Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-14
Ar
Notes
Flemish Paintings
On Exhibition at
National Gallery
By Florence S. Bergman.

A group of distinguished guests
from Belgium was presented to
Washington last Sunday, when eight
masterpieces of Flemish painting
were placed on exhibition in the
National Gallery of Art. They are
hanging in rooms 80 and AZ, with
other Flemish paintings in the
Galleries collections, and will remain
for an indefinite period.
These loans from the Belgian gov
eminent came to the United States
to be shown in the great display of
Flemish painting held at the Wor-
cester Museum, Massachusetts, and
the Johnson collection, Philadelphia
Museum, in the spring of 1899. The
result of a years collaboration be-
tween these museums and the Bel
gian government, that exhibition
rivaled in Importance the two worlds
fairs old master shows in New
York and San Francisco These
masterpieces from Belgium remained
for safety, as have many other gen.
erous foreign loans to exhibitions in
this country in the months before
the war.
The group now at the National
Gallery is composed of 10 paintings
(two not yet on view all but one of
which belong to the Royal Museum
of Brussels Every one acquainted
with the treasures of that institution
will wish the present group were
larger. But one rejoices that this
country can offer haven to even a
small portion of Europe's art
heritage.
The linpid naturalism of Flemish
art, the painstaking care with which
every tiny detail, every hair, every
flower petal, every highlight on some
small object are depicted with the
utmost sincerity, arouse our admira-
ton. The fresh colors and enameled
surfaces of these paintings en-
phasize the careful workmanship
which was so important to Flemish
artists.
. Meanings "Marfyrdom."
The outstanding masterpiece now
On view is Hans Memling's Martyr
dom of st. Sebastian" said to have
been painted for the Guild of Arch
ers in Bruges. 1t is difficult to I'M
derstand why the Archers selected
for representation this villainous
episode of proves in their calling.
But it is not painful picture to
see; it has deep religious serenity.
The saint has identified himself with
God, and is beyond human suffering |
The exquisite far-reaching landscape |
background, with large city on a
hillside, adds exceptional charm.
The visitor should study these
paintings with attention to the de-
tailed backgrounds. Mostaert's "Por-
trait Of Man" has an enchanting
scene, in which the architecture, the
swan on the water, and the group of
well-dressed people gazing skyward,
are no more real" than the heaven
ly host above their heads. Van
Orley's Portrait of George de Zelle"
has no supernatural element, but |
embodies much exquisite still life |
painting.
The earliest work shown Is the |
"Holy Family With st. Anne" by
Hugo van der Goes, 18th century |
master who exerted a profound in
fuence on italian painting. Of the
same century is Gerard David's
lovely little Virgin With Soup and
Bread" (also an APPLE. In the
background of the first, and through
the window in the second painting,
one gets a glimpse of a Flemish
Gothic village.
Flemish painting had It's final |
burst of glory in Rubens, In the 18th |
century. Two of his paintings are
shown, one sketch for symbolic
work, Wisdom Victorious Over War
and Discord Under James l." a
grandiose theme in which the figures
are plump Flemings, despite their
classic garb and ability to float in
the air. The second work by Rubens
Is a Virgin and Child With Forget
Me-Nots," which appears to be a
portrait of his first wife and child;
the landscape in this painting was
done by Jan Brueghel.
"St. Ives, Patron Saint OF Lawyers"
by Jordaens, is the work Of con-
temporary OF Rubens, who was ex-
tremely generous to him. Jordaens
prospered and painted so prohfically
that 1t is said almost every public
building in Belgium had an example
of his work (prior to the war;.
1t is a privilege for the National
Gallery to be host to these master
pieces from Belgium, and Washing
ton art lovers are fortunate to be
able to extend their acquaintance
with Flemish art.
Massachusetts artists
At the Arts Club.
Water colors by L. Gerard Paine
of Boston who is now driving an
ambulance in North Africa and
photographic drawings of animals by
Mabel Greer Of Rockport, Mass,
opened last Sunday at the Arts Club,
to remain until February &c. Each
OF these shows is excellent Of its
kind
Mr.. Paine's exhibition of 20 paint
lngS nils the gallery with natural
iStic views of New England land
scape and houses, they have much
pictorial charm. Every one who
knows and loves this section will
recognize the faithfulness of these
transcriptions. The artist uses both
wet and dry brush techniques with
facility, thus obtaining varied ef-
fects Of atmosphere. Among his
crisp, sunny views, odd Mill" is
particularly appealing: Winter
Morning" with its nearly vanished
snow, hints of springs approach.
Berkshire Barn" and Morning at
the Inlet" too, are captivating Yet
none is more effective than THE
Storm with its dark sky. driving
rain and wind-lashed trees. Fan
tasy," depicting bare tree silhou-
cited against fog-shrouded town,
is also striking
Before the United States entered