Evening star., 1943-04-04
Art
Notes
Notable Rosenwald
Collection Is Given
Important Preview


A preview of the Lessing ]. Rosen-
wall collection. gift of which was
announced last month by the Ma
tional Gallery of Art and the Lii
brary Of Congress, was given on
March rs to a group of writer's on
art and officials of the National
Gallery. Those who visited Mr..
Rosenwald's Alverthorpe Gallery in
Jenkintown, Pa, enjoyed the privi-
lege of studying what is said to be
the finest collection of graphic arts
in private possession, which will
make the printroom of the National
Gallery one OF the worlds most i'm
portant.
The magnitude of the Rosenwald
collection comprising over 5000
prints and many hundreds of draw
ings) made it impossible to do more
than sample various periods and
artists. But this two-hour sampling
gave the measure of the whole.
which tells the story Of print
making from it's beginnings to the
present day. Prints and drawings
were examined with ease, because
OF their compact and efficient ar
rangement.
A unique collection of more than
&f
ouired by Mr.. Rosenwald few years
ago, because of conditions in. Eu-
rope, is a sensational feature, con-
tanning examples of great rarity and
Importance. These prints, mostly
of religious subjects, were made In
the 18th century in Germany.
France and Italy. Practically all of
them were intended to be colored
by hand. They were produced for
the people, who purchased them
just as we today buy postcards and
souvenirs.
Early engravings too are ex-
tensively represented in the Rosen-
wald collection, including examples
done in Germany, Italy and the
1NCblACi A4olC llkdll ~
by Martin Schongauer, one of Ger
nanys two outstanding 18th CEN
tury engravers. constitute the best
collection of his work in America.
Mr.. Rosenwald obtained most of
the great Italian prints from the
collection OF the former King of
Saxony, August Friedrich. Andrea
Mantegna and Antonio Pollaiuolo
are admirably represented.
The great masters Of engraving
and etching can be seen to advan-
tage In many fine impressions. The
collection of woodcuts and engrav-
ings by Albrecht Durer is excep-
tional. There are also $50 engrav-
ings by Nanteuil, superb group
assembled by Charles A. Petitjean,
author Of the definite work on the
French master, which Mr.. Rosen-
wald purchased en- bloc.
OF Van Dyck's etched portraits,
greatly coveted by collectors, Mr..
Rosenwald has Is in the rare proof
state. A number of these were
framed and displayed in a library
at one end of the Alverthorpe Gal
lery.
Rembrandt, however. is the heart
nf the RosenWald collection. with
$50 etchings and 6 drawings, includ-
ing the famous early self portrait in
sangulne. This magnificent reve-
lation of Rembrandt as etcher and
draughtsman, supplements the Wild
ener and Mellon masterpieces of
Rembrandt's painting at the Ma
tional Gallery in the happiest sort
OF way. 1t Will make the gallery
practically supreme in this coun-
try, for the study of Hollands
greatest master.
Later masters. too. are admirably
Illustrated. There is a particularly
hne group of prints and drawings
by William Blake. once owned bv
his close friend, John Linnell. which
was long deposited in the British
Museum. Daumier and Forain and
also Whistler, are especially we'll
represented among 10Th century
painter r-printmakers Other 18th,
18th and goth century French, those
OF Germany and elsewhere in
Europe, as well as modern British
and American printmakers, make
the Rosenwald collection a veritable
panorama
1t is impossible to do it Justice in
40 short a space. Special phases will
be dealt with in detail, as selections
are placed on exhibition in the Ma
tional Gallery. The first will be
opened April IS.
Exhibition Series OPENING
At Whyfe Gallery.
The Whyte Gallery, now estab-
lished In its new home at 1920 Con-
necticut avenue, has nearly so per
cent more exhibition space than in
It's former location; the lighting too.
Is superior. This gallery, mez-
FAMINE, will be devoted exclusively
to the display of original paintings
and prints, ranging from works by
older masters. too contemporary
artists, both local and national.
Drawings by Darrell Austin in
augurate this afternoon, a new series
VI SNAAAoAbAoiAS, Uy NdIeSSo
Crosby. She has engaged the Whyte
Gallery for the first week of each
month, for small displays of con-
temporary work. Subsequent shows
will be devoted to George Grosz.
Salvador Dali Max Ernst and others.
Mrs Crosby was formerly director
of the Black Sun Press in Paris.
Darrell Austin, who had a retro
spective exhibition in New York
City art gallery last month. is an
artist of progressive tendencies.
In an enthusiastic estimate of him
in The Art News. Sheldon Cheney
mentions Austins 'intuitive intelli-
gence," unique and sensitive pic
torial imagery and highly personal
mysticism" as we'll as his arts
formal loveliness' This is high
praise, and Washingtonians will
have an opportunity throughout the
week, to see whether 1t Is merited by
the work on view.
R..~t II DL:of T..I:~