Evening star., 1937-01-23

OF Jane Browne, who married Samuel
Livermore (as well as by three other
canvases)-and Henry Benbridge,
who has been called the Copley of
the South" by painting Of Mrs.
Isaac Holmes.
1t must, however, be admitted that
the majority of these portraits which
have come down from other days are
of men not wonderland that when
of the latter, commemoration would
seem to be due not to personal charms
or distinction, but association in mar
riage with men Of outstanding prom
inence. There are statesmen, generals,
Judges, ministers and merchants, men
of sturdy character who laid the
foundation of our Nation. Probably
a good many may not have been good
likenesses," but they were certainly
seriously painted, and with this pur-
pose in mind, and surprisingly large
number would seem to carry conviction
through characterful representation.
Through this assemblage Of portraits,
furthermore. one glimpses the life
that was lived in this country in
Colonial days and the days Of the
early Republic, and in such wise that
pride of the right sort is engendered.
Standing before a portrait by one OF
the best Of the early painters,
distinguished painter of today was
heard to exclaim: How did they do
it? And why can't We do 1t now?"
The answer is far to seek.
Outside the Clarke collection, pur-
chased en- bloc. Mr.. Mellen has ac-
quired for the National Gallery of Art
collection four very important por-
traits by American artists. They are
q portrait of Washington by Stuart,
one of Alexander Hamilton by Trum-
bull, one Of Andrew Jackson by Sully,
and, the fourth a portrait of Lincoln
by Healy. These apparently he has
adjudged worthy of hanging with
portraits by such artists as Reynolds,
Raeburn. Gainsborough and Romney
high tribute, indeed.
To close this brief summary OF the
works which make up the Thomas B.
Clarke collection Of early American
portraits without at least word IN
regard to the artistic value and Su-
perlative quality of the works by old
masters, which chiefly constitute the
A. w. Mellon collection, destined for
the National Gallery OF Art, would be
impossible. They are beyond compare
among the greatest works of all
time. On being told that the stand
ard of these works IS to be upheld
when subsequent additions are made
a we'll known authority on art threw
up his hands and said: cit can not be
done-there are no more like them."
1t is this superlative quality, linked
with supreme beauty in conception
and execution. which gives them their
priceless worth.
The "American Scene," as
Presented By Moran.
The exhibition arranged in the
lobby of the National Museum in cele-
bration of the centenary of the birth
Of Thomas Moran, Is attracting spe-
cial attention. 1t comprises not only
oil paintings, five In number, water
colors and field sketches, but also 81
etchings and portraits of various
members of the Moran family, the
painters mother, brothers and sis
ters, as we'll as a few miscellaneous
exhibits. Four of the portraits are
etchings by Stephen Ferris, brother
in-law.
Thomas Moran was one of IA chill
dren. The parents were weavers, op-
Grating hand looms. -Four OF the
sons made names for themselves in
the field Of art-Thomas, Edward, an
older brother; John and Peter. Their
children have continued to carry on
the artistic tradition to the present
day. It is an interesting fact that
each member of this family has de-
veloped his talent along original lines
and none has overshadowed the
others.
It is particularly appropriate to
have this Moran exhibition in the
National Museum, for Thomas Moran
was In 1871 artist in the Haydn ex-
pedition to the Yellowstone River, and
it was undoubtedly the drawings then
made which Influenced Congress to
withdraw from settlement 3,575 square
miles of the Yellowstone River and
its valley for National Park purposes.
The water colors painted by him on
this epoch making expedition were
drawn with scientific accuracy, but
were also revealing in the matter Of
DISQUALIFICATION equally satisfactory
to scientists and laymen-and moving
as works of art. His works all have
color and atmospheric quality.
In q memorial exhibition now In
progress in the Newhouse Galleries.
New York, is a group of water colors
by Moran drawn from collections
now in the Southwest, which came to
this country q few gears ago from the