Evening star., 1944-07-23

There are nine paintings in the
group: italian Comedians" by
Watteav'; The Game OF Hot
Cookies" The Game of Horse and
Rider" and The Visit to the Nur-
sery," by Fragonard; Portrait of
Madame Bergeret" and two allie
eories-"Painting" and "Music"-by
Boucher; a large Group Portrait,
by Drouais, and Portrait la Live de
JULY" by Greuze.
These paintings, John Walker,
chief curator of the National Gallery
of Art, declares, will give to our ma
tional gallery distinction unrivaled
in this field by more than two or
three museums, including those in
Europe.
Gift Is Timely
Special interest attaches further
more to the gift at this time, when
the French are fighting side by side
with our men in Europe for the lib
Grafton of their country and to put
an end to the present horrors OF war.
Also, from another angle, these
works are timely, for they them
selves stand for the liberation of the
spirit of art under very adverse,
even tragic, conditions. The period
which they represent covered the
reigns of Louis XIV and XVI, from
the monarchy to the rule of the
people. The art of that period was
the elimination of events in the past
which had served to natlonallze
France, and especially her art. Sup
posedly gay and frivilous, this art
was profundly serious, an expression
of the heart of a people trained in
taste and instinctively individual.
To be sure the French art of the
18th century had its roots in Rome,
but the development of home tai
ent, the upbuilding of art indus
tries, the high standard set and
abundant employment given. brought
forth an expression which was
purely French in feeling. When
asked what it was that made French
art so vital, Jusserand, then French
Ambassador to this country, replied,
THE fact that we have the French
people with us-all the people
Not Yet on Tiew
These paintings, given so uneX-
pectedly and generously, are not yet
on exhibition, but a gallery has been
especially prepared for their re-
ception and display. Meanwhile the
gallery has released the following
descriptive notes by Mr.. Walker on
the several canvases.
THE earliest painting in the gift,
the famous italian Comedians" Is
one of the last works by Watteau.
It was done in London for DR.. Rich
ard Mead, to whom the artist had
turned in final unsuccessful effect
to restore his health. With only a
year to live, Watteau paid a last
tribute to the gayety and charm of
his old friends Of the stage, who had
Just received permission to resume
their roles in Paris, after their re-
turn from the exile imposed by
Nine de Maintenon.
There is a subtle suggestion OF
melancholy in Watteau's work, but
no shadow of tragedy falls across
the two superb landscapes by
Fragonard-'The, Game of Hot
Cookies and The Game of Horse
and Rider They were painted for
the Baron de st. Julien, who also
commissioned The Swing now in
the Wallace collection, London
(well known through reproduc-
tion).- - These paintings brilliantly
suggest the playfulness, the endless
frivolity. of rocco society. But with
the third Fragonard, The Visit to
the Nursery there is different
note, hint of the final phase of
a sophisticated culture, a senti-
mental, almost artificial. enthusiasm
for the simple pleasures of family
life. In this case the painter may
have been inspired by the writings
of Iean-JacnueS Rousseau