Evening star., 1938-02-27
the reticence and paradoxical boldness
of early girlhood.

RETWEEN the Stuart and the Sar-
~ gent, which, by the way. is very
boldly and frankly painted. hangs q
most engaging large canvas, by Arthur
William Devils, of little James Alex
ander Simpson, painted more than a
hundred years ago, typical child of
the period, charmingly presented
Devils is said to have won the favor of
Sir Joshua Reynolds. and to have
taken his place in the eminent COM
pany of West, Copley. Gainsborough,
Reynolds and their colleagues. He had
checkered career. making voyage
around the world under the auspices
of the East India Co., spending some
time in Bengal, giving much Of his
time to the rendition of historical
themes and dying while still in his
prime. This painting OF James Alex
ander Simpson put him on par with
the best of the great English school; it
evidences not only his facility as a
painter, but his sympathy with child
hood. Quite as interesting is it as the
two portraits of children by Romney-
The Gosling Children" and The
Horsley Children''-both group COM
positions, and reckoned among this
painters famous canvases. Both of
which. by the way, have come from a
local private collection, said to be that
of MI. and Mrs. Belin of Georgetown,
though not so listed in the catalogue.
Scarcely an important exhibition is
scheduled today without some con-
tribution from the Dumbarton Oaks
Collection. assembled by Mr.. and Mrs
Robert Woods Bliss of this city. This
exhibition of Portraits of Children
has been enriched by three canvases
so derived. These are Portrait of
Julie Belelli," by Degas-a drawing.
partly colored of little girl seated
in chair, the head beautifully de-
lineated; a Head of Child" pre-
sumably in pastel, by Renoir-in
which innocence and knowing are
subsidy commingled-a work rendered
with the lightest possible touch: and
not included in the catalogue. tiny
picture of Edouard WILLARD of little
6lil dt a "llAuoW, OH UuV uppCl
part Of the face hidden.
In connection with the portrait by
Nine. Lebrun, mention should be
made of two very engaging little por-
traits by Greuze; one of child in
white. the other of little girl in, a
brown dress, the latter peculiarly
engaging.
Near these hang very typical
Fragonard, Child and Cherries" :"
which might we'll have fallen out of
one of this masters decorative COM
positlons-a choice bit-also an un-
familiar, but very attractive. little
painting of a Boy with Flute" by
none other than the great Dutch mas
ter, Frans Hale. the last owned and
lent by Mr.. Dwight Davis of this city
Portraits By
Contemporary Artists.
THE two other rooms in this Wash
ngton Gallery of the Museum of
Modern Art are given over at this
time to works by contemporary artists,
some deceased, others still living and
working among US. There are two
canvases by George Bellows: one of
Anne In White" lent by the Car
negie Institute: the other, entitled
Margaret" from an anonymous pri-
vate collection in Washington, both
rather harsh, however, in treatment
and in color; neither holding its own,
as have other works by this talented
American, in so distinguished COM
pany.
There are also two convases by the
late George Luks; one. the well known
"Sulking Boy" from the Phillips Me-
mortal Gallery; the other, a tiny lit
tie canvas of Baby" lent by the
Marie Sterner Galleries.
Carl Melchers is seen at his best in
his painting of little Dutch girl,
standing by chair holding a doll
an admirable piece of work, unfor-
gettable as significant Interpretation
and generously lent by Mrs. Melchers
The late Philip de Laszlo is we'll
represented my portrait Of little
child, Gertrude" lent by Mr.. ana
Mrs. Irwin Laughlin, broadly and SYM
pathetically painted
The utmost commentator can be
given to E. Bernard Lintott's painting
of Michael" little urchin in tan
clothes and plaid scarf, very human
and boyishly appealing-as well as ad-
mirably done.
It is right and reasonable that Lydia
Field Emmett. who has made spe-
cialty of child portraits, should be rep
resented here. Her portrait Of Besty
Townsend is characteristic, although
perhaps not her best.
Bobby and Bayard"-two little
boys. one in orange, the other in red
by the late Harrington Mann, are pic
turesquely portrayed, but in manner
rather careless and casual On the
other hand. "Child's Head" portrait
of little girl with black braids tied
with white strings or ribbon, by Maui
rice Sterne, lent by Mr.. and Mrs. John
Garrett while also casual, has memor-
able quality derived through directness
Of treatment and strength in concep-
ton.
Charming indeed is Boutet de Mon
vel's Girl in Communion Dress" a
white picture very simply and subtly
rendered, illustrative, perhaps, pur
outstanding.
Savely Sorines portrait of his
nephew, "1van," is an interesting piece
OF work, but needlessly laree-the SIM
plicity of treatment lacking accord
with the breadth of surface embraced
in the composition.
There are other examples worthy of
thoughtful study-and which will be
found engaging. Again the lesson Is
taught that art has many sides and is
primarily in the doing.
Happily, this exhibition will continue
until March 20.
American Folk Art to Be Seen
At Phillips Gallery Studio House.
AN EXHIBITION Of American folk
art opened the first of the past
week at Phillips Gallery Studio House,
to continue to March II. Polk Art"