Evening star., 1943-10-10

Ihe eXhlDltlOn America IN the
War" which opened last Sunday in
the Corcoran Gallery OF Art, and
simultaneously in % other art muse
ums throughout the country, is we'll
worth seeing. Obviously the 100
prints set forth are subjectively
grim-war is grim-horribly so, but
technically they are fine. All con-
sidered. the artistic standard main
tanned is far above the average.
In sending out the announce
ments of this exhibition and setting
forth It's aims, the Artists for Vic
tory" by whom it was assembled and
Is now being shown, stressed the de-
STABILITY of interpretating the theme
as broadly as possible, that, collec-
lively. a true picture should be given
of a country so engaged in war as
is ours at present. Attention was
called to the achievements of
Durer, Goya and .Daumier as picto-
rial spokesmen Of the people, and the
conviction was expressed that the
artist who today interprets the emo
tions and experiences Of the Amer
lean people serves not only cul-
tural but a patriotic purpose.
Apparently the graphic artists
who have submitted works and the
Jury of selection, composed, by the
way. of Carl Zigrosser, William
Gropper and Armin Landeck, kept
all this in mind. for the material
garnered is very diverse and at the
same time significant-nott trivial.
Each artist to whom a prospectus
vas sent was invited to submit three
prints, of specified dimensions,
matted but not framed and issued
in editions not exceeding 100. From
these, selection of single print was
made. the artist notified and re-
quested to send In, OF that one, Is
Impressions. Thus the "a Identical
exhibitions were assembled.
T,ceIpe Prizes offered.
Twelve prizes were offered. aggre-
eating $500, for works IN four me-
dia-lithography, etching, wood en-
craving and cutting, and silk screen,
three IN each section, all IN War
Bonds-the four first, 500 each,
second and third, $50 each. In ad-
dition to which there were four
honorable, mentions, but without
monetary reward. These prizes will,
1t is thought, meet in most instances
with the favor of both the public
and print connoisseurs.
Also it should be noted as greatly
rreditable to this exhibition that 1t
Is not sentimental nor dramatically
forced. II has a ring Of sober truth.
Horrible as Of necessity it is in part
there is here and there a CLINT OF
humor which is a saving grace.
The home front takes its place
with the firing line and on the same
footing of courage and stamina fare
wells are said bravely and sadly:
letters come and 60. The might Of
the armed forces and the power OF
the weapons employed are strongly
brought to mind-as is also the de-
vastation wrought, the destitution
left behind. Also the skill and
earnestness of the production work
ers, industrial and otherwise, is we'll
illustrated. The astonishing thing
is the extraordinary skill with which
the works are rendered.
Of the artists represented COM
paratively few have already attained
to fame or distinction, vet almost
all seem to commend their medium
and having something to say, speak
with authority.
Souvenir Of Lidice" by Benton
Spruance, a lithograph, which won
a first prize has profound impress
siveness-a mastery work. once
seen never to be forgotten In strik-
ing contrast is a dry point by Will
liam Sharp entitled Protective
Custody"-three old men behind a
wire barrier apparently satisfied of
safety. each a little portrait fully
expressive - indifferent. Raphael
Soyer's lithograph "Farewell' is
typical and freely rendered, we'll de-
serving of the honorable mention
it received.
Silk Screen Prints.
There are in this exhibition a
number of excellent silk screen
prints in color setting forth varied
scenes-for instance one of the de-
scent of a paratroop, another of a
scene at Guadalcanal. and also an
sllegorial representation of Fascism
as monster of indeed dread mien.
Freedoms Warrior" by Charles
B. Wilson is not only we'll done, but
interesting as representing a de-
tachment of American Indians led
by one of their own race carrying
an American flag. William Gropper,
who was a member of the jury of
selection, is represented by an un-
forgetable print-lithograph-of a
Liberated Village liberated
meaning dust and ashes, hunger
and death
These prints come from graphic
artists in all parts of the country,
not a few of whom, judging from
their names, must be sons or
daughters by adoption rather than
birth-one notably is a japanese,
who chose as his theme Emblem
of Strength" an American eagle
o,..