The morning call., 1893-08-28

is an exposition to advance CALIFORNIA;
interests it should be shown what Califor-
MIA can do in this respect
At the Worlds Fair "A t Chicago the mar.
velous progress OF American art created a
general sensation among foreigners Here
t0iore 1t used to be said that America had
no original art, but this saying has been
once forever refuted as falacious. The
grand beauty OF the Chicago Fair nuild-
lngS and the magnificent plastic works
embellishng them have demonstrated
clearly that America possesses art entirely
SUI generis, uniting the solid value of
German art with the clever and bright
genius Of the French schools. while at the
same time different from either. English
sculpture has been far left behind, and it
was generally agreed even by English
visitors Of the fair that in England simi-
larry imposing effect could never have
been obtained. even by the combined
efforts of English sculptors, for even the
best odern English works of plastic art,
though correct and praisew0rlhy as re-
CARDS execution, suffer from that stiffness
and rigidity that distinguishes the English
character and lack Of all the freedom OF
conce tlon and ease of treatment which
characterZes American ulpture.
California Jared well in the general
praise oil the American statuary by for
elgners, and the plaster work in the Cali
f0rna building was greatly admired in
consequence OF the originality of its de-
sign and the cleverness of its execution.
Since most n1 this work is the product of
a true California artist, Rupert Schmid,
the praise was the more satisfactory, for
Mr.. Schmid is truly Californian, because
although having been born abroad, he ded-
icates his whole energy and talent to the
interests Of the people among whom he
lives.
1t is not astonishing, therefore, that ow
that ROlpU haVa n
International Exhibition, all eyes are di-
rected upon him. Among our scuptors
able to make the Midwnter Fair a success
he is facile princeps, and this is so fully
recognized by mis- own colleagues them
selves that they are all desirOus of seeing
the general plastic work of the fair done
under his guidance The same view is
held by our prominent itizens who are
encouraging art In general, and such men
as Mr.. Phelan. Irving NJ. Scott, Fred
Zeile. the president Of the San Francisco
Art Association, of which Schmid himself
to Rupert Schmid should be awarded the
task of supervising the execution of the
Staluary that Is to ornament our fair.
IheEplastic work required for an exhi-
0ltion is peculiar one, in so far as il de-
mands less fin ish in detail thar ii requires
grand designs, Impressive style and. in the
present case. above all, quick execution
Tor there is little time to be wasted. By
What he has accomplished in the past,
Rupert Schmid has proved that he exactly
possesses the qualities required. In the
Mllls building there is al present exhibited
a skeich OF statue Enthusiastically DEM
onstratlng his peculiar talent, and no
visitor who has seen it can fail to recog-
nlze the originality and appropriateness of
The design. 1t is a fine sym bolical con-
ception Of California in midwin ter, and.
lnough decidedly local subject is treated
ID the statue, ii Is a typical specimen of
modern art in general.
One of tn-day's illustrations in The
GALL represents one of the four groups
designed for the City Hall. and gives
a general idea Of Mr.. Schmid's compost
lions. Another one shows O statue in
tended for the decoration OF a public
fountain. Both are original and striking,
Dut. OF course, from rapid pencil sketch
no true dea OF their real worth can be
obtained, and a sit to Mr.. Schmd's
STUDIO alone can show The sculptOr's
talent to those who have not seen his
statues erected here and in other cities.
| rupert Schmid has also distinguished him.
sell In another branch of bis special art,
! namely, the execution OF strikingly life-like
poItralt-busts, but worked in so original
ana artistic style as TO attract at once
| attention quite aside from the subject
which they represent. One of tO-day's
| Illustrations in The CALL shows such
bust. that OF the well-known Cali
| fornian, E. 81. Miller. and two excel
lent specimens of the same kind are to be
seen In the hopkins Art In stitnte, namely.
land, while still others are in private resi-
dences of our wealthy citizens or In prog
/ ress of execution in tue sculptor's studio,