Evening star., 1939-01-15
Bv Leila Mecklin.

y
The Corcoran Gallery of Art has
placed on exhibition this week, as
loan, portrait by Irving r. Wiles
of his father and mother, which is
very distinguished canvas. Obvi-
ously, it belongs to the late 10th
century and, in a measure, reflects
the influence of Carolus-Duran,
under whom Wiles studied in Paris,
but good painting was done In those
days and from the studio of this
master came some of the best paint
ers within the memory of those still
living. Wiles is one of these, but
before he went to Paris he had ex-
cellent training in this country as
pupil of his father, Lemuel M. Wiles,
an accomplished painter of land
scapes, and also in the Art Students
League, New York. He was abroad
two years and did not begin exhibit
ing in New York until his return,
winning then, however, almost i'm
mediate recognition.
In 1886 he won the third Hallgar-
ten prize in the National Academy's
exhibition and three years later he
was awarded, under similar circum-
stances, the Clarke prize; from
which time on he has received at
the hands of his colleagues for his
paintings both in oil and water color
almost all the most coveted prizes
within their gift.
Among his outstanding works are
his portraits of Julia MarloWe and
Mrs. Gilbert-both great actresses;
of his wife and daughter-the lat
ter standing behind her mothers
chair-and the portrait of his father
and mother, now lent by the artist
to the Corcoran Gallery of Art. But
these merely head long and notable
list. of which mention may be made
of the portrait of John Gallatly in
cluded in the National Collection of
Fine Arts, that of George Hearn in
the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
and. coming closer home, the por-
trait of Charles Bittinger of this
city and his daughter, when little
girl
Moreover. Wiles has painted land
and seascapes, still life, interiors,
and always with characteristic
charm and simplicity. The writer
recalls having seen one man ex-
hlbition of his work in the Knoedler
Gallery, New York. when in its old
location on the corner of Fifth ave-
nue. and TWenty-third street, IS or
40 years ago, the memory of which
still persists pleasurably because of
the delightful quality of the paint
ing
Those who see the~double portrait
OF Mr.. Wiles' parents, which is now
hanging in the middle room of the
east range in the Corcoran Gallery
OF Art. will understand why this
was, for as work of art it speaks
Tor itself, Notwithstanding the fact
that it is exceptionally low-toned
and reticent. He has represented
his father and mother seated side
oy side, not as posing for a portrait.
put. as representing a long and
happy fellowship, sympathetic and
abiding. To produce a successful
canvas the artist, it is said, must
mix his paints with brains. Not
only DO we find this ingredient in
this particular work, but also that of
love. Never were an elderly couple
portrayed more kindly. Here is ex-
cellent characterization, convincing
likeness, and evidence of the inner
spirit which, of these two, dominated
lie. How refreshing it is, moreover.
to be able quietly to contemplate
such work without being screamed
at; to realize that beneath the sur
face is something which only on
long acquaintance will be fully re-
Vealed! From the technical stand
point this is beautiful piece Of
painting. carefully studied, skillfully
achieved.
Especially we'll does this portrait
stand for an era of painting that.
while line, is at present displaced,
an era when workmanship and
veracity of expression went hand
IN hand, and when, moreover. good
taste and good art were practically
one and the same. To this era
belong the paintings of John La
Farge, OF John Sargent and Cecilia
Beaux, of Thomas Eakin and Frank
Duveneck, of Chase and Brush and
Benson. To be sure, all of these
were not of the same generation,
but their ideals were the same.
And though of this brilliant coterie
three Gncluding Mr.. Wiles) are
still living, their works are for the
moment so outmoded that to some
they seem not to exist.
For instance, in an article in the
current number of Vogue, Mr.. Frank,
CroWinshield gives pre-eminence to
French and British artists In the
field of portraiture, and declares
that in the past so years America
has produced no master of the first
order in this art. To be sure, he
is referring especially to painters
OF fashionable women, but no por-
trait painter who has ever attained
to distinction has ignored this
class. Truth to tell, America has
made a rather high score in this
branch of art, beginning with West,
Copley and Stuart and continuing
down to today. Mr.. Wiles is still
painting portraits and very good
ones-so also are Mr.. and Mrs. John
G. Johansen, the Emmets, Lydia
s!!3lI!ys!!1 ~ s2B3gE ~