Evening star., 1937-02-06

The whole aspect of this country has
changed since these water colors were
painted and the vision we now have
of it is stern and grim. Mr.. Sawyer's
paintings are gentle and full of SUM-
shine-Spain basking in the warmth
OF tranquility of peace. Undoubtedly
this was the aspect which made most
appeal to the painter, for even
decade ago the fierceness and cruelty
were there beneath the surface and not
completely hidden. Sorolla gave us
his version of sunny Spain a quarter
Of century ago, and it was charm
lng-such sunlight. such gayety, such
heart-free people as he pictured on the
Spanish beaches and at watering
places! The memory of their binding
light and irresistible movement still
fingers vividly in memory. zuloaga
| showed us the grimness and made us
feel the tragedy behind Spanish life.
He it was who made us know a Spain
capable of revolution, willing to face
disaster to the bitter end.
But Spain has many sides, and per-
haps more than ever today We may
be grateful to have brought to our
attention that side which Mr.. Sawyer
has so happily painted. Many of his
subjects are very picturesque; quite a
number are rendered with exceptional
skill and very evident emotion.
Russell Train Smith is of the
younger generation and his work is
more in the direct modern manner.
He paints barns. the Governors pal
ace at Williamsburgh and New Eng
iand church with equal enthusiasm
and frankness. His color is strong
and good; his manner of handling
broad and effective One of the most
pleasing of his group of 18 water COL
orS Is that of the Woodstock Ski
HILL" a characteristic New England
Winter landscape, snow covered
ground, leafless trees against snow
and sky-a difficult theme set forth
with great unity of effect and the
semblance of realism. But there is
something more than that here to
commend. A photograph is realistic
and reliable, but Mr.. Smith has read
into his painting of Winter in the hills
the feeling of time and place, and
has made us see and understand its
charm. Mr.. Smith is an architect. an
archeologist and a teacher. He has
very little time for his painting and
paints rather as avocation, but he has
made rapid strides toward command
of his medium. He will undoubtedly
go far. There is freedom and a
freshness in his work which is very at
tractive.
Miss Siboni's Miniatures
On Exhibition.
CUPPLEMENTING these two exhi-
- bitions at the Arts Club is still a
third, group of miniatures by Emma
Siboni, who, after a long absence
from Washington. has returned and
resumed residence here. Miss Siboni
was educated in this country and
abroad, studying in Paris, Berlin, Mu-
mich and Copenhagen. She has had
many distinguished sitters and received
numerous awards. The 20 miniatures
which constitute her current exhibi-
ton give an excellent idea of the
breadth and character of her achieve
ment. She is also represented in the
Miniature Society's exhibition in the
Corcoran Gallery of Art. One OF the
miniatures now on view at the Arts
Club IS of Tim Rowan. the little son
of Edward Rowan, head of the Treas
ury Departments procurement division
art project. Miss Siboni seems to be
peculiarly happy in her portraits of
children.
Strength and Simplicity Feature
Roy Cldrk's Water ColorS.
AN EXHIBITION of water colorS
= by Roy Clark of this city opened
this week, to continue throughout the |
month, in the Public Library, main
building. Mr.. Clark is one OF those
who believe in simplification. and his
in oil or in water color |
reduce the composition to the lowest |
terms as an equation and as far as |
possible eliminate detail. Thus they |
present the essence of the theme.
They strike with a single blow and
tell their whole story. To do this |
requires skill and decision-there can |
be no technical bungling. no steps |
retraced. But why should we not have |
excuse to linger? Why must We take
in all the artist would tell us at a
single gulp? Strength and simplicity |
are excellent as framework, but may
not we build on these and elaborate |
our theme even as gown is enriched
with embroidery? 1t Is lamentably |
true that the impressionists became
so absorbed in eXternals that they
buried the skeleton and forgot about
it, SO that in these later days 1t had
to be exhumed and restored. But
for this reason we do not need COM
pletely to skeletonize our literature,
our drama or OUR painting. This Is
not to say that there is not much
which is admirable about Mr.. Clark's
water colors now on view at the Pub
Lie Library. They are strong, virile,
effective, and sometimes they have
very pleasing pattern. One should be
thankful for work so sane and soundly
good.
Distinguished Woman
Artist to Lecture Here.
THERE are a great many woman /
artists, but comparatively few who
have attained to supreme height.
Surveying the record Of attainment, |
one instantly recalls among painters |
Mary cassatt and Cecilk Beaux;