Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-07-02
By Leila MechEn.

By Leila Mechfin.
The National Gallery of Art and
the Library OF Congress next Tues
day will open simultaneously, CO.
brdinated exhibitions of American
battle paintings and prints, Illus
&rative of all the wars in which
Americans have participated, chiefly
on the North American continent
The paintings. well over 100 in
number, which will occupy not only
the large gallery of special exhibit
lions, but two or three additional
rooms adjacent, have been secured
by the National Gallery as loans
from public and private collections
and in many instances have hereto
fore been infrequently shown. The
prints, which the Library OF Con-
gress will display in its northwest
gallery, have been drawn from the
Librarys own permanent collection.
Both collection will be on view for
two months or longer.
The wars covered by the paint
ings, listed chronologically in the
illustrated and annotated catalogue
issued by the National Gallery are
the Revolution, the War OF 1912,
the Mexican War, the War Between
the States. wars with the Indians,
the Spanish War and
World War I. One battle painting
however, antedates all these, but un-
questionably has right to inclusion,
It Is "Tne Death of Gen. Woife.
which occurred, it will be recalled,
on the Heights of Abraham, Quebec,
in connection with the victorious ex-
petition of the British against the
French. The original, of which this
Is a replica (meaning a copy OF the
original by the artist himSelD, was
painted by Benjamin West years
after the battle from descriptions by
eyewitnesses. Not only does 1t mark
a great historical event, but a revo-
luton in painting from austere clas-
sicism to ultrarealism, West pictur-
ing the officers and men in the uni
forms they actually wore, rather
than as customary, in the costumes
NIlCCh dIlu IbOllldll llCl W.. ~ W Oc
this painting which brought West
to attention in London and secured
him the patronage of the King. Not
only did this prove to his advan-
tage, but greatly to that of his pupils,
who founded our outstanding early
American school. Being a Quaker
West declined knighthood, but
proudly accepted the presidency of
the Royal Academy later, after Rey-
nolds' death.
Painting by Trumbull
Somewhat similar in style and
character is John Trumbull's paint
ing of The Battle of Bunker's Hill,
which, according to Trumbull's biog-
raphers was painted in Vests studio
IN London, Trumbull being then one
of his pupils. But Trumbull had a
better knowledge of warfare than
his master, having served in the
American Army during the revolu-
ton as a commissioned officer under
both Washington and Gates. -Four
of his paintings recording historical
events of the revolutionary period
are, it will be remembered, on the
walls of the rotunda in the Capitol
All the paintings in this exhibition
have to do with warfare. but not
all concern themselves with battles
Some are purely pictorial-such as
o study by Emmanuel Leutze for his
vell-known painting, owned by the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, oil
washington Crossing the Della.
ware" and as historical, but Incl.
dental, Meeting of the Generals oil
the American and French Armie.
at yorktown After the Surrender,
by James Peale.
More of the paintings set forth
are of battles on land than on sea
but those having to do with the wal
of 1912 are almost entirely of nava
combats. Four of these glorify the
frigate Constitution-two by Mich.
olas Pocock of her successful en-.
gagement with the Java, which sht
totally dismasted and sunk. These
are well drawn and admirably ex.
ecuted.
The next war, recorded chrome.
logically, is that between the United
States and Mexico, and one of it.
chief and best recorders is found Il
be James Walker, born in England
but brought to this country in boy.
hood, who for years maintained {
studio in New York. He happened
to be in Mexico City when the wal
was declared and had great din
Guilty getting out of the country. H,
was an excellent craftsman and TIL
Il scenes of the Mexican Wa
which have been lent by the Wa
Department show him also to hav'
been q keen observer. There ar
three paintings here having to d,
with the battle of Monterey ane
the capture Of Veracruz by Alfret
Sully. son Of the distinguished
oortrait nainter Thomas S,,llv al