Studio: international art (71.1917)

Studio- Talk

BOOK-PLATE BY F. STANLEY HARROD

up a strong collection of prints and drawings,
and during the lean years of war it has been
possible to pursue this with less curtailment
than other departments. Particularly to be
mentioned among the year's acquisitions, which
include drawings by Charles Shannon, Augustus
John, W. Rothenstein, Ernest Cole, and Joel
Levitt (a young Russian recently come to New
York), are some drawings by Arnesby Brown,
R.A., which I believe are the first finished draw-
ings the artist has produced, and which have
not been exhibited elsewhere than in Canada.
The drawings, seven in number, are executed in
lithographic chalk with or without the addition
of water-colour. Arnesby Brown's art has not
achieved its distinction by means, of any special
versatility or unexpectedness of method or
subject, but rather by a masterly grasp and
logical development of simple themes upon
which close observation and incessant study
enable him to compose an infinite variety of
utterances. As with his pictures so with these
drawings; they do not astonish by their
mannerism but they convince by their truth.
Each has its special appeal and each is carried
out with the minimum of means and a perfect
understand'ng of the effect to be produced.

While not a recent purchase, there comes to
mind a small water-colour bv Whistler called
38

Rose and Pink, the Mother's Siesta, which I
believe has never been mentioned as being in the
possession of the National Gallery of Canada.
The coloured reproduction of it conveys its
charm admirably. The drawing is signed with the
butterfly and on the back is a small piece of white
paper bearing the title and similarly signed.

As I write the news comes of a still more
drastic curtailment of the resources of the
National Gallery owing to the exigencies of war,
and at present it seems unlikely that there will
be many purchases of importance to record
during the present year. Eric Brown.

TORONTO.—The two book-plates here
reproduced are the work of Mr. F.
Stanley Harrod, who after following
a seafaring occupation, and later
the profession of engineering, has turned to
art and made his mark as a draughtsman of
talent. He uses various mediums with facility,
.such as etching, pen and ink, and wash, but
his special forte is lettering, and his services in
this connexion have been largely drawn upon
by Government departments, the Press, and,
latterly, by the Central Technical School of
Toronto, where he has had charge of a class of
students in this branch of graphic art.

the (qowrnment of On&rio

to__

BOOK-PLATE BY F. STANLEY HARROD