davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-01-09

engraver is basically stable, full, ex-
plicit. and, at the same time, reserved,
as compared to the freer, more spon-
taneous statement associated with
etching. In view of this, it is signifi-
cant to note the growth OF interest
in the medium both here and abroad
Mason came to 1t fully equipped, both
spiritually and technically, and his
rise has been so rapid that today he
stands among its acknowledged living
masters"
Mr.. Nason's qualifications as an en-
graver are. according to Mr.. Arms,
breadth Of view, studiousneSs, sensi-
bility. capacity for hard work and
great technical SKILL" and the sum
OF these make 1t possible for him to
express through this medium. in pure,
eloquent and beautifully engraved
lines" the poetry of things seen.
An engraver can never be casual
ir the matter of craftsmanship. His
is an exact art, but in spite of exacti-
tude and accuracy it is possible to
create an impression Of things spirit
ual, as we'll as material. This is the
triumph which Mr. Mason achieves.
He often chooses for Interpretation a
homely subject, an old shack, a bro
ken-down barn, an oil tank or a silo,
but he sees in these objects, and
makes manifest, elements Of beauty,
His wood engravings are particularly
forceful and significant. Not infre-
quently they are found to have dra-
matte force. His line is unerring. 1t
may be strong and deep, or light and
subtle. but the observer must recognize
In either instance his complete mas
terry.
Rarely before has original work been
done in engraving either on copper or
wood, because the technique of en-
craving is so exacting that it would
seem to give very little freedom for
personal expression. Therefore. the
great engravings of the past have been,
In most instances. reproductions of
paintings. Mr.. Mason, however. en-
pioys engraving as medium for oriei-
nal expression, and to perfection. He
Is not always uniformly good, but no
artist Is. His best is superlatively good
and ne is never commonplace.
The effect of his prints is of great
simplicity, both of theme and express
sion. but in many Of them there is a
depth Of feeling and understanding
which is profoundly moving. Take. for
example, his Summer Clouds" and
Village Street" What could be more
completely charming unsatisfactory ?
All OF the beauty of the outdoor world
Is here. and set forth with almost shy
simplicity. After all, good craftsman
ship has never taken from the merit
OF work OF art, and the finer the ex-
preston the more readily it can be
comprehended. In the bewildering
world OF art today work of this order
Is very reassuring. 1t is not in any
degree reflection of the past: in the
finest sense it is modern. but it is up
held to a no less high standard than
the past has set. 1t merely continues
the great tradition along new lines.
Thomas W. Mason was born in Dra-
cut. near Lowell. Mass, in 1889. He
was 80 when he began making prints.
wood cuts and wood engravings. He
Is completely self-taught. His first line
engraving on copper was made in 1893.
and since then he has engraved about
Evening star., 1938-01-09

"taken on the spot" with which many
Of the reportorial drawings of the last
century were marked. From all ac-
counts he produced with gusto. but
was shy and reticent, and hid his
personality behind the wall of his
achievement. He was loquacious only
with his pencil" one of his biographers
says But his pencil was always in
hand. With it he strolled the Paris
boulevards and the London parks and
streets. He had veritable passion for
recording Thus he reflected for many
years the life of his time, and without
malice or bias. There is a kinship in
his work to that of Daumier. but Guys
was not reformers he did not in
dulge in satire, he had apparently no
desire to show off.
Seldom Cheney, In his recent World
History of Art" says of him. He was
neither a caricaturist nor a propa-
randist, but only a recorder of the
life around him, with a talent that
lifted some Of his drawings to the
estate of mastery design" Adding.
"He Is. some believe. the most char
acterktic illustrator of the latter half
Of the 10Th century. with q nervous,
shorthand style of drawing that got
down precise and animated impress
sions."
THIS admirably describes Guys
work. He was a master of sig
nifcant line, but not necessarily line
that was beautiful. Primarily his
use OF line was graphic; his drawings
are full of life-they invariably tell
the story, and in the fewest strokes.
The French critic, Mauclair, refers to
his nervous elegance and expressive
skill" Unschooled, never of the acad-
edy, self-taught, he excelled through
gift and Unborn competence. Few
draughtsmen could boast his sure eye
and manual dexterity." He was, we
are told, an ardent lover of horses,
soldiers pretty women and the mob,
and all of these he drew repeatedly.
But he was as bystander, rather
than an actor. in the passing show;
little or nothing is known of his per-
sonality.
After the downfall of the Second
Empire he passed into a strange OBJ
livion from which he has only lately
been rescued. In 1909 his drawings
could be purchased for song; today
their possession is disputed by collec-
tors all over the world. And yet ms
work must have strongly influenced
his contemporaries. The material he
dealt with so vividly was, in itself,
the stuff of which life is made, and
takes its color. His passion for re-
cording with pencil, crayon, in ink
and in water color, continued as long
as he lived, and his professional ca
reer covered nearly half century.
The works to be included in the
exhibition at the Phillips Memorial
Gallery show great variety in theme
and in treatment. In them is reflected
the life OF q past era. Glimpses are
given of those In high society and
those of the under world; the horses
he set forth are all high steppers;
the women he pictures are infinitely
more than dolls. Passing them in
review the thought presents itself
that here was an artist willing to
forget himself ip what he did, and
one expressing himself so clearly and
corcisely that he could be fully un-
derstood. 1t is foolish to suggest that
art Of this sort has been banished by
photography, for 1t has quality and
charm which photography at its best
Evening star., 1938-01-09

