Evening star., 1944-04-02
By Florence S. Bergman.

The contemporary art Of our Allies
is becoming increasingly familiar to
Washingtonians through both one
man and group shows. The latest is
Ia special exhibition by Rafal Male
zewski, Polish painter, which opened
at the Corcoran Gallery last Tues
day, to remain through April is. 1t
Is the first display Of this artists
work in Washington.
Mr.. Malczewski is the son of re-
nowned Polish painter, Jacek Male
zewski, who was represented in the
comprehensive Polish exhibition
shown at the Metropolitan Museum
of Art, New York City, last month,
and now travelling under auspices
of the American Federation of Arts.
Rafal Malczewski studied under the
guidance of his father and also at
the Vienna Academy. In 1925, in
his early 30s, he began to exhibit
his work extensively in Europe and
also in the United States. He was
represented In two international ex-
hibitions at the Carnegie Institute,
Pittsburgh, and in the Olympic Ex-
hibition in Los Angeles.
In December, 1899, he escaped
from Poland to Brazil via Hungary,
Paris and Portugal. More than 20
water colors painted during nearly
two years in Brazil are in the cur
rent show. Going from Brazil to
Canada in 1912 he was obviously
struck by the very different land
scape and climate. The contrast he
felt between the two countries is ap-
parent in his present show. -Four
paintings of Poland complete the
exhibition.
Thirty-six paintings are in the
atrium cases on the second floor.
They are fairly large, averaging
about IS by 80 inches and carry
well across the gallery. The sub
jects, landscapes and flowers, are
beautiful in themselves and are
transcribed in a good conservative
technique. The majority are paint
ed in transparent water colors;
there are few in gouache.
1t is interesting to study the diff
ference in Mr.. Malczewski's handling
of the Brazilian and Canadian
themes. One gets the impression
that the artist was more at home in
Canada than in South America. The
Canadian snow scenes and serene
views Of lakes and mountains appear
to be technically sounder and are
more subdued in color than the Bra
lillian landscapes.
Calder at France Forever.
Work of the American artist, Alex
ander Calder, comprises the second
of the "Ecole de Paris" art exhibi-
tions presented by the Fighting
French Committee in the United
States, cooperating with the French
Committee of National Liberation.
Mr.. Calder's mobiles" Stables"
paintings and jewelry are on view at
France Forever, 1910 Connecticut
avenue, until next Sunday april 81.
One should 60 to this exhibition
with completely open mind. The
mobiles" and Stables" are the
artists own inventions and are
unique, so far as the writer is aware.
They are devoid of appeal from
standpoints of beauty and associ-
ational values; but, in justice to Mr..
Calder, one should endeavor to un-
derstand his aims and see how we'll
he has realized them.
He has sought apparently to create
three -dimensional abstract design
capable of changes by motion. The
mobiles" are composed of bits of
metal or wood of various shapes,
painted in bright colors or black,
attached to wires, bits of string and
thread. They make sort of swing
ing sculpture which moves gently
when touched by hand or currents