The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-10-24
The Art Gallery and State Buildings.

When they echo again and again
j. d. CLEATON.
The Art Gallery and State Buildings.
If there is any building at the fair that
,eope rave over it is the art gallery. Our
introduction to it was little peculiar, and
as it was rather a good joke on our party
/ will have TO tell it. 1t was only our sec
ond day at the fair when one IS supposed
to be green" We had entered the
grounds at an entirely new entrance and
one feels under those circumstances very
much as flock of partridges look when
they are first flushed" We did not know
where to turn; we had not provided ourselves
with maps or guide book, both indispensable.
Just before magnificent building,
and we turned towards it. Coming down
the steps we met Il man; he looked little
less green than We felt, so one of the party
put the question: What building is this"
The New York. came the reply. Enter
ing and looking over an arch we saw New
York in big letters, SO we thought we
were in one of the state buildings, but such
lovely pictures that were everywhere con
fused US, and as new beauties kept opening
TO our view one of the party turned TO me
and said: IF this is New York's exhibit,
what must the art gallery be?' Only
few moments however, elapsed before
We found we were among the grandest
display Of pictures in the world, and were
really il the mrch-talled of art gallery.
eve had only entered the New York depart
mentJ
Iaafe building is of immense sizc-dimen-
sion. 320x5O0 feet, with Vwo annCXeS, an
eastern and western of 12tlX2U0 feet. Ev-
cry available space is occupied, and it was
feared at an early day that the wall space
demanded by all the foreign
nations and the United States
would be insufficient. There are
fine art exhibits collected from every
part OF the civilized world paintings in oil,
paintings in water colors, paintings on
ivory, on enamel, metal, porcelain and
other wares; sculpture, figures in marble,
bronze, etc, etchings, prints chalk, fresco
On walls, and, indeed, art in every style.
spent two half days, at different times,
enjoying the beauties displayed on these
walls, and yet | have less to say about this
than any other display, for the reason that
AN not Il competent judge, and never pre-
tend to what l do not understand. know
what pieases me, but whether they were
the finest paintings or by the most cele-
br;tteli artists | cannot say. 1 only know
that | never again expect to see such gems
OF art and that | enjoyed them to the full
est extent. There was Il perfect model OF
the mousse OF l)dIildIutHI III IDCilIl III MAJ
be and the memorial church of the En-
peror William, but the most attractive
piece of statuary to me was that of Christ
and the woman taken in adultery. The
figure of Christ was very large and the
face perfect in its sweet and gentle ex-
preston. the long, flowing robes fell grace
fTlly around the figure, that stands in sub
lime majesty with one arm and hand eX-
tended, and the long. open sleeve almost
touching the hem of the garment. Crouch
ing at His side is the woman with her
face, which means a sad, startled expires
sion. almost hid in the folds OF the g4r-
ment; there is hunted look about the
kncelin- figure of the woman as she peers
from without the folds where she mas
taken refuge that almost causes you to
turn and look for her accusers, when you
remember there was not one Wt&.,t
sin" and SO they have left her. 1t is the
most beautiful a9ld realistic piece OF arr
work l have ever seen. am really sorry
! cannot imDart TO you some OF the pleas
ure I experienced III this buiidin&' nu' my
powers of description fail me when thl1lk
Of the pictures that SO ent1anced me
IS usual thing the state buildings are
disappointing and you wonder why they
We're put there at so great an expense ana
yet many of them have excellent Sfat" rA-
Iihits. only they appear rs nothing after
visiting the larger buildings, but they serve
rs a delightful resting place for their own
people and are always full. Every state
represented has a welcome for its residents,
and it is a rendezvous generally
| went into every state building on Jne
grounds and took few notes from an. L
think the New York building is the hand
soonest and most imposing. You can I'M
agne how beautiful it is when l tell you
it cost S1J0000. 1t is three stores hlgn.
One of the most beautiful features OF thlS
building is the columns OF native WOOD
supporting the roof. The woods are from
the Adirondack mountains Each pliar
consists of the trunks of three trees twisted
into d spiral column. One is composed OF
basam, black spruce and tamarack,
another of red white and black birch and
the third is made Of cherry, sugar maple
and yellow birch The effect Is very Inc.
The inside decorations are very
beautiful. The walls are hung with the
pictures of all the governors OF the states
and there are many specimens Ill painting,
sculpture on every side, besides valuable
historic relics. Every comfort and convent
ence is provided for visitors and 1t was
noticeable fact that by far the best class Of
people we met were IL the New YORK Duliu-
ing.
The Arkansas building was designed 10y
q woman, and it Is u great credit to her.
Tie flooring is of native woods, ana there
are many specimens OF onyx ana haIDle
that were used for decorating. The ladies
of hot Springs raised $1,000 for donating
fountain Of Hot Springs crystals III the TO
tunda. 1t mas Il basin ten feet Ill dame
ter, which is Illuminated by electricity.
| saw i'll this building something that
interested me very much from It's novelty.
1t WAS the celebrated Centennial butter
sculptrcSe Mrs Caroline Sharks Brooks
Under Il glass case was the head and bust
of Queen Isabella modelled in butter, and
Mrs Brooks was working on the bust q
Columbus. She had a large number OF
admirers around ana she worked with
great rapidity. After the model is finish
ed there is plaster cast taken and then
it is sculpturcd in marble. One would
never know it was butter without being
told.
could not hope to tell you all l saw