Evening star., 1939-10-08
Traditional
Charm Seen
By Mr.. Hobbs
Etcher Is Resident
OF Section Shown
In His Works
Bv Leila MechIin.

6edSOIl Inlay IlOW Uc Sccll Ill tllc Gil"
trance hall of the United States
National Museum, Natural History
Building, at Tenth street and Con-
stitution avenue. 1t consists of 36
etchings, dry points and aquatints
by Morris Henry Hobbs, president
of the Louisiana Society of Etchers,
and is full of unique interest and
charm. With but few exceptions
Mr.. Hobbs has found his themes in
the old quarter of New Orleans, so
replete with historic interest and
picturesque charm.
Here is material which could not
fail to fascinate an artist, or one to
whom romance and beauty make
appeal, and in all of Mr.. Hobbs
transcriptions these qualities have
found tangible expression. Further
more, to insure historic background, |,
Mr.. Hobbs has supplied brief notes
about the subjects he has chosen,
which, typed, accompany each print.
To see this exhibition is like visiting
the "Vieux Care" with a we'll
informed and sensitive artist as
guide: not only does he tell us about
what he sees but opens our eyes to
its utmost subtleties.
None of the plates, from which
impressions shown in this exhibition
were made, is very large; in fact,
the majority are exceptionally small,
but merit does not derive from size,
and in an etching no bigger than a
mans hand there may be the es-
sence of all that is to be told.
Resort of Artists.
Such is the case of the etching in
this collection entitled Madame
Johns Legacy"-a picture of the
oldest structure now standing in the
"Vieux Carre," about which much
has been written. Its first owner
was Jean Pascal, ships captain,
from Provence, France, who was
killed in the massacre at Fort Rosa
lie by Natchez Indians George W..
Gable made it the setting for his
story. "Tite Poulette," in "Old
Creole Days" and from this purely
fictitious tale it derives its present
name. Some years ago it was res
cued from dilapidation by one who
loves the old Creole architecture,
and it has in recent years become
a favorite resort of artists. Incl
dentally, it is in this house that Mr..
Hobbs lives and has his studio.
WING with this tiny print in in
terest are those of THE Cabildo," i"
once the Casa Capitals when
Louisiana was possession OF Spain
and later, for 20 days, the "Malson
de Vile" when France was owner,
just before the transfer of territory
to the United States; the House OF
NAPOLEON" prepared for Bonaparte
to live in had the scheme for his
rescue from st. Helena by a rowdy
pirate crew from New Orleans under
official authorization been success
full. and the La Laurie House. built
in 1882, which all agree is haunted
by the ghosts of slaves found
chained in it's cellar-or perhaps by
those of the owners who were driven
out of the city when their cruelty
was discovered.
There is an excellent view OF
sGallatin Street." which of all the
streets near the water front was
most notorious and dangerous, and
equally fine, as we'll as engaging, is
a print of "Chartres Street, which,
by the way, was the 1899 publl-
cation of the Louisiana Society OF
Etchers, issued exclusively to men,
bers.
All of these have artistic interest
as we'll as traditional significance
and collectively 60 to show that
between the two there is actually
no conflict. Obviously some OF the
prints are finer than others-in
other words now and then the
pure beauty of a theme has swept
the artist off his feet and the
result shows the artistic element
dominant.
An example is transcription OF
an "Old Doorway" bedabbled with
sunlight and shadow, as is Garden
Gate at Casa Manana," )" which is
also patterned by light and shade.
'The Little Shop with its pro-
prietor in the shadowy doorway and
the texture of its stucco walls ably
interpreted. gives pure esthetlc
pleasure to the onlooker; and as
compositions, well rendered. much
may be said in praise of Crap Game
on Burgundy Street" 'Mardi Gras
on Royal Street" and Clothes Pole
Alley"-not to mention others
equally as good.
Preserve Romance.
To those interested in architec-
ture, this collection of etchings will
have especial meaning, but in ad-
dition to their factual merit they
possess, in very large measure, the
spirit of place and preserve. for
all time, what may be called the
perfume of romance which is inher-
ent herewith.
Giving slight variation and wit
Messing to the print makers versa
tility is an aquatint of sail boats on
Lake Pontchartrain entitled Dust
ing Up"-very breezy and charm
1ng-and a sheet mounting four
small nudes the size of current
postage stamps, pure etchings, ex-
ouisitely rendered.
Morris Henry Hobbs was born in
Rockford. Ill.,. in 1892 and studied
at the Art Institute of Chicago BY
profession he is an architect, but
in 1926 he took up etching and in
1927 the Brooklyn Society of Etchers
accepted one of his prints for ex-
hibition. Since then he has ex-
hibited with some of the leading
groups throughout this country. In
1880 he had the honor of having one
of his etchings included in Fine
Prints of the Year" The same COM
pliment was paid him again in 1885
Not only is he the president OF
the Louisiana Society of Etchers
but a director of the Chicago So
ciety of Etchers. He has been
elected to membership by the Cleve-
land Printmakers, the Northwest
print IN knrc or6 tho Mouth Clooro