DANA GIBSON

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6492, 11 April 1908, Page 4

DANA GIBSON

Charles Dana. Gibson, the great Amo rioan artist, who created tho "Gibson girl," has (says; "M.A.P.") been championing the English girl in Berlin. Visiting the exhibition of. old English masters there recently,, ho declared that “England to-day is just ns full of beautiful girls as in tho days of Gainsborough and Reynolds." 'lt will be remembered that Mr Gibson, who, quite excusably, had got tired of his own creation, the "Gibson girl," went to Paris soma years ago in order to become a porfrait-painter himself. He is probably the greatest master of expression in black and white America has over known. He can show worlds of wislota, misery, or boredom by the position of an arm, the poise of a head. When 'dining at a friend’s house cue evening someone asked Mr Gibson if ha could make n line drawing of a woman’s shoulders which would express any emotion they might suggest—the outiinO to be from the hack. Mr Gibeon thought ho could do it, but suggested that ho should make cetera! sketches on a slate, ouo after tho other, and let the company guess at % feeling aimed «t in! them. This he diet, with the surprising results tliat in moetcases tho point was hit without ti second-guess, and he made quick -sketches to express pain, sorrow, weariness, coquetry, nul fright. ' Mi- Gibeon declare® feat the faces of most men and women of to-day, especially those of the upper classes, where the wearing of masks is tip rule lather th*.m the exception, cannot be taken as expressive of the real feelings, which are more certainly revealed by the body and the limbs when noticed ih Conjunction with the facial expression. He Ims repeatedly-remarked tho alvsene; of agi. tation on*i man’s face while hi, hands and attitude gave evidence of tho utmost discomposure.