Evening star., 1940-05-12

delight can be we'll understood when
one inspects this collection of draw
ings, almost all Of which, by the way,
are in pen and ink, for not only are
they extremely we'll done, but they
possess that extraordinary mixture
Of humor and souno sense that
make Twain's writings immortal.
Types Of Drawings.
The first Illustration that the
visitor to this exhibition sees Is that
of the Connecticut Yankee up a
tree and about to be speared by q
knight in armor, while q helmet,
which he may have laio aside, looks
on, laughing with glee Later, the
drawings become more serious. In
Inherited Ideas Are Curious Things"
we see laborers carrying back-break-
ing burdens. such as poor Pilgrim"
carried in his Progress" atop which
reclines a figure representing the
ruling class, royalty, with a full horn
Of plenty in his hand. They Have
Right to Their View" is in the same
spirit. indicating the necessity for
free speech for q free people. "The
Tree and the Fruit" Is no less dra-
matte and startling-but, eventually,
there is the consummation of Peace
crowning those things Of the spirit
which the people have fought for
and won. What proof these draw
ings give Of the power of visual edu-
cation!
It is an interesting thing, although
entirely accidental, that while "A
Connecticut Yankee in King Ar
thurs Court" holds forth in the
South Curtain Gallery. assigned to
the Division Of Fine Arts for exhi-
bition purposes. on the second floor
Of the Library of Congress the whole
Of the main hall OF the basement
floor Of this great building Is de-
voted to q display set up by the
Works Progress Administration, wit
Messing to achievements along cul-
tlral lines and the serious need Of
their extension as well as continu-
ance. Here are to be seen excellent
examples of paintings made to go
into the Index Of American De-
signs" together with one oil and
several water color paintings, = few
pieces Of sculpture and some speci-
mems Of handicrafts, skillfully rem
dered. A very favorable impression
Is made both by the exhibits and
their arrangement.
Very impressive also is the star
ting use of words descriptive Of
present-day conditions which strike
the eye of the visitor upon entrance
to the library. We are told that
one-third Of the people in this
country see q picture only occa-
sionally and that in the field of
art two-thirds are "underprivileged." "
This condition Is, according to these
terse sentences, being remedied by
the sending out Of exhibitions to
outlying districts, 500 having gone
out Of Washington during the last
year. However, still one-third Of
our population have never seen an
exhibition Of art, nor have they
listened to q major musical program.
One-fourth are without library serv-
ice, 10000 are illiterate. And yet,
on the largest Of all the posters,
illustrated by the figure Of . cave
man in outline, We are told that
the foundation upon which this Ma
ton stands is "the dignity Of man
rs an individual" free expression
In politics and religion, privilege to
share In cultural benefits, etc. How
the Connecticut Yankee would enjoy
this exhibition One can almost
hear him laugh. Surely his journey
to King Arthur's Court was not in
vain-but do We hear . whispered
dissent? Is there still . joker block
ing the way Of progress? Perhaps
some present-day illustrator. taking
up the cloak that Mr.. Beard has
laid down, viii bring us answer.
The Arts Club
Last Exhibitions Of Season
Open This Afternoon.
The last of this seasons exhibi-