identical in subject, but
varied in handling The first is clean
cut, while the second has soft blurred
outlines, having been painted on
damp paper; the pair OF them gives
a lucid impression Of different stages
OF the flowers blooming.
Steven Dohanos was interested in
subject matter entirely different from
that which attracted his confreres.
HIS Duck and Box must bring a
smile to every visitor. The alert eye
IN the ducks head, protruding from
the top Of a large crate, gives a
startling vitality to what Is technically
a study in browns. His Bucket of
Fish" presents another prosaic SUBJ
1ect in attractive guise. This is also
monochrome in browns, save fol-
slight touches OF cold blue on the fish,
In addition to these large water colors
Mr.. Dohanos shows two small but
beautifully executed water color draw
lngs: Skeleton" frame of a boat
under construction, on an airy sunlit
beach, and Basket Shop" with ix