Evening star., 1938-03-20
By Leila Mechkn.


TT HAS been said that the most
interesting exhibit to man is man,
which goes far to explain not only
the multiplicity of onlookers bor-
dering the boardwalks of popular sea-
side resorts and occupying cushioned
seats in hotel lobbies but also the per-
ennial appeal of portraiture There
may, of course, be mingled with this
curiosity on the part of the public an
element Of vanity inherent to those
portrayed. but this is not sufficient to
have kept the art of portraiture alive
through all vicissitudes or endowed
It with unending interest.
The history of portraiture prac-
tically comedies with the history of
art, but in the field of painting 1t
reached its greatest height in the
18th. 10th and 18th centuries. Great
names instantly flash to remem-
brance-Titian, Holbein, Rembrandt
and Valasquez, all of whom were en-
dowed with genius of first magnitude.
During the following centuries others.
less great perhaps but far outstripping
their contemporaries, continued the
tradition in the Netherlands, France.
Spain. England and even our own
country.
The exhibition of Portraits of
Children set forth by the WASH
ington Gallery of the Museum of
Modern Art, has for the past three
weeks given us in small compass
survey OF portrait painting from the
Gays Of the Renaissance in Italy to
today in America-and whetted our
appetite for more
Inc exhibition of historical ,por-
traits shown in the Corcoran Gallery
OF Art from November to March
under the auspices of the Constitution
SesquicentennialC Committee evidenced,
unforgettably, the surprising merit
attained by untutored painters in the
United States in the early days of
the Republic. as we'll as the value of
such as memorabilia.
In connection with the proposed
establishment of Smithsonian gall
lery as an adjunct of the National
Gallery OF Art. special provision has
been recommended for the inclusion
OF national portrait gallery, which
shall comprise portraits of distin-
guished American citizens, thus to
De held in perpetual remembrance.
ana. finally. giving this subject spe-
clal tlmellness is the fact that within
the past fortnight portraits of two
hleh officials of the Government have
been painted here in WASHINGTON.
These most recent works are a nor
tralt OF the Secretary of State, Mr..
Cordell Hull, by Leon Gordon. and a
portrait OF Justice Louis D. Brandeis of
the Supreme Court, by Eben F. Comins
OF this city. A preview of the former
was given in the artists improvised
studio in the Carlton Hotel a little over
week ago. whereas the latter is to
nave first showing at a tea in Mr..
Comlns' studio this afternoon. to
winch cards have been issued.
Portrait OF Secretary Hull
EON GORDON'S portrait of Sec
retary Hull is of conventional
size, a little less than half-length He
is represented as seated in an arm
chalr. turned slightly to the right
Inc background is nondescript and
simple. Both arms rest on the arms
OF the chair; the left hand is lifted
and holds lightly the lapel of his
coat, the right drops, rather Imply.
from Its resting place (the end of
the arm Of the chair, with fore.
nnger extended; both are rather
sketchily indicated. Interest is con-
centrated on the head, which is well
constructed and strongly modelled,
The face is turned toward the OBJ
server, but the eyes look to the left
and the expression is of detached
attention-thoughtful, introspective. It
Is a strong face with intellectually
INDICATED by high forehead, and de-
termination by firm lips-a face full
OF gravity somewhat lined by care.
AS Characterization this portrait
to this extent is to be highly COM
mended, but in color it is cold and
IN rendering of hands and accessories
too lightly tossed off to conform with
the dignity of the sitter.
Mr.. Gordon had opportunity here
to produce great portrait, and doubt