stance, as along the Hudson" a red
shack on . float, no intrinsic beauty
Of subject matter but fascinating In
color scheme and the way it is rem
dered. Mr.. BoSa contributes also a
number Of small paintings in oil and
gouache, matted but unframed, among
which one entitled Near the Zoo" is
especially notable.
The work OF Blinn is a little more
usual than that Of either Of his COL
leagues, but it. too, has strength and
character. His New Hampshire
Farm" is an interesting canvas, we'll
composed. cleverly interpreted. His
two smaller canvases, "A Brown Pony"
and stable Boy" respectively, are
also commendable. This exhibition
will continue through January IA.
Evening star., 1938-01-09

do it; combination of gift and techni-
cal achievement. This is the tradition
established by the masters Of the 18th
century and followed for over 500
years. 1t may be outworn, but it is the
works of these masters which are still
most treasured and best understood.
However, we are living in changing
world, under very much changed con-
ditions, and to all sincere innovators
and investigators we must accord ad-
miration for gallant courage. Mr..
Gates is one of these. He is obviously
feeling his way. Now and then he
strikes a new note that is not only
thought-provoking, but charming. To
what will 1t lead? Even he himself
cannot say,
Evening star., 1938-01-09
Engrauinqs By Mason on VieU
In Smithsonian Building.

FIFTY engravings on wood and cop
per by Thomas w. Mason are
now on view in the Smithsonian Build
ing under the auspices of the Division
Of Graphic Arts Of the United States
National Museum, and a more charm
ing collection would be hard to find.
There are comparatively few wood en-
gravers or engravers on copper today,
but in both of these fields Mr.. Mason
excels. The tempo of goth century
life is so fast. the pressure upon it
so great" says John Taylor Arms.
president OF the Society of American
Etchers, in recently published trip-
ute to Mr.. Mason. that there has until
recently been little tendency on the
part of the graphic artists to devote
themselves to an instrument so es-
sentially formal and restrained in its
expression The art OF the true line
Evening star., 1938-01-09
GIFTS RECOGNIZED
Three Young Painters Are Introduced to
Capital by Junior League, With Fresh, Col.
orful and Skillfully Executed Works.

