New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-27
A Defence OF THE JUDGES.
JSo. LAFARGE,
sAN'L GOTHAM,
STANFORD WHITE.
gdttor The TrtOuHe.

To the Edttor OF The TFt0HHe.
SIR: AS the awards Of the judges in the
Prang Prize Competition arc exciting much comment
and some adverse criticism, will you allow one who sees
some "mchod In the madness" Of the judges to say
word in regard to the justice OF their decisiont
In spite the eDcomiums OF the general public IL 10
beyond question that the exhibition as whole WAS far
from what might have been expected. So much OF the
drawing was absolutely objectionable so much OF the
color was crude and little OF the decorative effect had
been carefully studied. that The judges might well ask
whether these results represented the condition OF deco
ratiye design in America. Granting that this ex-
hlbtion Is In measure fair indication
both OF the ambition and OF the attainments
OF the mass decorative designers the judges nave
been called upon fill most responsible position IL
must be remembered that Mr. PrangS purpose In instr
ng these competitions Is not simply to secure designs
which will meet popular approval, and will sell well;
his desire is TO obtain best work to be had ana by It's
means TO elevate whole standard of decorative design
I'll, this shall be recognized branch OF legitimate art
t ia IN pursuance OF this object that ne Solicited Tue au
of the best artistic talent OF the country IN making the
awards Under these conditions therefore, 1t was the
duty VI the Judges, artists aching In the interests Vi
the advancement Of ART to make such awards as would
most eecually educate public taste, and discipline our
ambitious but ignorant decorative designers
With this general purpose OF developing to the best OF
their power comparatively new and unstuded Drahcn
OF art among designers they met at the outset
ignorance Of the simplest technical principles OF art eA
messed with the rankest concet and evidenced by the
most deporabe results. The most obvious ana uniVer
sal faults those OF simple execution; Ine IDEAS OF
conces which the designers nan m J nv moor
drawing and careless composition Now ~ lnn{ W Saiu
that good design Is the product OF wciltfaiheu laEa
lion aud the power of technical expresscn and OF these
two factors IL was plain that the c1hDl,Is M r
IDEAS but labOred under terrible disadvantages us IT,
Dnrded the technical power of expression. The nrst
great lesson which the competitors neeueu 10 Ier whs
That technique absolute requisite 10 tne salsino
tory expression OF good IDEAS and 10 tnls emu tney
needed TO be shown the power OF purely a,S'v IT,, ~
aatness and inanity Of their amateurlsh attempts to
force poorly expressed ana therefore nenectu' iuedS
With these views the judges could not consclentous
set aside the two designs most n l4r Mn oe
man In any case work OF art IN itsei
Chrstmas sogyen and Is while Mi these two
designs we're not 80 happy their Ideas as were some
others they stu were sncent ppd were so far be.
yond the mass IN execution and rem dec9rano sor The
That under the circumstance yH W.e '0''''''
But on the other hand the other TWO roso IN e
judges show plainly the oreaa hay 81 Sy mo- give the
highest position to technique as leenn o s
gsch IL AZ present most needed for the successful de-
yelopmen OF decorative designs, ana te Vhe wnUu uT
mands the most emphasis IN c ss Dora WhesleT they
were undoubtedly led to ratio 1t thus highly ~ SP,e
faults. by the great value ana ts peSSipS decora
tive eect and that their Judgment upon t1 h
card will stand In regard TO Miss EmnetIs uessn, ts
enuroprlnteness of It's conception ana the grace Vi Hs
artistic expression fully justify the award ,tmo,,,
duty IN way which think WILL on reflection. receive
general acceptance They have SET l O ,bs or suS
mttcd and they have placed the seal OF their
upon strong and original IDEAS as Tue grSa IN #;
opositon TO ali tawdry sentimentasm ana a. .pe
ess and ignorant dabbng IN design wc nS
az fashionabe and which has met Win 70 lew IepuAes
They have gyonas We may sayIa vote a1r So
reir awards are the decisions OF artiSts Wno
nn tba,r work in tho two departments OF me az
decorative art have nrG sSs es s mesRod
MxSaye,oonS this branch Of design. IL Is Judgmen
pOndsed VIII h be i sTt now 70 as always
nst eaous mistress and that they VINO seer he W.
in lie attempt al Christmas deooratlon' me
with earnest study and In spninf vcoRATiys ART
Nee. York, Feb. 25, 1881.