New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-06
THE CATHEDRAL DESIGNS.
A FOREIGN JURY PROPOSED - PROTEST
AGAINST MEpIAEvALIsM.

AGAINST ALI SM
rome razor Of the Tribune.
Sir: Reading with much pleasure some excellent
editorials I'm several papers IN the matter of che New
York Protestant Episcopal Cathedral l have been
tempted 20 write few suggestions on competitions In
renera as they understood in this country where
architecture is still IN its infancy, and this compe-
tition 10 particular.
Being an architect, born I'm foreign country and
with a foreign education, and having made no plans
myself for this cathedral, but having with inter
est number of the plans presented to the trustees
which excel Anything that l had expected, have, 1
think the right 10 speak freely believe that mas
much as specific programme prescribing one certain
STYLE or some certain features of the work given
10 tho competitors, but they having been left free
10 find their way, the committee should not have
looked Or scheme nearest to what it had in mind
but it should have chosen architect; the man who
showed the greatest ability in composition and not
the man who cleverly adapted and combined inter
esting examples nor him who merely understood no"
ingenously TO arrange things from an architectural
standpoint of View much less the man who, putting
his hand in graz css, had the luck 10 draw the pan
nearest to what had been preconceived by the com
mIttee but the who had proved himself most
familiar wish the great principles of composition ana
whose study had shown the true and consequent III
terpreaton of the spirit Of the times in mater OIL
style and character.
Now, in the controversy that has arisen, inasmuch
as the best judges in the matter are supposed 10 10
themselves in the competition, why would IL not DO
advisable 10 send all the drawings or, If impiacu
cable all the floor plans-for every architect Oh eau
cation admits that the entire conception and ABILITY
Of architects composition, from an artisuc Po'"'
of view is found in the floor plan Of such DulaIns
which almost determines what comes ABOVE" uio
French Institute or TO the EcOle deS BeauX Arts Or
to the Royal Academy to some other foreign oody
of architects? Tbs body would certainly be IN
and Is
matters could bring forth only one of two results
l. Should they agree with the decision winch
has already been reached, then this could only eA-
cite deeper interest In the matter, winning iof to
Judgment of the committee the confidence OF inc
profession and of the public at large and eliminating
from the minds that somewhat crucial test Oh IdIn
referred in OF the articles.
. should they not agree with the committee ana
sustain some one Of the opinions already current,
then a serious mistake IN the beginning OF TINS gia'
work would be prevented, a thing which certain! no
one could regret Lett therefore, the plans go to such
Jury, accompanied by the programme which was
given to the architects and without further com
ments, and hear the judgment of these competent
would gladly submit TO IT, and II would be before inc
public fair and intelligent arbitration: ,,,ors oro
IL is interesting 10 know how such cOmpeuuons arc
decided in other countries. Usually SIX men are
selected for the jury. two by the vote OF the arcI
iecls competing two by the trustees OF the corpora
tion, and two by the leading architectural D0dy
voted upon by that body itself Before ana a dfd
great mistake that the committee made here IS that
thew committed themselves to the architects ID inc
matter Of exhibition. The greatest puoncny -
given abroad the presented plans, ana susEes'io
and criticisms are freely received This Is not inc
rule with competitions. =, -. .
noticed that the plans selected arc all OF d
medieval style, three being Gothic. 1t would DC
interesting 10 many besides myself 10 learn now II
has been thought possible 70 build at the emu Oh my
nineteenth century mediaeval church "hicn
would be as great a work Of art as an expression
of lis time as Nore Dame of Paris, or any OF inc
great Gothic cathedrals for their time have
tba fmes
possible from historic artistic point OF view n :
is not this matter worth discussing Ana has thoIe
not been in the committee prejudice IN favor oi
the mediaeva7 There are no really Srahu ChuIcies
in modern styles. owing TO the persistence III upns
The mediaeva against all sense. 81. Paufs IN Loii-
dom The Pantheon and the Paais des lnValues ia
poys show sufficiently what be done. Ou,Sme
~ church architecture, tho truly great prouuc,ion5
ot tbe century are all renaissance and they stahd
as high and higher in their period than any preceu-
ING STYLES stood In their own times 1aho lor
exsmpie ste Genevieve, the Ecole DIES BeauX-Afts'
Poole de Medicine, the Libraries. the many modern
1roriss in Munich Dresden. Vienna. etc. II profane
srchitect,re has produced these monuments there
is no reason why sacred architecture should NOT nave
bsen inst as successful II 1t had not been stuntetl
IN It's deyelopnent and kept stationary by the pref
nd,rs for the Gothic ard the old in all its forms.
II our renaissance France takes the lead. ana we
have IN look up in preference 10 others on &C
no,n. ~ the greater unity of the composition, the
want Of which is felt in some Of the English or Ger
man works. +