Mary Van Der Veer - Amserdam NY Artist

RECORDER, AMSTERDAM, N.Y., FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1932

PAINTINGS ARE ADMIRED BY MANY

Choice Works of Art From Brush of Miss Mary Van der Veer Exhibited.

An exhibition of paintings by Miss Mary Van der Veer is being held at the former home of the late Mrs. Francis Morris. 124 Guy Park Avenue, which has been generously loaned for the occasion by the owner, Elliott R. Boice. The exhibit, which is sponsored by the Ladies auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. for the benefit of its "little Y' fund, opened Thursday night, when more than a hundred people took advantage of this unusual opportunity to examine many of the pictures created by Miss Van der Veer. DeBaun Van Aken opened the exhibit with a short address, in which he paid eloquent tribute to the remarkable achievements of the Amsterdam artist. Members of the auxiliary received the guests.

The rooms of the first floor lend themselves well to the display of the pictures, although even here space is at a premium because of the large collection of paintings which have been gathered together from the homes of generous friends in Amsterdam. About 85 paintings have been loaned, and these have been arranged with great care and attention to types and groupings by Robert Turner, Miss Jane Rulison, Miss Ethel Rulison and Miss Laura Van Vechten.

The paintings consist of portraits of children in pastel, flowers in water colors, portraits in oil and Dutch interiors. There are also a few Venetian scenes, which are unusual in Miss Van der Veer's work, as they are not a type usually chosen by her, and these examples will no doubt surprise many who have had no earlier opportunity to see them.

The exhibit has been arranged with an idea to symmetry, and the large number of visitors Thursday night expressed their delight not only at the number and variety of the subjects displayed, but with their artistic arrangement. Contrast is shown in the two rooms, in the west parlor the more sombre tones of the oils predominating, while in the east room are the gay colored pastels. The paintings range from those which make up Miss Van der Veers earlier work to her latest picture, that of Nadia D Smeallie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H Wallace Smeallie, which was done in 1931.

The oils attracted many at the opening, while others showed their preference for the pastels and water colors. The Dutch pictures which are low in key, are true to type, as Holland itself is so dark Miss Van der Veer handles tones so well that the pictures have an amazing sense of depth which is a great achievement for an artist and each picture stays well in its frame.

The portrait of William J. Kline more than any other of Miss Van der Veers works shows the influence of Whistler with whom she studied in the Carmen Academy, Paris. "The Father Fishes Upon the North Sea,” another picture which attracted attention, was awarded the bronze medal at the St. Louis exposition.

In viewing the paintings, one is impressed not only by the number of pictures but by the artistic
maturity of the exhibit as a whole. In any of her pictures, Miss Van der Veer follows the traditions of the best masters The general tone of each picture Is so true that it is remarkable, particularly to those whose knowledge of art adds to their appreciation of the works which are being shown.

The pastels, which Miss Van der Veer handles as well as any contemporary artist were the source of special Interest to many. A number of the pictures have been exhibited in national shows. The artist’s love for flowers and her handling of these subjects were well shown in the display of water colors which include peonies, petunias, calendulas, tulips, gladioli and larkspur.

A group of the pictures on display are owned by Miss Van der Veer, and are on sale. This group includes "The Geography Lesson,” “Grace Before Meat," "By the Old Stove,” "Dutch Kitchen," "Peonies," "Tulips," "Pink Peonies," “Gladiolas," "Petunias," “Daffodils and Violets," “Marigolds” and "Calendulas." The last named picture is to be sold for the benefit of the Y. M C. A., this being Miss Van der Veer's generous contribution to the Ladies' auxiliary. "The Geography Lesson" received the Shaw prize of the National Academy of Design.

Bowls of cut flowers and flowering plants add to the attractiveness of the rooms. In the hall is the serving table, with decorations appropriate to St. Patrick's day. During the exhibit Thursday night coffee was served by the committee, assisted by the Misses Jean Cockburn, Gretchen Pensel, Katherine Platt and Frances Hill. This afternoon tea was served.

The exhibit will be open tonight until 10 o'clock. Saturday morning the school children of the city will be special guests, while the public will also be welcomed to this, the last showing of the pictures. This is the second exhibit of Miss Van der Veers work in Amsterdam. In arranging for it the "Y" auxiliary has made possible an artistic event which is all too infrequent in this city. It is an aesthetic treat of which many residents are availing themselves, and the auxiliary, as well as the community at large, is to be congratulated on this opportunity to collect and view the works of an artist of which any city might well be proud.

View the 1932 Program Booklet listing the exhibited paintings and thier owners in pdf format.

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