Evening star., 1948-05-02
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Phillips Exhibition
Is Individualistic:
Bernstein Display
Sy Florence S. Berrymon

'SfS"~S - Siiyu0U
Artists of Washington, Baltimore
and vicinity, whose paintings COM
pose the May exhibition at the
Phillips Memorial Gallery, show
more or less leftist tendencies, as
one would expect. But there the
unity ends. There is no standard
ization in the modern idioms they
exemplify. A large majority of these
artists regularly exhibit at the Phil
lips Gallery, and in the current
show, generally adhere to their indi-
Vidual approaches which are doubt
less familiar to frequenters of the
gallery
About a quarter of the exhibition
Is made up OF paintings which are
easily enjoyed by the layman, with
out any mental wear and tear. They
are pleasant, competent works,
nearest to tradition. Charlotte Kim
balls Supper" combining flowers,
still life and quiet figure, has
charm Of color, subject and treat
ment. John Gernands Three
Birds has the poetic approach, diff
fused, glowing illumination and
gray tonality characteristic of his
work. Studio Window" by Alice
Acheson has subtle color contrasts.
Giese's Daughter is Appealing.
Harold Giese shows a tender cap
ture of his little daughter. Marcella
Comes Denis Devlin," almost a i
miniature. impresses me as a living
likeness. Andrea Zerega's Neigh
bors' depicts their residences. Ed
ward Rosenfeld's cheerful little
Circus" and works by one or two
others, have been seen this season,
In their respective one-man shows
In Washington. Jack Perlmutters
roofscape Night Pattern" too, looks
familiar, possibly only because of
its kinship with most of his paint
ings. James Mclaughlin Sheep
Cote" Is the most mature work I
have seen by him. Books, Fruit |
and Leaves" by Marian Reggie is
semiabstract still life, simplified,
reticent and pleasing.
There are number of good street
scenes and architectural subjects. !
November Afternoon" by Charles
Hoover is straightforward trans
cription OF lonely country church
In cold sunshine. Red Door" by
Margaret Appich is patterned of
architectural angles. Paul Arlt's
Washington Street Scene is in
semiabstract idiom he has been de-
veloping since he left the service;
this one has the effect of an illus
tration for smart periodical. 1t
struck me as having a tongue in
cheek air not found in, for instance,
Jacob Glushakow's demolition" a
Baltimore street scene.
Emotional Conceptions Portrayed.
A few paintings endeavor to ex-
press emotional conceptions. Mary
Watkins work is usually to be found .
in this class, as in the present in
stance: Flight From Fear de-
picting impersonal figures doggedly .
climbing a frightening precipice.
Christ Enrobed" by Thomas va
nosky misses being impressive, I
think, because of the facial express
sion, which appears to be one of
boredom rather than of suffering, /
fortitude, gallantry or resignation.
Dick Miller's Love Match" has me
stymied; the lovers, a sorry pair, !
seem to be pulling very long faces
over what ought to be happy stu
alton. Mary Powers Ward g." an
other near miniature, with its mel
sncholy little figure and blue tonal-
ity, conveys feeling of depression.
Jacob Kainen appears to be fol-
lowing one trend observed lately in I
many national exhibitions: his
forms are increasingly abstract. and
his colors increasingly luscious. |
Herman Maril long noted for the
economy of his statement, has car
ried it even farther in High Rock"
John c. Galloway's unpretentiouS
still life with fish is more direct
than works he has been showing in
some months.
This exhibition will remain
through Memorial Day.
" y
People and Vacationlands
Theresa Bernstein, whose prints
in various media compose the exhi-
bition just opened in the Division
Of Graphic Arts, Smithsonian build
ing, is primarily interested in people
rs subjects, then in the places they
frequent: city streets and parks, sea-
shore and wharves. She is versatile
in use OF mediums, showing mono
types, etchings, drypoints, aquatints,
soft ground and combinations. She
also varies her handling. a delicate
touch in some prints, a heavy hand
In others.
An aquatint portrait of an artist
presumably HERSELF is one of the
best works in the show, with its
subtle tone gradations. and velvety
color. A portrait of William Meyer
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