Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-01
THE WATERBURY DEMOCRAT. SATURDAY. JUNE | 1se

entrance and which supports the cupola is completely covered with carvings of heads in white and gold, relieved with the painted coat of arms of all the cities of France. In the middle of the arch, and at both ends, immense heads of white and gilt represent Europe, Amer ica and Asia. The sides of the edifice are covered with groupings of white and gold statues and at the base, on one side is colossal bronze statue of "Industy,' D on the other one of Commerce. This facade and the dome is almost as great piece of work as its opposite. the Eiffel tower.
 The ornamentation of the interior of the cupola is patterned after that of St. Peters at Rome. gilt and enameled gallery runs all around it. Above it is frescoed to initiate mosaic, representing scenes from LIe history of France. The dome is constructed with clear yellow stained glass which reflects golden hue in the cupola and below The portals of this dome are a medley of cut steel, mosaic, faience, stained glass and bronze ornamentafions. But do not imagine this is . mixture of costly materials ar ranged without taste or art. Every orna- ment is conceived and executed with taste, and the ensemble is most pleasing even to a very fastidious eye. The enclosure built under the dome. is
 
 concerts. Back of it is the gallery of 800 metres about 1000 feet long. It is re- served for the French industries of deco rat1Ve arts. This central gallery leads to smaller wings, whose space is filled by French and foreign exhibitions. The United States exhibition is on the right as you enter, beyond the Swiss and the has been given them. None of the ex- hibitors were altogether ready for the opening.
 Where will spend most>of my time is in the Palace of Fine arts. only took furtive glace at the pictures on open ing day; but my heart rejoiced to see so many old friends, paintings which l had seen at the various salons, gems which were taken from their hiding places in private galleries or from far of museums. The renewed acquaintance of these mas terpieces will be d treat of treats.
 Although some weeks must eIapse be- fore the exhibition will be really ready for the public Paris is crowded with visitors. Many have come from the provinces, but still more from America and England. At every spot where people collect whose present business is to amuse themselves, one hears as much English spoken as French. The Salon is one of these places, and, contrary to the expectation of many, it's interest has not been extinguished by the exhibition on the Champ de Mars. While there is growing evidence of strong endeayor to paint truthfully and in accordance with close observation of nature, there is a marked decrease of that so-called reaiis- tic painting which burlesques nature and which caused the walls of the Salon to be decorated with so many hideouS pie lures for a course of years.
 The American artists do not make so strong a showing as usual. They, at least, have very evidently reserved their best works for the exposition and the ap- plause of their countrymen. F. A. Br1dg- man, perhaps your principal representa- tive, might better have sent nothing at all than his Governors Ball" but I predict that he will make people forget this disaster with his Pirate d'Amour" In general, Bridgman's pictures suffer as much from their surroundings in the salon as those of any artist there. It is