Evening star., 1944-02-27

;hibttion "The Army at War" at
There IS a strength and competence
in Mr.. Colds paintings which carries
conviction.
a WorId.Ronnd Shoe
The paintings by Barse Miller are
colorful, and those by Edward
Laning dramatic; the former were
painted in the South Seas theater,
the latter in the Aleutians. The
North African base is represented by
drawings and paintings by Mitchell
Sporin and Rudolph Won Ripper;
while works by Reginal Marsh bear
witness to the surprising transport
service carried on at Natal. 1t is
indeed, an all-the- -world-round show.
In foreword to a catalogue of
this exhibition, Mrs. Morgenthau,
wife Of the Secretary of the Treas
ury, stresses the fact that instead OF
presenting scenes of actual conflict,
this exhibition emphasizes chiefly
the months Of preparation, the long
dreary voyages overseas, the danger
Gus landings in new countries, and
other details which go to so far
toward making up the life Of the
American soldier today. Obviously
this Is well, but in the recording
something has been left out which
is essential, and that is the mag
nif1cent spirit Of the youth of our
land who have answered the call
to arms and Jared forth with un-
failing, nonchalent courage.
War with all its evils breaks down
barriers and proves all men akin
despite changed conditions there is
nobility in self sacrifice which en-
mobiles all This nobility seems to
have largely escaped the artists who
in this exhibition record the Army
at war-they give us grim facts but
take us only to the threshold Of
understanding.
Here is difference between the
art of World War I and the World
War Of today. We are still, 1t would
seem, seeing only on the surface. A
theme as great as that essayed, takes
great art for adequate expression.
Perhaps we ask too much-perhaps
even SO the great artist will yet
come forth, not only witnessing to
the truth, but to lead us to the
height, the rough road to which
the youth of our land, and other
lands, are bravely treading.
That the present exhibition is
both enlightening and thought
provoking none can deny.
Phillips Art Gallery
The Phillips Memorial Gallery has
recently added to its collection, by
purchase, a painting by Degas,
whose dates, it will be recalled, were
1834-1917.
1t is large canvas, approx
mately 81 by 38 inches in dimen-
sions, painted in the late 90s of the
past century, picturing two ballet
girls standing together at the prac-
tice rail, one with her right foot
raised the other with her left, and
thus tied into a unified composition.
The figures are brushed in boldly,
with broad, free stroke, in a
manner not unlike that commonly
employed In the use Of pastels,
which illusion is increased by the
color scheme, essentially in pastel
shades, pink and jade green pre-
dominating.
What strikes the observer most
strongly on viewing this painting
Is, however, the sense of rhythm
and potential motion which it con-
! veys. This was the fascination
which Degas found, not only in the
ballet, but also in horse racing. AS
time went on his interest in move
ment and line increased, and that
in subject matter lessened. An
impersonal element thus crept into
his work-as 1t did into that Of
Rodin, whose motion drawings"
were recently exhibited In the Cor
coran Gallery Of Art.
Degas, in his passion for move
ment and its recording, was far In
advance Of the moving picture
camera. But also he searched for
beauty, and for those who cast this
element In art aside he had only
contempt. To the art OF his period
he made great contribution, stand
ing between Manet and Renoir. As
a young man he idolized Ingres, and
although as years passed this in
f1uence faded, the masters empha-
sis on perfection in execution was
never forgotten nor set aside.
Edgar Degas was born in Paris
but much Of his youth was spent
IN Italy, his father having estab-
lished a large banking business in
Naples. In the early 20s he visited
relatives Of his mothers In New
Orleans, in which city they were
favorably known as cotton mer-
chants. His painting OF "The Cot
ton Exchange" now lent to the
National Gallery of Art by the
French government, was painted at
this time, as well as several i'm
portant portraits.
Other excellent examples Of De-
gas work have been lent to our
National Gallery by Mr.. and Mrs,
Chester Dale. Degas is no stranger
to art loving Washingtonians:
therefore the Phillips Gallery pur-
chase Is the more welcome and
timely.
An exhibition of paintings and
drawings by Charlotte Trowbridee
viii open on February % In the
King-Smith Studio House, 170s s
street NV, and continue q fort
night or longer. Miss Trowbridee i,
now art director Of the King-snith
Studios and her exhibition has beer
arranged and hung by her COL
league, w. G. Meek, head OF graphic
arts.
AS the result of votes cast by visi-
| IN y, L.,