Evening star., 1943-05-23
By Leila Mechlin

biennial exhibitions, it is always
with a sense of satisfaction that the
paintings in the permanent collec-
ton, temporarily displaced, are well
coined on their return.
This is essentially the case Of the
most recent biennial, which gave
a cursory survey of the art of paint
ing today in this country, and the
works chiefly by painters of the past,
for which they were briefly substl-
tuted. It is well indeed to follow
the trends of the time, to be in
formed fully with regard to new
movements, but time alone estab-
fishes merit. The works of art
paintings, sculpture, music, poetry
which stand this test are those
which, when better known, are more
deeply significant.
There is a vogue for the new to-
CAV which is rather shatterlng to
ideals, and yet it will be found that
it is the more familiar which holds
first place in esteem.
The beauty of Beethoven SYM
ohonv grows greater the more often
it is heard, as do>certain lesser works
in music, and the same is true OF
certain paintings not only by the
great masters of the past but, those
of the last century-such works by
American and foreign artists as nave
been iudiciously selected for the
permanent collection OF the Cor
coran Gallery of Art.
Notable Landscapes
Take for example two landscapes
one by an American-George lnneSS
the other by a Frenchman-J. B.
C. Corot. Both are large canvases,
woodland scenes, and were painted
about the same time-that is in the
187Os. The Inness is entitled Sun
set in the Woods" The material
for it was taken from a sketch MADE
in Westchester County, New York,
and the purpose, Inness himself
wrote, was "to represent an effect
of light in the woods toward sun
down. but to allow the imagination
to predominant" The Corot, Wood
Gatherers," was produced from
numerour sketches made on the spot,
and from memory, with the evident
intent of reproducing an effect once
seen never to be forgotten.
Both painters, being inspired by
Nature, strove to pass on the in
spiration through their art to others.
Both we're. it will be remembered,
lovers of the outdoor world. Its
beauty thrilled them. Like the
woman who found the pearl of
great price" they must show it TO
others. They both had the seeing
eve, the understanding heart. Little
did they think Of whether or not
they were expressing Themselves
they each had message, and as one
views these painting today. it is
communicated to the observer-the
delight of the beauty in things seen
becomes a common possession, This
does not become outWorn-lt is
perennial.
Inness is known as the father Of
American landscape, because he was
one of the first to interpret what he
saw, rather than copy it. He stands
between the Hudson River School
and that of the Impressionists of
the first decade OF the present
century.
T,co Famous Paintings
Of earlier date are two paintings
In which water is the chief factor
of interest. These are Niagara
Falls by Frederick E. Church,
painted in 1857, and The Coast Of
New jersey" painted by William
T. Richards, by order of the Cor
coran Gallery of Art in 1883. Both
men we're distinguished in their day,
exhibiting abroad as we'll as in this
country, winners of medals in the
Paris Salon and elsewhere.
The painting Of Niagara was pur-
chased for the Corcoran Gallery at
the sale in New York of the COL
lection assembled by John Taylor
Johnston, first president of the
Metropolitan Museum of Art.
BY contemporary modernists, both
OF these paintings would be re-
garded as in the class of chromos.
But they are far better than this,
for in both instances their values
are perfectly sustained throughout,
and they give very true interpre-
tation of factual things, the beauty
and grandeur of which inspired the
painters.
Frederick Waugh, in our day, has
painted the sea with perhaps more
strength than Richards, but not
more truth. Twacltman's Tor
rent in the national collection of
fine arts, is more elusive than
Church's rendition Of Niagara, but
no better-just different. 1t is not
essential that all speak alike so long
as they have something to say that
is worth saying-and say it well.
An Old Favorite
Of all the story telling pictures
In the Corcoran Gallery of Art one
of the most beloved and significant
is AVE Maria by Horatio Walker,
which was purchased from the
first exhibition of contemporary oil
paintings held by the Corcoran
Gallery of Art in 1907. 1t repre-
sents a scene on roadway in
Canada, where. at sunset, young
peasant lad, driving his oxen home
ward, pauses, at sunset, at way
side cross to say an evening prayer
with reverently bowed head This is
fine composition and beautifully
eIy MI
feeling. Before it the observer
stands instinctively with uncovered
head. 1t is great work of art