The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-27
Philadelphia School of Design for Women

We have before us the prospectus for the
opening scholastic year of this admirable and
useful institution. Quietly and steadily, despite
many obstacles both from that most tangible
foe-poverty, and that most intangible opponent
-prejudice, ii has won its way to its present
high position, and can point back proudly to
what 1t has accomplished, and for ward hopefully
10 what IL may still perform.
A careful examination of the system pursued
and the work accomplished has thoroughly i'm
pressed us with its admirable adaptation OF
means to ends. The course is severely logical.
Not an hour is spent, not a line is dra Yn, that
does not tend directly to the aim in view.
Through sklfully and tboughtfully ARRANGED
plan, there is produced thorough sequence Of
studies leading from the simple mechanical
accuracy of drawings from the "fat" through
outlines from the "solid," to the mystery OF
shading, until the pupil by easy stages reaches
a skill that makes her capable of fairly and
Justly reproducing with her pencil the sublime
lines of antique sculpture.
This s'produotive systcm" is carried out in
every department. as well as in the entire plan.
The landscape studies, similarly arranged, pre-
sent curious and interesting progression from
the simplest elements of "scene" 10 the most
complicated eyolvements of all extended "view."
The unde-current of thought which has
prompted this work and rendered it so complete
is the grand Idea of the industrial elevation of
woman. None OF that mere prettiness and pet
tiness OF execution to which the sex has been so
long restricted, is here inculcated, but that
wholesome, vigorous study which gives the
pupil a full understanding of her work, and
especially of its application to the industrial
requirements OF the world.
Nowhere through the scheme is the progress
sive idea more distinctly visible than in the
method adopted in the lessons in design. The
practical idea of form suited to some simple
adornment for an oiI-cloth, for Instance, is pro-
posed, and some simple modification of a con-
mon geometrical figure advised as. a theme tor
the lively fances and nimble fingers of the
students. The most casual observer could not
fail to he attracted by the ingenuity with which
an added or detracted angle, or the substitution
of curved line for a straight one is made TO
produce an agreeable and appropriate design,
and to lead the fancy OF the pupil into pro-
gressive series more and more complex.
Colors, their Significance value and relations
are also studied in similar fashion, aud the
charts reveal many Of the beautiful mysteries
and wonderful effects produced BY artistic
| adjustment and juxtaposition.
The adaptation OF art to practical pursuits
such as wood engraving, llthography, aud de-
signing for wall papers, calico printing, carpets
etc., is the recognized aim OF the institution;
but the course is so thorough that it would be
help, and not hndrance TO the pursuit Of
the higher ranges of art proper. Tue historic,
landscape, or portrait painter, could not in
after time look back with regret on sugle
lesson as being useless expenditure of time.
The admission of women into the useful pur-
suits SO specially adapted to their taste delicAcy,
and ingenuity, now only awaits their education
| for the work, and we are glad to chronicle the
success of an institution SO efficiently directed
| to the furtherance of this branch of study.