Evening star., 1944-06-04
By Leila Mechin.

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The Library of Congress is show
ing for the second time in succession
a collection of prints by American
printmakers, produced within the
previous IL months, hence essen
TALLY contemporary. The first such
exhibition was held just. one year
ago with the double purpose of en-
couraging the printmakers anc
manifesting the current standing oi
the graphic arts as practiced in oul
country. For the initial exhibition
over 1000 prints were submitted (no
more than three by any one print
maker) and 467 chosen for display;
whereas for the current showing the
submissions numbered about 1900
and those chosen for display 370-a
comparatively small drop consider
ing the times and preoccupation in
activities incident to war. Indeed 1t
is remarkable that such a collection
could now have been assembled, the
standard being held high.
Also it is remarkable how few of
the works shown are concerned with
the war, instead, for the most part,
being given to the reflection OF
American life in town and country,
at the same time witnessing to a
fervor on the part of the artists
which for the onlooker stirs emo
tions and allays doubts and fears
Needless to say they come from all
sections of the country, and the
names of many of the exhibitors are
new even to those especially inter-
ested in the graphic arts. Evidently
the fires kindled by desire for artis-
tic expression are still alight.
The PenneU Fund.
The current exhibition Gas well as
that Of a year ago) was made pos
sible through the Pennell Fund, es-
tablished by Joseph and Elizabeth
Pennell, for the advancement of the
graphic arts, and permanently ad-
ministered by the Library of Con-
gress. The income from this fund,
which now amounts to something
over $1,000 year, is available not
only for exhibitions but purchases;
specifically for additions to the
Whistler and Pennen collections, but
also by contemporary printmakers,
to form permanent national COL
lection. For this reason, in fulfill
ment of the donors desire, in con-
nection with these contemporary
exhibitions, it was decided to offer
no less than IS purchase prizes for
the IS prints most meriting such
distinction.
The prize jury consisted, as in the
case Of other purchases, of two ex-
perts, John Taylor Arms, etcher;
Stow Wengenroth, photographer, and
Miss Alice Lee Parker, acting chief
of the Division of Prints. To five
prints a first prize of 500 each was
given, 10 received second awards
of $50; and to 20 awards of $50 each
were voted. In most instances these
purchase prizes exceeded the cur
rent price of the prints acquired but
herein lay the award features; novel
but excellent procedure. There must
also have been satisfaction on the
part of the prize winners in the
knowledge that their work would
thus be given representation in the
national collection.
Judgment of the final jury was OBJ
viously placed on technical merit as
well as other virtues, but there is lit
tie or no reason in this instance to
dispute the selections. made for spe-
cisl honors. In an exhibition such as
this when the average of merit is sc
high the task of a prize jury must
be very difficult.
Jary of Selection.
For this general excellence in the
case of the current showing the jury
of selection was responsible. Thi!
consisted of Mrs. Duncan Phillips Of
the Phillips Gallery, Miss Mongar
and Mr.. Macgill James of the Ma.
tional Gallery of Art. Mr.. r. P. Tol.
man, chief of the Division of Graphil
Arts Of the National Museum, ane
Mr.. Lahey, acting for Mr.. Mimi
gerode of the Corcoran Gallery