Evening star., 1946-03-17
The Art World
Washington Artists 55th Exhibition
Opens Today at Corcoran Gallery of Art
By Florence S. Berrymon

"Opens Today at Corco
By Florence S. Berymon
The Society of Washington Artists
55th annual exhibition, which opens
this afternoon at the Corcoran Gall
lery of Art, is similar in character
to most of those the society has
held in recent years. Predominantly
conservative, it nevertheless has a
large proportion of works in modern
idioms, both paintings and sculpture.
Washingtonians who have seen a
number of earlier ANIMALS will
doubtless feel that they are greeting
an old friend in a new dress.
Although part of the annual's
familiar aspect is due to representa-
tion of artists well known here, there
are quite a few newcomers. The
show gives the impression of having
been literally an open" exhibition,
welcoming work from painters and
sculptors of this city and nearby
Maryland and Virginia. The exhi-
bition is larger than last years by
about 25 works Some of the paint
ings hang two rows deep in the
special exhibition gallery and the
atrium cases are filled.
The society's prizes, medals and
honorable mentions have been
awarded to conservative and modern
works, which is as it should be. For
by taking in various aspects of the
contemporary art endeavor the ex-I
hibition is representative of the
cross-currents, to say nothing of
cross-purposes, of life today-its be-
wildering variety.
The Evening Star award of 500
to the best picture in the exhibition
went to Saul Levine's School Boy"
which was reproduced in The Star
last Wednesday evening. Visitors
will have their own opinions as
to what is the best picture" su-.
perlative not possible to bestow ac-
curateiy. But every one who ex-i
amines Mr.. Levine's work will see
that it is beautifully painted; the
row of houses stretching back to-
Ia winter sky, seen through bare
trees, all seem to be exactly right.
The schoolboy himself has a hag-
gard, dissipated face, and most
mothers would suspect him of being
"a pernicious influence in whatever
school he attends.
Portrait by Embry
Wins Barney Prize
Lloyd Embrys Virginia" which
received the Alice Barney Prize of
s100 for the best portrait, is almost
a miniature of a gentle girl in soft
gray-blue, quiet in mood. Mr..
Embry won an honorable mention
in the last annual. for portrait
named Virginia" Hanging not far
from this years version is profile
portrait Of young girl by Alice
Barney, in whose memory her
daughter has given this prize. Mary
Winslow," by Marcella Comes, which
received second honorable mention
for portraits and figures. depicts
the artists little daughter in al
color symphony of warm yellows and
blue.
The societys medal for figure
painting went to "A Monday Morn
ing in March," by Frank H. Aston,
jr 1t is contemporary in handling
and subject matter, dealing with
several heavy-figured workmen in
the foreground of an ugly city street.
1t has distinguished color, with
iridescent combinations One of its
best touches is a pedestrian in the
background holding on to his hat.
Award of honorable mention tol
Norma Mazo's little Store Front,
with three figures, somewhat carica-
tured, before cheap shop, is diff
cult to understand.
Most Portraits Depict
Meditative People
Most of the portraits and figures
in this annual depict exceptionally
quiet, meditative people, motionless
against settings which in some in
stances resemble backdrops. Betty"
dreaming at piano, by Gladys
Milligan, secretary of the society;
"Arvid."' "'by Edith Namias "a por-
trait of Arvid Hedin, who is
himself represented with a large
mariie); Josef de Santos" life
size in a fully painted interior, by
Tony Carnelli; Edward R. Groves
nicely done portrait of a young
woman in green, so quiet, one can
hear the proverbial pin drop;
Catharine Carter Critcher's Young
Actress" in an informal pose, and
May G. Marshall's Carl" whose
|contemplative head is in contrast
to his colorful Mexican costume and
background.
Carl Nyquist shows q handsome
full-length portrait of a young
woman in a close harmony of blue,
violet, gray and brown. what Now?"
by Christine Westerstrom is the
most radical portrait in handling,
but an arresting characterization of
Ia forlorn old drudge, curiously
realized in lurid colors. Jessalee
Sickman's Cocktail Hour is a
telling capture of type who, judged
by her expression, has had several.
Andrea zerega has contributed q
lively portrait Of Henry w. Olson,
president of the Society of Wash
ington Artists. Mr.. Olson Is the
recipient of the first honorable
mention in landscape, view Of
Ellicott City. In the foreground are
. red and yellow house and an
advertising sign. garish introduce