Evening star., 1941-03-09
Pleasurable Impression Is Created by
New Galleries in COrcOran Wing
Exhibits Enriched by
Works of Clark
Collection
Bv Leila MechHn.

The CorCoran Gallery OF Art has
opened four new galleries in its west
wing. which only now has been i'm
ished off and made available for ex-
hibition purposes. They are a great
addition, and in them are to be seen
rugs, laceS. faience and works OF
antiquity belonging to the w. A.
Clark collection previously displayed
in rooms in the basement. For these
examples of the decorative arts, the
new galleries, well proportioned and
beautifully lighted by south and
west windows, provide perfect set
ting, and the instant a visitor
crosses the threshold pleasurable
impression is made. The walls,
which are high. are finished in
sand-colored imitation stone OF
agreeable texture; the floors are laid
in what appears to be marquetry,
but is a composition with rubber as
a chief ingredient. which is we'll
calculated to minimize what is
known as museum fatigue; the
cases in which the exhibits have
been placed are excellent in design,
very simple and appropriately in
conspicuous.
The arrangement of the exhibits
Is notably effective. Some OF the
finest rugs in the Clark collection
have been hung on the walls and. by
color. textures and pattern, lend dis
tinction and enrichment. The first
gallery entered contains the falence;
maiolilca made in italy, chiefly in
the 18th century; old delft ware,
mostly of the 18th century, and
ware by Bernard de Palsy, famous
potter. enameler and glass painter
of Agen. France. who was born IN
1910 and lived until 1889. All these
wares are rich in color and, because
of this Immediately attract the eye
and hold the attention. We are apt
to think of delft ware as blue and
white, perhaps a bit heavy; but not
so is that Of the period here repre-
sented-indeed. to the contrary, the
pieces are fine in shape and tex
ture. the decorations dainty but very
decorative. Flowers are much used,
and some of the underglaze paint
ing would seem in spirit as well as
character. 20 derive from the
Chinese. The majolica much OF
which came from Siena, though not
a little from Urbino and Gubblo. is
heavier and in color still richer. the
whole body of the clay being COL
ored. or more properly, the entire
surface of the plate or dish.
Laid on Strongly.
Also. the pattern is laid on more
strongly, with less refinement OF line
but greater decorative effect-the
very effect which, it is easy to be-
lieve. some Of the modern painters /
strive to get on their canvaSes. I
Some of the majolica platters in
this collection have pictures Of the
Madonna on them in outline. quite .
a number show figures and. adding
to the colorful charm of some Speci- |
mems, is a patina of priSmatiC tlntS /
such as certain pottery and glass
acquires through long burial in
earth. The de Palissy ware is heavier .
than the majolica and, in most in
stances, is modelled in high relief as
we'll as vividly colored-very difficult,
one would imagine to keep clean or /
unscarred. but here are 35 perfect |
examples come down to US from the
18th century, among which eSpe-
cially engaging. are some single
figures and groups reminiscent OF
the time in which they were pro-
duced. How significant all this ware
is of the taste and artistic instinct
which we're commonly shared by
rich and poor alike at the time that
so many Of the worlds greatest mas
torpieces of painting were pro-
duced.
The laces in this collection fill
cases in two Of the galleries, one
piece of lace. in several instances.
occupying an entire large panel.
These are French, Flemish and
Italian and Of the 18th and 18th
centuries. All are miracles of
craftsmanship, wrought with con-
summate skill and almost unbe-
Iievable patience. In some in
stances, the thread is so fine that
1t takes more than 100 stitches to
make an inch, but both needle
point and bobbin-net are employed
with faultless precision-not that
of the machine but of the trained
hand in coordination with the
mind. Nothing could be more
lovely than the patterns of these
Iaces. like frost on the pane pat
termed by the hand of God. With
natural forms. leaf and flower, as
units. the designs flow with ease
and rhythm, as did the designs of
the same period for brocades. for
Wrought-iron gates, gold smithery,