the artists shared in like manner by
England and the United States are
Benjamin West and John Singleton
Copley. 1t is to this gallery that
three wings have been added through
the generosity OF the Duveens, the
present Lord Duveen and his father,
two of which were designed by the
late John Russell Pope, architect Of
our own National Gallery Of Art, now
under construction.
Mr.. Ede's curatorship of the Tate
Gallery goes back IS years and he is
especially well known as . student
and critic OF modern art. Through
his instrumentality some Of the most
talented Of English painters today
have been brought to public notice.
His home in London is said to be the
rendezvous for artists and those in
terested in art He Is the author of
Savage Messiah" and various criti-
cal articles on art published in the
current magazines.
This and other lectures given un-
der the auspices OF the Washington
Society Of the Fine Arts are pri-
marily for the members. No tickets
are sold at the door, but admission
can be obtained by application in
advance, either to the secretary or to
members.
Aleris B. Mdny-
Artist and Teacher.
THE death Of Alexis B. Many, which
occurred during the Christmas
holidays left gap in local art circles
which will not soon be filled Born
In Indianapolis, Ind. August 10, 1873,
Mr. Many came to Washington about
1900. He became a teacher Of art
in the Mckinley High School, posi-
ton which he held without Interrupt
ton until . little more than a year
ago, when, because Of i'll health, he
was obliged to resign. He was a MEM
Der Of the Society Of Washington
Artists. and in 1921 received from his
colleagues OF this society q much
coveted award. From time to time ne
exhibited not only with the local art
associations but separately. He was
exceedingly gifted and his talent was
Evening star., 1938-01-09
Bv Leila Mechliu.
~HE Phillips Memorial Gallery
l will open this afternoon in its
.r;,,+ roo,,oe M oyt;h;+{op If

"HE Phillips Memorial Gallery
will open this afternoon in its
print rooms an exhibition of
L drawings in line and wash by
Constantin Guys, the French 10Th
century illustrator. who has been re
discovered" in recent years and whose
works are now much sought by con-
noisseurs About 30 examples will be
displayed, among which several come
from the Phillips collection, others
from dealers in New York and from
private collectors in other cities. It
will be an event Of very considerable
note
Guys life practically conceded with
the past century. He was born in 1905
and died in 1892. Aside from the fact
that he was the son of French parents,
born and baptized at Flushing. Hol-
land. comparatively little is known
about him until his illustrations began
to appear in current publications in
Paris and London. His father was
commissary of the French marine,
which took him to various countries,
oAAA AZ AZ aAAoSAopooI tiAab JOOlls 1uyS
Travelled with him. thereby accumu-
lsting valuable memories. He was
brought up. it is said, to be soldier,
and as young man was an officer of
dragons. In 1845, according to his
historians, he was installed in Paris
and no longer in the army 1t was
then that he began to turn his habit
Of sketching to good account.
Among the publications for which
he worked were the Illustrated London
News and Punch. The former sent
him to the front in the N'imean War
as art correspondent, and the set of
drawings he made at that time is much
coveted by collectors He was the
first" Huneker says, "of long line of
newspaper illustrators" and he estab-
lshed fine tradition.
But Guys was perhaps unusual in
that he remained an illustrator for
current publications during his entire
life, not painting as did Daumier, when
he got a chance, or trying lithography
as did Gavarni and Goya. He is said
to have originated the expression
Evening star., 1938-01-09
Curator OF the Tate Gallery,
London, to Lecture Here.

HE washington Society OF Fine
Arts announces an illustrated lee
ture, British Painting" to be given
by H. S. EIDE, in the lecture hall
of the United States Chamber of
Commerce next Thursday evening,
January l3, at $50 o'clock. Mr.. EIDE
is the curator of the Tate Gallery
London, which is, as almost every one
knows, primarily devoted to the exhi-
bition of British art, and now houses
certain works by American artists
who, from long residence in Great
Britain, are accepted as of the British
school. These include Whistler. Alb
bey. the late Frank D. Millet and
others. but most notably John Singer
Sargent. for the exhibition of whose
work a special gallery was designed
and set aside Also included among
Evening star., 1938-01-09

