New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-30
ART NEWS AND COMMENTS.
THE WEEK IN ART CIRCLES.
A sAnrn rxnrpir1oN-wonK OF THE AncHI-

at the American Art Galleries In March
Although tho works Of modern French masters arc
20 DO found in all considerable American collections
II has seemed impossible to organize thoroughly IL
Illustrative special exhibitions. The value OF such
exhibitions representing each phase Of given artists
work will be readily appreciated MiIet exhibition
such as was proposed two years ago, could be mahc
to furnish better understanding Of the artist than
could be gained from tn. study Of isolated examples
for years The same might be said Of Cor0t and Rous
scau, who we'll represented in American colec'
tons Perhaps the barge exhibition may lead to
others.
The purpose Of this exhibition IL TO encourage sub
scrptons to the monument to Barge, which Is 10 DC
erected in Paris. A Barye exhibition Is to be held
in Paris in March, raise funds for this monument
and one American. at least has already made lib
cra subscription. To the same generous amateur,
whose Baye collection the finest in this country,
is due the credit for the idea Of American exhibit
ton The American Art Association have ohefou
their galleries free of charge. Various amateurs
who are owners OF Barge bronzes and water
colors, have expressed willingness to lend
their examples and It is therefore certain that
many OF the proofs OF Baryes finest ieces
NAV be obtained II Is not deemed probable
that a satisfactory sum could be realized from the
receipts for admission alone, and the purpose OF the
exhibition will be to invite subscriptions TO the
monument fund.
There should be q generous response from American
amateurs for the work Of the great French sculptor
OF animals has been appreciated In this country even
though substantial appreciation has been confined 70
a comparatively few. Mr.. w. T. Walters, OF Baltl-
more was the leader here. in some other fields OF
art and HIS prompt sympathy with Baryc presently
communicated itself 30 Others II was chiefly through
Mr. Walters that the CorcOran Gallery at Washington
tecnrne the owner OF It's admirable Barge collection
Mr. waers's Barge room Is known at least by rcpna-
lion to most American amateurs and the collector has
already erec ted an American memorial of Barge In the
noble bronzes Of Mt Vernon Place. In this CITY
Mcssrs Cyrus J. Lawrence. H. Il. Bishop and j. A.
Garland. in Boston Mr. Quincy Shaw, in Montreal
Mr. Van Horne and in Chicago Mr.. Field, OF Field,
Letter & Co. among the owners OF examples OF
haryc. It should not be difficult to organize an cN-
hlbiton. rich in examples Of Balye's water-color
work, and presenting a nearly complete COLLECTION U,
bronzes Of the finest quality.
The competition inaugurated by the Architectural
League may have larger indirect usefulness than
the designs would indicate, but II must be said that
neither the " clock tower village green nor the
tomb Of an lusrious architect has proved an IN
spring theme. Perhaps neither subject has seemed
sufficiently "actucllc" TO awaken the enthusiasm Of
young designers. The drawing; submitted for this
years competition show an agreement, which IS not
surprising, upon classic scmiclassic formulas, II
we may Judge from the examples hung in the lobby
of the Fifth Avenue Galleries Mr.. Buie's design,
which gained the gold medal ls purely classic com
position, which gains doubt, from It's presentation
a feature Of the landscape But this group OF de-
signs Will hardly tempt the visitor to lnger There
are many centres In the large gallery like
the rather drcary plans for the mu-
nicipal building, Mr. GIbsons disign for
the building of the United States Trust
Company, the drawing Of the great hall proposed for
The Boston Public Library, and the Memorial Building
at Yale. There is nothing of remarkable distinction
among the plans for large business buildings, but
much which shows earnest effort to assimiIate mo
tives. classic, Romanesquc. French or Flemish, and
to apply them in the treatment OF the modern prob
lem which has grown important since the general
use Of elevators The examples Of ecclesiastical arch
lecture are unremarkable, II except a minor sp-
plcation OF the Romancspue, which is plainly forced
As easy generalization II might be said that this
exhibition illustrates the increase In country living.
There four designs for country clubs TO be noted
and although the proportion Of country houses may
smaller than last year. yet It VIII be found that
the colonial country residence IS very much IN cyl
dcnce 1t is pleasant 10 find the humble country
school seriously considered by trained architects.
The continuation OF efforts improve upon the dismal
railway stations which have prevailed among us may
be noted the photographs of the Mott Haven station,
literally continuance of the work which Richardson
began.
All this Is worth consideration, and that archl
lecture gaining larger acceptance art instead
OF mechanical trade, no doubt the
public will detect the evidences Of
feeling for "color' or fitness Of design,
or largrness Of effect at least comprehensive edu
cation. But 1t Is probable that the exhibition Of
decorative design and applied art in the second
gallery will prove to be more popular. The
entrance IS eraced by Mr.. DIN H. Warmers beauti
full caryatldes. remarkable for their strilc-
ura truth for their purity of form The exhibition
of applied art tells story which is
encouraging, when remember that we
have for long time approached art only on
the academic side. The separation is arbitrary and
fate. and It IS pleasant to find artists like Mcssrs
Mowbray Church. Blashfcld, Blum, Bcckwh, and
Others lending their energies to decorative purposes
In this field Mr.. MOwbray has done admirable work
end his panel Among the Blossoms' is really moro
successful in the blending OF coOrs and the harmonic
ing and equal diffusion OF tints than OF his
easel paintings. Mr.. Blum's Vintage Festival" an
admirably expressive, vivacous sketch, far as It
goes and Mr. Beckwith's spring show that our own
artists stand ready to make painting natural part
Of our homes inst esd OF artificial addition The
largest example Of design in the gallery Is MI Louis
TiGanys study for a memorial window at Yale painted
By the artist, a design in which tho realistically
modern types out OF harmony with the con-
cepton 1t is in design not in execution that progress
Is to be hoped for among American stained glass
workers whether the methods of the now school,
are the most appropriate or not is question which
need not be raised here. Mr.. Tifanys designs are
accompanied by Others from Mr. Crownlnshleh Mr.
Yandc illustrates certain finely decorative posslb-
ties in his examples OF Illuminated leather Tho
Associated Artists contribute some Of the decorative
designs for needle painting" and Coiticr, IcTter.
Narcotic, Cellay and Others send examples OF wood
carvings and has rclicfs old and with other
worthy examples Of decorative design More
significant however. is the evidence OF 80 much
American decorative feeling that the existence OF
much more talent may bo Inferred talent which
would be productive II properly directed Thus the
exhibition reinforccs the plea which we have often
made for amplcr education In applied art here I'm
New.York The Architectural League deserves credit
for its In bringing decorative art into honorable
prominence.
ApIopos Of the coming exhibition Of " old masters
owned by the Duke OF Arcol II + recalled that a
similar sale held in this city several years ago
The Duke Of Salamanca whose name was given T. a