Evening star., 1948-07-04

has double Slgnlf1cance, marking the
18th anniversary of VeneZuela's
independence and the official OBJ
servance of our own independence.
The participation of Presidents of
the two nations will make 1t q
uniquely memorable occasion.
The bronze figure of Bolivar, q
replica of the well-known statue by
the Sculptor Tenerani. Is just over
7 feet high on a Carara marble
base II feet high.
This event is the realization Of a
plan originally conceived in 194l
by DR.. John M. c. Crane OF Wash
lngton, historian and biographer Of
Bolivar. DR.. Crane had the support
of the then Senator Harry S. Tru-
man. They were co-founders of the
Simon Bolivar Memorial Founda-
ton which was chartered here early
this year. X X X
Sculptor Painter
OF the four painters whose one
man exhibitions at the Corcoran
Gallery of Art 1 undertook to review
separately, William S. Calfee's work
is undoubtedly the most difficult for
public understanding. He calls to
mind the solitary climber in Olive
Schreiner's Dreams" casting aside
popular appeal and early triumphs
in order to pursue his own vision.
This Washington artist, by birth
Q909 and residence (save for his
years OF study in Paris at the Ecole
de Beaux-Arts with Paul Landow-
ski and at Cranbrook, Mich,
with Carl Miles. used to paint in
manner easily comprehended by the
public. incidentally all of Mr.. CAL
fees formal training was in sculp-
ture, and in past years he has shown
some notable works in that medium
Although Mrs. Gates, Mrs. Gath
and Mn Bookatz chose examples
of their own work which constitute
retrospective exhibitions dating
back from three to Is years. Mr..
Calfee has elected to show only work
of the past year. 1t Is a more
homogeneous display than it would
have been, had he included earlier
work, for whereas he used to paint
in a more or less traditional manner,
ne has lately become increasingly
concerned with experimental paint
ing. Consequently, his comments
on his present show are of much in
terest.
Color and pattern are his major
preoccupations and. one suspects,
the spirit of each subject as he in
terprets it. For instance, If there
were such creatures as satyrs, I
think they would be more likely to
impress the beholder as does Mr..
Calfees imaginary reconstruction
of one, than do those of Italian
Renaissance paintings. Mr.. Calfee
said he handled his "Satyr" play
fully, and that its color and re-
f1ected ruddy lights may have been
inspired by Rubens. Another sub
ject from classical mythology,
Europa" ne handles with overtones
of brutality, as modern psychology
would probably interpret the theme.
Il have endeavored," said Mr..
Calfee, ito adapt handling to idea
rather than to force ideas into con-
formity with given technique.
Some of the pictures have begun
with a subject. In others, shape
and color movement suggested their
final identification" He pointed
out that the Indian Weaver" for
instance, has a fiat pattern and col
ored shapes recalling Navajo rugs.
The large painting, entitled EN-
battled Soul" meant more to him
in execution. he said, and was more
difficult to realize than any other.
The problem here" he continued,
was to achieve a vital color pattern
suitable without becoming gay or
pretty, and at the same time, to
solidify the form without losing
movement"
He has certainly achieved a color
range different from what one has
seen in his work heretofore. Ones
IlISU lHlpI cSSlOll 10 tAldG CAiC paintings
are all somewhat grayed; actually,
they are Illuminated with flashes OF
sapphire blue, violet, scarlet and
yellow.
In conclusion, the artist said that
he hoped to draw the observer into
participation in color and shape
idea. +++ ~
Lakeland Portrait Shown
A portrait of the late Brig. Gen.
Francis Dorwin Lakeland, recently
completed by Andrea Zerega, Ital-
ian-born Washington artist, is on
view at the Corcoran Gallery of Art
until the middle of this week.
1t impresses me as a lifelike cap
ture, with strong color and modern
handling of the background Offset
ting the necessarily detailed treat
ment Of the uniform. The olive
green-brown coat and pinkish-gray
trousers are contrasted with varied
blues of background, in which a dis
tant airplane is seen, representing