Evening star., 1938-01-23

OF Fine Arts at Richmond
has taken its place among the leading
institutions Of art in this section of
the country, partly through its wise
direction. partly on account Of the
notable character of the exhibits set
forth therein. The inaugural exhibi.
ton. two years ago. gave a compre-
hensive survey Of the art of painting
IN America from the earliest time to
today; last year at about this time
an outstanding exhibition of sculp-
cure by Malvina Hoffman was held:
now comprehensive memorial exhi-
pltlon OF the works of Carl Melchers
has been placed on view in celebra-
ton of this second anniversary.
This exhibition comprises more
than $50 examples OF Mr.. Melchers'
work. and is in the nature of q me-
mortal to his service and interest In
the advancement of art in Virginia.
since. In 1916, he took up his per-
manent residence at Belmont, Just
outside Falmouth, Va. 1t was the
late Gov. John Garland Pollard who
induced Mr.. Melchers to serve on the
Virginia Art Commission; it is in
the name Of Gov. Peery and his wife
that invitations to the preview of
the memorial exhibition Of Carl
Melchers' works, which took place
last Monday evening. We're issued.
One room in the Virginia Museum of
Fine Arts bears Carl Melchers' name
as permanent memorial. not only
OF his achievement, but of his services
rendered in the field of art to the
State, and in particular to the plan
ming OF the Virginia Museum.
Thomas c. Colt, jr., director of the
museum, has secured loans, not only
from Mrs. Melchers and the Melchers
estate. but from some of the leading
Art museums and collections in the
country. The Corcoran Gallery of
Art IN this city has lent Maternity:
from the Phillips Memorial Gallery
mas come The Smithy"; other we'll.
known examples have been lent by
the Albright Gallery of Buffalo, the
Art Institute of Chicago, the Detroit
institute of Art, the Metropolitan
Museum of Art, the Pennsylvania
Academy OF Fine Arts, to mention
only few. In addition to approxi-
nately l30 oil paintings, there are
also included in this showing water
colors, drawings and sketches. Thus
IN comprehensive way the scope and
range OF Melchers' genius from his
student days in Holland to the time
OF his death in 1882 are covered.
A good many of the paintings in
THIS exhibition were included in an
annual exhibition held shortly after
Mr.. Melchers' death, in the Corcoran
Gallery OF Art but Washingtonians
who saw that exhibition will want to
see this and will find the trip to Rich
mond and return none too high a
price or great an effort to pay for
the pleasure.
1t Is not an eXaggeration to say that
Carl Melchers was one of the greatest
painters America has produced and
that to his credit stand perhaps more
notable achievements in the field of the
art OF painting than any other Ameri-
can artist could claim. It is an ex-
traordinary fact also that Melchers
was, and still is, equally esteemed by
conservatives and radicals. STEPPED
Is he was IN tradition. he had An open
mind to innovation and was hospitable
to change, although from first to
last his work was conservative and
traditional. The Virginia Museum of
Fine Arts has issued an elaborately
illustrated catalogue of this exhibition,
thus further enchancing its value and
serving as perpetual memento The
Melchers exhibition will remain on
view till the end Of February.
Virginia Museum Announces
First Biennial Exhibition.
A. THE same time the Virginia
Museum of Fine Arts has issued
prospectus for its First Biennial Ex-
hibition Of Contemporary American
Paintings, to be held from March IL
to April "a. These exhibitions will be
held In alternate years with the Cor
coran Galley of Arts biennial, thus
preventing any possible conflict of
interests on the part Of artists and
public. The purpose of the proposed
series is to present to the people Of
the Southern Atlantic States a collec-
ton Of contemporary work which will
cover comprehensively in scope and
quality the field OF painting today;
to give to the artists of America a
further competitive opportunity to
gain recognition and support from an
enlarged public, and to bring together
q collection from which professional
jury may make wise selections for
purchase for the museums permanent
collection. These purchases will be
made from the income on the John
Barton Payne Fund. The accrued in
terest from this fund available for
awards in this first biennial amounts
to $4,000. The jury invited by the
museum to pass on paintings offered
for the approaching exhibition con-
sists of Edward Hopper, chairman:
Daniel CARRIER, Charles Hopkinson,
John Carroll and Bernard Karfiol,
the director Of the museum serving
as member ex-oficio.
There are unique and interesting
features in connection with this exhibi-
ton. The jury will recommend group
Of outstanding paintings for considera-
ton for purchase, but the decision will
be left to the Accessions Committee, Of
which Mrs. Carl Melchers Is chairman.
Each artist whose work Is purchased
for the permanent collection OF the
museum will be awarded the John B.
Payne Medal, executed by Paul Man.
ship. Also each Virginia artist whose
work Is submitted to the jury and hung
will be invited to hold . one-man show
in the museum during the next sue
ceeding season.
Recent Paintings BY Mrs. Miles
NoU on Vie1D.
MRS. WALTER MILES is holding
Ava an exhibition Of her recent paint
ings In the gallery of the District OF
Columbia branch Of the National
League Of Pen Women. the Grafton