Studio: international art (86.1923)

LONDON

CUT GLASS VASE BY
JOSEF DRAHONOVSKY

aims at showing that it is still possible to
combine art with the better commercial
types of glassware and to engrave figurative
ornaments on it successfully. This art,
which is regarded by many as being ex-
clusive, can be brought within the reach of
a much larger community. It may be added
that in his own country Professor Draho-
novsky has a good reputation as a sculptor,
and some of his works have brought him
high distinctions in prize competitions.

K. Haltmar.

LONDON. — The exhibition of British
Primitives, at the Royal Academy, will
do much to prove that the British school
of pictorial art did not, as is popularly
supposed, commence with Hogarth. In
the collection, which has been brought
together through the efforts of Lord Lee
of Fareham and other collectors, there are
many things which were, no doubt, im-
ported from abroad or executed by foreign
artists living temporarily in this country,
but there is, too, a considerable proportion
of work which can reasonably be claimed
as being definitely of native production.
It is evident that for many centuries
British artists and craftsmen were able to
maintain a high standard of achievement,
and that their performance well bears
comparison with that of their contem-
poraries abroad. a a a o
By a fortunate chance there is, also, at
the Academy an exhibition of works by
Australian artists which can fairly be
accepted as representing the most recent
development of British art. The artists
of Australia have taken the British tradition
as it was before it became confused by
revolutionary — or reactionary — borrow-
ings from foreign sources, and they have
adapted it intelligently to the local con-
ditions under which they have to work :
they have brought to their application of
it much sincerity and a great deal of
youthful energy, and they have revivified
it by a sane and healthy freshness of out-
look. The result is a type of production
which is as promising as it is interesting
—there is growing up in Australia a
landscape school led by such men as Mr.
Arthur Streeton, Mr. Elioth Gruner, Mr.
W. Ashton, and Mr. Hans Heysen, which
has an abundant vitality, and there is some
creditable figure work being done as well.
Perhaps the only jarring note in the
wholesome harmony of the collection is
provided by the drawings and etchings of
Mr. Norman Lindsay, whose skilful tech-
nique is wasted upon subjects which are
coarse in conception and decadent in
sentiment. a a a a a
Among the many other exhibitions which
have recently been opened in London,
that at the French Gallery deserves to be
particularly noted because it includes
important groups of works by Charles

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