Evening star., 1946-12-01
Art
and
Artists
Corcoran Art Show
Introduces Talent;
Guild Puts Works
In Window Setting
By Florence S. Berrmon

In Window Setting
By Florence S. Berymon
The Corcoran Gallery OF Art. in
its initial endeayor to substitute one
large exhibition Of work by artists
of Washington and vicinity for the
four or five annual shows of local
art organizations, which have been
regularly displayed there, made
every effort to assure equal oppor-
tunity for all exhibitors. The ex-
hibition, which, will open to the
public this afternoon is composed
entirely OF works which were sub
nlitted to and passed by jury of
museum officials not connected with
the Corcoran Gallery. The chairman
of this jury was Joseph T. Fraser,
jr., secretary of the Pennsylvania
Academy of Fine Arts, who was
assisted by Thomas c. Colt, director
of the Virginia Museum of Fine
Arts, and Macgill James, assistant
director of the National Gallery OF
Art.
This exhibition Of work by
ARTISTS OF Washington and Vicin-
fly" offers several surprises. Nearly
half of the 90-odd exhibitors names
are new or unfamiliar to regular
gallery visitors. This indicates full
fillment of the Corcoran Gallery's
hope, expressed in its first an
nouncement, "that much hitherto
unrecognized talent may be discov-
cred" In the second place a large
number (35 to 500 of active Wash
ington artists who exhibit fire.
uuently are not represented in this
exhibition. (Perhaps they did not
submit any work. But 1t does
include work by artists affiliated
with each of the local art groups
whose ANIMALS formerly were held
at the Corcoran. It was not limited
to the memberships of these local
organizations. Finally it Is sur
prising to find so large number
of conservative works. The show
as a whole is somewhat right OF
center.
Although there are no dazzling
revelations of unsupported genius
the exhibition has much to COM
mend it to public attention. 1t has
many laudable paintings and variety
In technique and subject matter.
There area few good examples In
sculpture and graphic arts. But
although the exhibition was open
to works in six mediums, 95 OF the
120 exhibits are oil paintings and
water colcrs.
Prize Sculpture Is Gothic
Heinz Warnecke's "Protectress"
received the 500 prize for the best
work in sculpture. The elongated
little figure is Gothic IN feeling
but contemporary in technique and
material (polished brassl.
Unable to select one painting as
sbest," the jury suggested and the
Gallery agreed to an equal division
of the $3.50 prize between the three
"most outstanding" paintings. These
differ so greatly in character, that
one wonders If they represent three
individual, rather than three joint
opinions. Arvid Hedin's romantic
marine "The Fog" is conservative,
the sort Of painting that would win
a popular vote. Jane Loves "Por-
trait of a Girl" Is beautiful piece
of work, with an unusual and dis
tingulshed color scheme of glowing
green and gold, with strong accents
of red. Paul Arlt's water color,
Autumn, Connecticut Avenue" is
q contemporary potpourri of land
mayks near Rhode Island avenue
and M street.
The jury gave honorable mem
tons to five additional oil paint
ings. Edmund Archer's large triple
portrait, Waiting for the De-
parture," is character study OF
Negro women at a window. Edwin
Beitzell's Eleanor" (Which i'm
pressed me as particularly good) is
notable for it's color, the girls face,
hair and gown painted in golden
tones from cream to copper, set
against an irridescent green marine
background. Samuel Bookatz's "Old
Violin" still life in tones of brown,
has a pleasing relationship between
the living tree and the musical in
strument. Might Watchman" is an
other of Richard Lahey's unpre-
tentious, searching likenesses OF
humble types. In contrast to the
above conservative paintings is
Sheila Cowan's deep blue abstrac-
ton, 1.-THE Pearl Necklace" the sub
ject of which will doubtless inspire
long, diligent searches by visitors.
Others Appeal to Critic
liked certain works in each
medium and subject class, in ad-
dition to those singled out by
awards and mentions. Eliot O'Hara's
outstanding "Cold August, Booth
bay" confirms the rumors one heard
of that resort last summer. Lois
Mailou Jones sunny views OF Mass
achusetts and Barbara RusselPs
high-keyed Princess Cottages, Ber-
muda," are coast scenes in more
cheerful weather.
Prentiss Taylor interprets water
Street Classicism" in harmonious
technique. Ethel Robertson Gath's
Back Doors" is painted just as
precisely, but with more color. Carl
Nyquist's Georgetown Houses" pre-
sents an interesting pattern OF
windows and doors.
Norma Bose transcribed West
Virginia Coal Mine" in happy era
of industry. Kameron Kent's "Wet
Winds Over Kansas" is another in
dustriaI scene which makes effective
use of commonplace subject matter.
About one in five of the paintings
are portraits or figures, including
single official work, portrait OF
George Bancroft, lent by the Navy.
Painted by Arthur Conrad, with the
aid Of a life drawing of the subject,
done in 1854, it Incorporates various