Evening star., 1950-05-21
Art
Mellon Collection
Adds Fine Work
By Gilbert Stuort
By Florence S. Bsrymon

L Ilc IVA siOtlAl SAlicIy OI ATt Te-
Gently acquired a superb, full
length. life-size portrait. The
Skater" painted about 1882 by
Gilbert Stuart. 1t was purchased
for the Mellon collection from the
great great-granddaughter of the
sitter. in whose family it had re-
manned for more than $50 years.
This painting" said David E.
Finley. director of the National
Gallery. established Gilbert
Stuart'S reputation in England.
where The Skater has long been
ranked with the work of Gains
borough, Romney and Raeburn.
1t can now be seen for the first
time on this side of the Atlantic" >"
Painted in London when Stuart
was in his mid-20S. and at the be-
ginning of his successful career
there, The Skater" was first ex-
hibited in the Royal Academy ex-
hibition in 1882. where it attracted
considerable notice. 1t Is actually
a portrait of w. Grant. Esq. of
Congalton. depicted skating in St.
James's Park, London, and is be-
lieved to have been Stuart's first
attempt at full-length one.
Horace Walpole. the periods prin-
cipal arbiter of taste. is reported
to have pronounced it very
good"
But Stuart'S failure to sign this
portrait led to confusion nearly a
century later. Shown again at
the Royal Academy in 1878. 1t was
tentatively attributed in the cata-
loeue to Gainsborough, while crit
les thought it might be the work
of Romney or Raeburn. The Art
Journal declared "a more grace
full and manly figure was surely
never painted by an English art
ist, and if Gainsborough were that
artist, this is unquestionably his
masterpiece"
After The Skater" had been on
view for some weeks. its lender
Lord Charles Pelham-Clinton. who
had come into possession of it
through his wife. the granddaugh-
ter Of the subject, wrote to her
uncle, "The Skaters" son, then
living in Virginia, for information.
The uncle replied that the por-
trait was painted by an American
artist little known in England but
highly appreciated in America.
mis- name, Stuart"
The Skater" will soon be hung,
and visitors to the National Gal
lery will see handsome 18th CEN
tury English gentleman decorously
enjoying an exhilarating time.
The vitality of his face and
graceful figure make the painting
lively work. despite the color
scheme of black and gray, relieved
only by the mans ruddy complex
ion and touches of red in other
young men on the bank and in
the middle distance. The formal
ity of costume gives a piquant
touch to all the skaters enjoy
ment. In the far distance are the
towers of Westminster Abbey.
Every one who sees it will surely
agree with Mr.. Finley, who con-
cluded that The Skater" will give
added distinction to the National
Gallery's rapidly growing collec-
ton of great paintings by Amer
ican artists.
| *+%s
Book Review
!. An appropriate souvenir of our
Sesquicentennial year and one OF
lasting interest and appeal is "The
White HOuse-H0me of the Pres
idents," by Randle B. Truett
(Hastings House, New York;
$2.75D This picture book of the
White House contains a short
but comprehensive introduction.
with historic highlights, descrip-
tions of the building at successive
periods, up to the beginning of its
present renovation. Eighty five
excellent photographs with in
formative captions. provide a
tour" of our first residence" not
possible in actuality this year.
Coreoron School Artists
Three more Corcoran School
faculty members are following
Eugen Weisz with exhibitions in
the library of George Washington
University. Jessalee Sickman,
Arvid Hedin and John Chapman
Lewis are represented with nearly
80 paintings. mostly oils, which
will be on view through Friday.
Seven of Mrs. Sickmans nine
paintings are portraits and figure
studies. Her portraits are some
what simplified, honest observa-
tions, and painted in unusual color
combinations which avoid the OBJ
vious. Her Study In Pink" (flow-
ers) is a beautiful arrangement,
which would be successful as the
keynote of q rooms color and
decoration.
Mr.. Hedin'S II paintings con-
firm his romanticiSm and strong
affection for blue. A harvest moon
illuminating an apple orchard.
another moonlit landscape under
snow. winter on the Potomac"
particularly appealing, nuns
walking along a Seacoast. several
colorful flower arrangements. are
all paintings the average person
would enjoy living with. In two
or three others. Mr.. Hedin's blue
tonality embraces areas Of pinkish
violet which are somewhat cloy-