Of . rare sort. He had a keen sense
Of decoration and his paintings more
often than not showed imaginative
power. He was always interested IN
that which was new and innovations
which lead along untried paths, but
his sense Of beauty kept him from
adopting that which was extreme. The
Mckinley High School has on its walls
some of his decorative paintings.
He was greatly beloved by both
pupils and teachers and held in high
esteem by his professional colleagues
In the 1885 annual exhibition of the
Society of Washington Artists one of
his works, dramatic painting of
mountains. very impressive in dignity
and strength as we'll as imaginative
outlook, was given the place of honor.
Arts Club Exhibitions
And Other Activities
Opening the Ne1D Year.
EXHIBITIONS of paintings by
Catharine P. Melton and Lucia B
Hollerith. both of this city, will open
this afternoon at the Arts Club. and
continue until January q. Miss Mel
ton is a pupil of the Corcoran School
of Art. Wayman Adams and Catherine
Critcher. She has painted in Portugal
and Mexico, Is member of the Arts
Club. the Society of Washington
Artists and the Southern States Art
League. Her work is strong, individual
and impressive. Miss Hollerith studied
under Cameron Burnside, Henry B.
Smell and Eliot O'Hara and has worked
both in Paris and in Salzburg. She,
too, is a member of the Arts Club, the
Society of Washington Artists and the
Southern States Art League, also the
National Association Of Women
Painters and Sculptors and the Art
League Of Springfield, Mass. She is
better known for her paintings in oil
than in water color. This is, in fact,
her first one-man exhibition in this
medium. Both artists, Miss Melton
and Miss Hollerith. will be hostesses
at the opening tea this afternoon.
Next Thursday very distinguished
American craftsman. Samuel Yellin,
ironworker of Philadelphia, will lee
ture informally on Craftsmanship"
at the Arts Club. Following his ad-
dress a motion picture made by the
Metropolitan Museum Of Art showing
Mr.. Yellin at work will be exhibited.
Finished work shown in the film will
also be on display.
The clubs Bal Boheme, which this
year promises to be even more dis
tinguished and colorful than ever,
takes place tomorrow evening at the
Willard Hotel.
Ed1uard S. Shorter, Georgia
Artist, Exhibits at the
Corcor1n Gallery of Art.
THE Corcoran Gallery of Art has
placed on temporary exhibition q
group of ~ paintings by Edward S.
Shorter Of Georgia, former pupil
of the Corcoran School Of Art. These
paintings have been hung in the lit
tie gallery on the first floor in the
southeast corner and make a very
creditable showing. Included are fig
ures as well as landscapes and town
pictures. The portrait studies are
good in construction, we'll drawn and
firmly modelled. The outdoor paint
ings, landscapes, etc, show careful
observation and likewise a good sense
of form. Particularly notable among
the figures Is . double portrait study
Evening star., 1938-01-09

OF young man and q young girl.
Especially pleasing among the land
scapes is one entitled Back Of Ger.
sons" and another Spring at Aunt
Sarah's," the latter putting emphasis
on blossoming fruit tree.
Mr.. Shorter has recently held q
one-man exhibition In New York and
has shown quite frequently during the
last couple Of years in exhibitions
here. in Georgia, and otner parts Of
the country.
TDO Pictures Sold From
Exhibition OF Sporting Paintings.
THE Washington Gallery Of the NIL
scum Of Modern Art announces
two sales made during the exhibition
OF Sporting Paintings" which opened
December 13 and closes this after
noon. The canvases sold were Silks
and Satins of the Turf" a most at
tractive composition painted by Benz
jamin Herring-a 18th century pic
ture-and The Bookmakers" by Lee
Townsend, contemporary artist. This
exhibition has attracted much favor
able attention and proved very pop
ular with connoisseurs of art as well
as ardent sportsmen.
Homer, Abbey and Vedder,
Distinguished American
Artists, Honored.
A YEAR or more ago memorial
exhibition of paintings by Wins
low Homer was held in his old studio
at Prouts Neck, Me, where some Of
his finest work was produced Now,
by the will Of the late Martha e.
Homer, this building will eventually
become permanent Winslow Homer
Museum.
In this connection It is interesting
to know that the Yale Gallery OF Fine
Arts has lately received as a pernia-
nent exhibition the personal collec.
ton Of the late Edwin A. Abbey. con-
slsting OF 100 or more paintings and
sketches, and about 300 original
drawings by Abbey. as we'll as many
by his friends and contemporaries,
prints, photographs and miscellaneous
papers. Abbey and Homer we're con-
Evening star., 1938-01-09
Interior Department
Art Gallery to Be
Open This Afternoon.

