Evening star., 1949-04-10

Three at Sale de Champagne
Marguerite Burgess, who had a
solo exhibition last autumn at the
Baltimore Museum of Art and sub
sequently another at the Central
Public Library. Is now showing
more than 80 works-oils, water
colors and drawings-at the Sale
de Champagne. She paints in a
personal modern idiom, using
darkgrayed colors in somewhat
dry application. to depict tmostly)
semiabstract ideational figures in
closed in heavy black outlines.
One might describe them as So
phisticated photographs.
A native of Annandale, Va. she
studied at the Corcoran School of
Art, the Phillips Memorial Gallery
School and with c. Law Watkins.
Subsequently, she was an in
structor at the two schools and for
two years was on the administra-
tive staff Of the Phillips Gallery.
She has exhibited frequently in
recent years and has received sew
eral awards.
Maxim Elias, recipient Of first
prize at the regional sculptors'
show at the Corcoran Gallery last
year, and also on two occasions,
of first prize Of the Society of
Washington Artists, is showing
sculpture IN the Sale foyer. The
group on display demonstrates his
manner Of handling various woods
and metals. He favors blocky or
chunky treatment of wood. where
as his work in hammered lead and
aluminium is fluent.
From the layman's point of
view, neither of these exhibitions
would seem to have ingratiating
qualities.
Hazel Scaife Detweiler, the third
exhibitor at the Sale de Cham
payne, is represented with a group
Of seven ceramic sculptures, figures
8 to 10 inches high, which depict
Henry VIII and his six wives.
Henry" is a likeness: the wives
have nearly identical faces, but
are individualized by their cos
tunes. obviously inspired by the
Holbein portraits of them. It is
an interesting and charming little
display.
New Book on Roosevelt
Franklin Roosevelt at Hyde
Park" by Olin Dows (American
Artists Group, So. is to be pub
lished Tuesday, the fourth ami
versary of the death Of our 31st
President. Mr.. Dows is well re-
membered in Washington, for he
lived In Georgetown during the
1930s. For more than two years
he worked In the administration
Of various Of the Governments art
projects; among others, he was
chief Of the Treasury Relief Art
Project. \
The books major interest is the
series of 174 pen and wash draw
ings by Mr.. Dows. who, after his
war service. returned to his home
in Rhinebeck, miles above Hyde
Park. It Is obvious that these
drawings have been a labor of
love by one who, as a contempo-
rary Of Franklin Roosevelt's chill
dren, knew them as neighbors.
Mr.. Dows' drawings are beautiful,
clean-cut, naturalistic representa-
tions Of known places and objects,
and reconstructions of imagined
incidents involving famous per-
sons. all Of which convey to the
reader a sense of the good life
that was lived in that part Of the
Hudson Valley not so long ago.
In his introduction Mr.. Dows dis
arms criticism of his text. which
is fragmentary and lacking In
continuity. by warning the reader
that this is "a picture book ac-
companfed by thoroughly informal
notes."
An exhibition of Mr.. Dows' orr
ginal drawings for this book will
open Tuesday at the Macbeth Gal
lery. New York City, to remain
through April.
\ 4
Artists Equity
Richard Lahey, principal of the
Corcoran School of Art, and
NKifrha1l Tovofarrr yUa rI; ;~ c<1x.