Evening star., 1941-04-20

proficiency with which these ex-
hibiting water colorists, and others
of the same school, evidence is very
remarkable. The new mode of han
ding water color was introduced in
this country by WinSlow Homer,
who, in all probability, never for a
moment thought that he was break
ing a new path across the field of
art Later, Sargent demonstrated
further possibilities, but along rather
similar lines of force and directness;
and others, equally frank, and also
especially gifted, made further con-
tribution-not from desire to be
original, but because originality was,
with them, as with their predeces-
sors, inherent. Suddenly, it seems
that many are using this medium
with skill. vigor and occasionally
real brilliancy.
Outstanding Paintings.
Take the current showing for eX-
ample. Here are so paintings, by
nearly the same number of artists,
more than half of which would
be outstanding in any exhibition.
And how varied they are, repre-
senting, in each instance, the indi-
vidual artists point of view and,
markedly, personal style of render
ing.
The place of honor on one long
wall of the gallery has been given
to a figure painting of boy and
his dog, Steve and Bob" by Seward
Hume Rathbun, president of the
Washington Water Color Club, and
on the other, to landscape, Folded
Hills" by Eliot O'Hara. Mr.. Rath-
bun is an architect by training and
a teacher, son of the late DR.. Rich
ard Rathbun, for many years secre-
tary of the National Museum, emf
nent scientist and deeply interested
In art, one of those who long ago
envisioned a great national gal
lery of art and did what he could
toward eventual realization. Some
summers ago Seward Rathbun tenn
porarily put aside architecture for
painting and brought home from
the West Coast and Alaska very
engaging water colors of Spanish
missions and Eskimo totem poles,
as we'll as desert lands. For the
past couple of summers he has been
in New Hampshire and taken to
painting the country boys-summer
neighbors. There is something
Staunch and fine in the outstanding
figure of the boy he now shows,
something ingrained American and
trustworthy. The painter further
more seems to have matched his
rendering to his theme.
Mr. O'Hara who is reckoned with
our foremost water colorists of
today and, through his works and
teaching, has done much to raise
the level of the art, has never done
a finer piece of work than his
Folded Hills. Sonoita," in this ex-
hibition. The subject was found
near Tucson, Ariz., where for the
past two winters he has conducted
classes in water color painting. 1t
shows a mountain, wrapped in a
royal purple robe, towering against
a pale sky, between which and the
observer, fold upon fold, descend
lesser mountainous heights, touched
by the fading sun and so enrobed
In cloth of varying shades of gold,
from that which is old and dulled
to that which is yellow and gilt
tering. Open fields and trees,
dwarfed by the scale of the folded
hills. lie at their feet in peaceful
security. What gigantic subject
to undertake to interpret, but how
satisfyingly it is done and with ap-
parent understanding yet great
simplicity; not actuality but its
semblance-the essence of the
things seen so set forth that it con-
veys reality, while holding per-
petually the mystery of the unseen.
This is a profoundly impressive
work, very gravely beautiful
Efficient Handling.
In utterly different vein, but ex-
tremely efficient in handling and
charming in color and treatment, is
an interior, Betty Washingtons
Room, Kenmore" by Ruth Per-
kins Stafford. 1t is a delightful
room that Mrs. Stafford sets before
us and, to give it more sense of
use, the door of a closet has been
left open, with dainty dresses on
the hangers. Such a painting might
well be Photographic. but it is in
the avoidance of this peril as well
as in inherent charm, that this
painting excels. 1t has atmosphere,
BANTER quality, spontaneity, which