Evening star., 1941-01-12


countries.
Not only does this signify the
print collection. but the merit as.
we'll as extent of current activity IN
this field. Certainly, in this branch
of art. the number of practitioners
has vastly increased in recent years
and the quality of the work I'M
proved-not necessarily in individ-
ual instances. but in the hlgh
average maintained Also, among
the public, interest in the graphlc
arts undoubtedly has been quick
ened and spread.
To some extent this development
Is due to the efforts Of Mr.. Pennell,
who, a most successful etcher and
photographer as we'll as illustrator,
left no stone unturned to acquamt
the world at large with the graphic
arts. through his authoritative and
yoluminouS writings and mStruC-
tive and delightful lectures. and
also, being himself a perfectlonlSt,
through his teaching, which upheld
a high standard of production, even
for students.
But a good deal of the credit also
must go to what may be termed
the missionaries in this field
those leaders in the arts who
organized and circulated exhibit
tions, gave demonstrations, and, in
countless ways. passed on their
own enthusiasm to others. There
were children in a school in Ten
nessee who. having had the
mysteries Of etching explained to
them by Mr.. Pennell, sent him a
check of S12 with the request that
he cash it. in his own etchlngS'
they being ignorant of prices for
such work and eager to nave the
best for the collection they were
starting. They got siX-Wlth a letter
OF appreciation.
A woman in New Mexico got the
school children of her state SO
interested in having original works
of art that they went out and
picked dandeionS for enough
pennies to buy a print. In Kansas,
a Young clerk in a feed store SOLD
etchings to the farmers with oats
and other grain. sometimes eH-
changing eggs with the AMBITIOUS
farm girls. For 20 or more years,
the leaven has been working
throughout the country, put un-
doubtedly the w. P. A, through
Its art center activities, has
stimulated the movement.
Organization Aid.
A conspicuously large part IN
this development has been plaEeo
hv the various societies of etcherS
and other graphic artists-for eN-
ample, the Chicago Society OF
Ftchers and the California PRINT
Makers. For many years, Bertha
Jauues, secretary Of the former
group. was not only guide, coun-
selor and friend" of all the young
etchers of the Middle West, put
the enthusiastic leader IN the ap-
nreciation of their wares for Whlcn
she created substantial and staoIe
market. The brothers Benjamin ana
Howell Brown Of Pasadena, Cam
both etcherS, we're lndefatlgaple III
the nromotion of activities sponsored
nv the California Print Makers,
such as an international exhibition
. held annually, travelling eXhloluonS'
lectures. publications, etc. OF the
following of the field by John lay
lor Arms, president OF the ooclety
of American EtcherS and now pres
ident of the American National
Committee on Engraving, it would
be impossible to speak IN Slial,
snace so extensive and ettectual
has it been, reaching. IN 1act' 1ar
bevond the boundaries OF oul
country. A few months ago MI:
Arms gave a demonstration o!
etchings by television, the hrst OF
its kind. in association with a
Nationwide broadcast. He Is 1t
will he recalled, one of the ADVISERS
on purchases to the DIVISION u
Fine Arts, Library of Congress.
It has become customary III leceliI I
years for print societies to issue once
each wear an etching or other prlilU
hv professional or "active mem
her to each associate or LAY" mem
her in lieu of membership oueS'
ranging from SIS to $40. ms Gus
tom has stimulated print col!ecIllls
and has, in some instances helpeu
70 make a name for the etcher
whose work was so honored. Ihese
associate member prints are aS d
r11le made for this specific purpose
,,nder contract, and are never pun
~, the omen market. AS the mem
bership of the several SocieIleo 10
romparatiVely small, the puOiica'loiio .
are essentially in limited edltlons.
Prints Issued.
Within the last fortnight OF t"o'
both the American College Society
of Print Collectors ana the fIaAlle
Print Makers have issued prints 10
their constituent membership. Inc
former is an etching by Luigi Lucl-
oni. the latter a lithograph by Stow
Wengenroth. Both are outstanding
The I,ucioni is a landscape, In Yer
mont" birch trees in the foregrouno
with low-lying mountains oeyono
The plate has been deeply pltten
the lines are strong and bold; horl-
zontal contends, but not unpleasant
". with vertical in the composition;
certain conventions are broken, but
as by one who, knowing, dares. Ihe
latter, "A New England Village, Is
a view on Cape Ann, probably IN
Rockport, where the photographer
has a summer home. A typical clap
boarded house stands beside, bu'
slightly above, the roadside, shaded
by a group of trees. There is sec