Evening star., 1941-03-16

ings is seen that perfection Of taste
which particularly belongs to this
school and to these people.
In the English art of the 18th
century there may be more superfici-
ality, but certainly less frivolity. The
men and women, especially the lat
ter, portrayed by the masters of the
British school of the late 18th CEN
tury, were very reserved, unap-
proachable, though undoubtedly
courageous, graceful and gracious.
One may admire them, but not get
close to them-knoW them. Several
galleries in the new National Gallery
of Art have been given over to works
of this country and period. These
are to the east of the rotunda, and
at the end of the series, terminat-
ing the vista, is full-length por-
trait by Gainsborough of Mrs. Rich
ard Brinsley Sheridan. famous
beauty and dancer, wife of the
dramatist. 1t is handsome paint
ing, the beautiful Mrs Sheridan seen
seated on knoll against a stately
background of trees and open land
Scape, but is not calculated to set
the pulse galloping as do some of
those we have already stood before.
But what decoration. and how in
keeping with its time! Gainsborough
and Sir Joshua Reynolds were rivals
IN their day-and still are-but in
the presence, as here. of their most
distinguished canvases, it is difficult
to assign to either supremacy over
the other Reynolds is at his best in
two full-lengths, Lady Elizabeth
Compton" and Lady Elizabeth
Define and Her Children Much
admired, also, is his painting of
/ Lady Caroline Howard" little
daughter of the fifth Earl of Car
Isle, a charming child-picture,
somewhat similar to his age Of
Innocence" i'll the National Gallery.
London, but even more sprightIv
painted. Gainsborough is also rep-
resented by second full-length Of
the Duchess of Devonshire," a
famous canvas, and by one of his
best landScapeS-an exceptionally
charming composition, painted with
EVIDENT enthusiasm and freedom,
Double Portrait.
Romney and Lawrence are here,
too, and at their best, as is Hoppner,
who, by the way. is represented bv
what many think to be his most
enchanting double portrait-that Of
THE Frankland Sisters"
All of these are Enthusiastically
English-but equally Enthusiastically
Scottish are three portraits by Rae
burn of Edinburgh, who so wisely
took the advice of Reynolds to
forego the glamour of London and
paint the people of his own coun-
try-which, as will be seen. he not
only did, but supremely well. Here
are his portraits of Col Francis
/ James Scott, in red coat: John
TAFT and grandson and Eleanor
Urquhart. in white, all vital and
strong interpretations of person.
allty and character. This was Rae
burns particular gift, to make alive
those he painted, to give assur-
ance of mentality of individuality,
to endow with immortality-as. for
| instance, did those he would have
| gladly called master, Bellini, REM
brandt and Velasquez.
American Art.
American art is at present only
represented in our National GAL
lery of Art by examples of our early
school composed chiefly of portrait
painters, who, for the most part,
derived from the English, studying
in England or with those who had
been there instructed. Their works,
however, have, it would seem, when
seen here in the National Gallery,
rather surprising nationalist strain
they are not English, they are
frankly American. Take, for ex-
ample. Edward Savages huge can
vas portraying The Washington
Family at Mount Vernon" we'll
known through engravings; Gill
bert Stuart's portraits of John
Randolph when youth, of WASH
ington and Mrs. Yates. Vests por-
trait of Col. Guy johnson of Mo-
hawk fame is here also, as is
Copley's portrait of Gen. Howe and
other American celebrities by Sully,
Harding, Trumbull, Peale and their
contemporaries. AS time goes on,
this American section undoubtedly
will be expanded.
This National Gallery of Art,
which we owe to Mr.. Melons FORE
! thought and extraordinary munifi-
cence, opens this week under most
auSpiciouS circumstances-disti
| guished leadership and direction.
The influence it will exert on public
appreciation and by way of stimu-
lation of art among contemporary
artists undoubtedly will be great
| inestimable-but the chief bene-
| ficiarieS will be WaShingtonianS,
to whom it will afford exceptional
opportunities both for study and
enjoyment. The greatest fun is
that which one can have with ones
mind-Seeing, hearing, understand
ing. A city is what its people are.
therefore, whatever contributes to
a higher level of living serves a
great end. In making this con-
tribution to our National Capital,
the National Gallery of Art will be
tangibly strengthening the whole
Nation. -ly
Following the formal dedication
tomorrow evening, the National GAL
lery, from Tuesday morning on, in
definitely. will be open to the public
on week days from 10 am to S pm,
on Sundays from 2 to S pm.
Il Il 9S.Ii:, s;as.