The morning call., 1891-09-20
Art-stained Glass.

The Mechanics Fair certainly teaches the
careful observer a great many lessons and
gives oppOrtul tiles for thought In no in
stance is this more noticeable than in the eX-
hibit of rt-stained glass made by Thomas G.
ButteTwo rth of 16 Polk street. He is to be
commended and congratulated for the
energy and enterprise which he has dis
played in placing before the public the finest
display of its kind that has ever been
placed on exhibition on the Pacific
Coast. The exhibit, besides being
artistic and novel, furnishes food for
thought, embodying as it does some of the
finest examples of art that could be con-
strpcted. Students tell us that the art Of
painting upon glass is among those that are
looked upon as lost. and in sense this s
true, but only in sense, as perhaps there
has been no age when greater advances in
beauty have been displayed than the present.
The beauty of the window and gIass1art as
shown in the celebrated catnedrals of
Europe is fast being duplicated in this
country, and it is hardly questionable that
they can be reproduced here with the same
degree of Xcellence.
Noticeable in this exhibit are the Cali
fornia window. the figure window of our
| Savior, presented TO the memory of p. l..
| Garden, pastor of the Presbyterian Church
of Red Bluff; grandma Their and child. or
IL tdht NdIc VI lulIs III DldCh anu Nuilc.
painted in vtriiable color. and the
! female figures of autumn. The autumn
| window represents the American idea of
stained glass, the effect of lines in drapery
having been obtained without the use of
| ceramic co'ors.
The Savior window is a reproduction Of
| the old European style of church-wind1w
| decoration, the design of which requires a
| special education in that class of work. Of
| the highest class of church work in all its
I d. l.
| a speciality. A beautiful gem OF the most
perfect art is that Of Shakespeare, with scenes
| from the "Tempest" on either side, the
original of viii Ii is in the British Museum
| in London. Then attention was drawn to
a figure Of Christ, hand-painted, that can
not be exceled whether as to drawing or
variety ateffect in color or harmony. But
| where the collection is so perfect and blends
| in artistic taste II is lnvidiouS to mention
| particular pieces.
In the course of an interview with the
courteous proprietor he was found to be
| fully alive to the interests of his busin ess
| and fully acquainted With the tastes OF ALL
| Mr.. ButterwUrth is gentleman built upon
| broad gauge, and his libeTality and bust
ness methods and enterprises have enabled
him to accomplish in few years what has
| taken others lifetime. He seeks the best
artistic talent that can be obtained. and in
| all things keeps abreast of the times.
Mr.. Butterworth has been awarded some
| of the largest contracts that have ever been
| let in this State for stained-slass decoration,
such as that for Major Frank McLaughlin
! of Santa Cruz, the Neustadter and Mont
gomery residences, the ST. James Church
and the magnificent work in the Baldwin
| Hotel. which Is a monument in itself to his
| artistic work and ability.
When decorating, if those who have wealth
accumulated in California, instead of going
| to Europe TO purchase, would only look about
them ami learn an object lesson from this
beautiful exhibit, they would place their
contracts in the hands Of this worthy ma
| tive son.