THE exhibition of paintings by stu
dents in American colleges and
professional schools on view in the
college wing of the Fine Arts GAL
lery Of the Interior Department, c.
street entrance, seventh floor, will
be open this afternoon and again on
Sunday afternoon. January 30, for
the benefit of persons who are unable
during regular Government and school
hours to see the collection. which
includes paintings by over 125 stu
dents from more than a score of
schools and colleges throughout the
country. This exhibition, which Is
open daily during Government hours,
will continue through February.
Evening star., 1938-01-09
C. LdU Watkins to Glue q
Series OF Conferences
On Modern Art,


THE Phillips Memorial Gallery Is
pleased to announce that Mr.. c.
Law Watkins. associate director Of
the gallery, will give q series Of eight
informal conferences on "The Back
ground and Theories of Modern Art"
starting Thursday evening, January
13, at $3.50.
The meetings, which will last one
hour, will be held in the main gal
lery, permitting the close study and
informal discussion Of original paint
ings, supplemented by slides and color
reproductions.
Although the series is planned as
course and may be subscribed to as
such, tickets are available for indi.
v1dual lectures.
Evening star., 1938-01-09

temporaries and were both making
illustrations for current periodicals in
New York at the same time. the time
when American illustration was es-
sentially at its best.
The American Academy of Arts and
Letters has a custom of honoring one
OF its members, living or deceased, by
an exhibition which lasts from No
vember to May The artist SO hon.
ored this year is Elihu Vedder, who
so magniicently illustrated Omar
Khayyam, and also did the splendid
mosaic of Minerva in the Library
of Congress. Vedder lived the greater
part of his life in Rome, as Abbey
did in London. but neither gave up
his allegiance to the United States.
Both exerted q strong influence on
American art and We're of the same
coterie.
Evening star., 1938-01-09

Forty-Second Annual
Exhibition OF Water Color
Club to Open Saturday.
THE Washington Water Color Club
will open its forty-second annual
exhibition in the Corcoran Gallery of
Art next Saturday afternoon. January
Is. This has always been an interest
ing event and there is every reason
to believe that the tradition will be
continued, The present officers of the
club are Seward Hume Rathbun, ar
chitect as we'll as water colorist, presi-
dent; Roy Clark, vice president:
Eleanor Parke Gusts, treasurer, and
Susan B. Chase, secretary. The Board
of Managers comprises Norman An
derson, Pearl Potter Ez, Marguerite
Mum. Clara R. Saunders and Eliza
beth Evans Sayre. The preview will
be from 2 to 4:30 o'clock.
Evening star., 1938-07-31
CHICAGO LIVESTOCK.

CHICAGO July 30 up Omitted States
nepaItment PEI a5tn. M OF Agriculturel TO-DAY saw
on all livestock. The closing undertone.
however. was weak on hogs and lambs and
trade belief here was that top hogs will
early in the week. fat lambs sold off. Only
choice and prime fed steers held fully
steady; prime heavy topping at sl3; The
Hogs 1000. including 1,so0 direct;
defined market; no no strictly choice iisht hogs hogs
availaoe; aVad few scattered % lots lot medium to
choice. 16O-25O pounds, 1913 lower:
heavy butchers and packing sows 1918
Cattle. 400: calves, 100 Compared Fri
day last week: Strictly good choice and
all grades yearlings about steady; active.
put common oTa, medium an5 ordinarily goSd
strong. cows steady. bulls steady. to strong
tinaent fed steers and yearlinss; ii 90 up
ward: numerous loads steers above 90.
tss posnas sSG hsaess oss ss.rnss REss
iinss, 1i.5o: light heifers. ii IS: average
all most 6ng meda ssrs abvssa S Tssk assuna
selling at ss.75 down, with best active and
Southwest heavy grassers UP to 1925 and
heavy shortfeds to ! so.
Sheep 5000. including ;990 direct direct
Compared Friday last week Spring lambs
strong to 25 higher yearlings fully $3.50
up sheep steady weeks spring lamb top.
97O. paid for choice s4-pound Washing
| tons to small killers: Westerns to packers
| and natives to all interests as high as
| aOO-a4O: no choice Westerns available
and no natives good enough to pass $50
at close; top. 102--pound dry-fed slaushter
slaughter ewes 3.75: bulk. 1858 so: clos
| ing bulk 70 and 73 pound oregon and
| Washington feeding lambs, 7.s5.