Evening star., 1939-06-18

prymidal composition. The light
comes from a window to the left
and is pure and luminous. To the
right stand a basin of water, an
ever and a candlestick. It has been
truly said that Van Eyck's art was
a craft carried to scrupulous per-
fection, but for this very reason it
still speaks to the world In no un-
certain terms and what he had to
say was said with utmost clarity
and dignity. Strangely enough these
early painters who considered their
art but a means to an end possessed
an unmistakable style which in the
works of those of this later day is
completely absent.
In connection with the Ma
donna by Van Eek, visitors to this
exhibition will be privileged to see the
engaging painting of "St. Jerome
in His Study" by Petrus Christus,
who lived in Burgess during the third
quarter of the 18th century and
carried on the style of the Van
Eycks. This is lent by the Detroit
Art Institute, from which have come
IA other masterpieces. From the
collection of Edsel B. Ford have
come the lovely Angel and Virgin
OF the Annunciation." by Fra An
gellco, which, it will be remembered,
were shown in the Century of
Progress exhibition in the Art In
stitute of Chicago, but could never
be seen too often. Mr.. Ford also
lends three other works OF distinc-
ton.
Holbein Represented.
Holbein is especially we'll repre-
sented. two Of his portraits coming
from the Bache collection-one of
the little Edward vi similar to that
IN the Mellon collection, the other
OF Dirk Berck. A self portrait is
from the collection of DR.. Cloves of
Indianapolis. Edward S. Harkbess
lends his portrait of member of the
"Wedigh Family" and DR.. Alexan-
der Hamilton Rice his portrait of a
"Steelyard Merchant" There are
numerous Rembrandts and works by
Halls. The Rijks Museum, Amster-
dam, has lent paintings by Vermeer.
Ruysdael. Macs, Ostade, Buytewech
and Pieter de Hoogh. What a
galaxy!
| One special gallery is devoted to
masterpieces by Ell Greco. Valasouez
and Goya are we'll represented. The
English school is at it's best in works
by the great portraitists of the 18th
century, supplemented by such mas
tiers as Wilson. Constable and
Turner. Among the French painters
OF the late 18th and early 18th CEN
turies Is David, with whom this great
chapter of the art of painting came
to a close. But what a record!
The works lent from the Mellon
collection are "Old Woman" by
Halls; Interior With Figures" by
Terborch, and SELF Portrait" by
Rembrandt. From the Phillips COL
lection came the head of Peter" by
Goya, comparatively recent &C
cession. and from the Bliss collec-
ton, Portrait of Princess of
the House of Savoy" by Robert
Campin. With such resources in pri-
vate and public collections in the
United States as are evidenced in
this collection, what great potentiali-
ties our National Gallery of Art now
IN construction, but to be opened, it
is hoped, in little more than a
year, should possess!
Why, some may ask, should this
art of the past have place in a
Worlds Fair dedicated primarily to
the life of tomorrow? The answer
has been given by DR.. Valentiner
himself. Because" he says, mo un-
derstanding of present-day forces is
possible without knowledge of the
accomplishments of the past" Also,
it is his conviction that at the be-
ginning of new epoch, such as the
present. 1t is of the utmost i'm
portance to "set standards. This
the Masterpieces of Art Exhibition
does, not merely adequately, but SUI
premely. 1t is great lesson, as well
as a great Joy.