New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-07
A DECORATIVE PANEL FOB THE ATB.
LETTC CLUE.

Tho NevYork Athletic Club, which has gained .
special reputation by Its admirable EXHIBITIONS o'
American art, Is fortunate In obtaining Significant
exampls OF American decorative talent for the new
summer clubhouse Travers Island. Mr. Thomas
b. Clarke has given commission for an important
decorative panel 20 Mr.. II. Siddons Mowhray, and
fortunately there has been opportunity Of seeing
the panel IN this city before its presentation TO tbs
club by Mr. Clarke The theme chosen by the artist
Is The Month OF Roses The dimensions OF tho
panel are eight feet In length and three In hesh!
It Is to be placed IN the hall Of the new clubhouse
above the fireplace. so far as we are aware the als
has not worked upon large scale before. ana hs
success Is another illustration OF the tact, facility
and good taste which several OF our younger artists
show In adapting themselves TO decorative work. Ar
Mowbray's academic paintings have accustomed us
TO his refined draughtsmsnship and appreciation OF
color. His themes have been fanciful rather thih
realistic distinction in itself in this day OF reahsm'
and his interpretations have had charm OF ther
own even II the forms have sometimes shown an e1-
cess OF polish and the coors q lack Of sympstheto
blending. II would be superfuous 10 dwell upon
the past work OF an artist VINO mas
earned place among our painters BY tho
nne quality Of an art refined rather than vigorous
perhaps but never devoid OF grace and science and
pictorial interest In the Athletic Club panel Mr.
Mowbray has given q frank, direct Interpretation OF
his theme lie shows four graceful maidens IN
loose soft Greek drsperles against background OF
rosa vines Two of tho figures Immediately pre-
cnted TO the observer, two, Withdrawn little, are
gathering roses on the left the composition Is
urnghened by PEDESTAL supporting large vase
which Is treated with discretion and not obtrtided.
In the cooring the artist has remained faithful to
his tacote scheme OF delicate shades Of rcd and green
The central figure facing tho observer wears a rOoe
OF positive reddish tones tho figure on the len APP
pcars in lines Of almost Grosvenor Gallery green
yellow, and the colOring Of the other costumes IS
naler and more indefinite. In fact, 10 might DO SAID
that the colorng throughout shows isss insstance
upon abrupt oppostOns than In some of the artists
easel pictures and In consequence there Is stronger
feeling Of susvity and harmony. SO far ~ &dtude
and expression are concerned Mr. Mowbray's figure,
furnish excuse for fault finding, and certain iacB
The panel to be placed eight ten feet above me
fOor and when in place It will be an appropriate 500
very beautiful part Of the clubs summer home
Mr.. Nowbray deserves credit for HIS work, and Hr'
Clarke's gift to the club may possibly set MEM
bcrs of other clubs thinking whether the steToyped
portrait is the inevitable pictorial gift to club
lhe idea that pictorial art should be q part Ok
house instead of playing tho role OF supegnuOus
furniture something eXtrinsic and often wholly oui
Of keeping has not yet been revived among Us, pu'
II Is time that Americans should appreciate tnS
genuine ability IN decorative art possessed by severn
Of our younger painters. Several OF them have 90
aud manual skin In the painting OF paIiets ana celnnss
for private houses, aud occasionally IN some puOho
work But these opportunities are insignificant com
pared with those which are not onerN, athouEh "
talent as many Of our own artists have frequency