Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-05-22
HER WEALTH OF ART
ItaIy's Superb Exhibit at the
Columbian Exposition.
FINE MARBLE AND M0sAlcs
Uasun Fava Win Orea The Exquisite
Ar 6ecstua That slow. HE
Counssy's Gcatus.

Italy Will he ready To ahow her beouu-
full exhibit In manufacturers building
20 invited guests on Tuesday % wsdpes-
day next. Iiaron Fsva. tho ltu11Gn
minister. will como from washingtna %
assist in this formal opening. Tho ex-
hibit viii bc open 70 the public on the
day following the feast to the especially
favored few. The public loses nothing
by waiting for the second table. except
ono day of the delightful influence of
the choicest works Of the sculptor's arr.
Italy may have had fancied reason
for grudge against this country
and delayed her decision on par
ticipating in the worlds fair. bat
there il no evidence II il in the dis
play she is about 10 uncover. Apparently
her choicest works AZ art and IL that
patient industry which characterize her
people have been sent Ia Chicago, and
they are certain to open the eyes of
those who have never been able 10 travel
abroad 10 u new world of beauty.
The mechanic. who sees perfection in
his machine. and the farmer. whose barn
ID a good enough picture for him." are
apt To quail little before marble
child. whosc soul shines through the JOY
or SORROW - perfectly and wonderfully
expressed in it's face. The person who
is not moved by the masterpieces shown.
expressing all the emotions and iliustra-
tive of all the occupations and customs
of life. is. himself. a statue of marble and
the picture the living soul.
Rich PtcCrx Of Marble.
The display Of marble statuary is the
most extensive II all the exhibits. and
will undoubtedly he the most popular.
The figures range from statuettcs to life
size and are especially rich IN bursts IL
children. whose faces afford the best
subjects for the expression Of genuine
emotion. One little girl carries a bird
in her hand. and perfect jov is dcIin-
eated: another holds dead bird. and
her sorrow takes a stronghold on the
sympathy Of the observer. who il. in
stinctivcly. prompted 10 wipe away the
tear which shines on her cheek. \
group of three children leaning against
the balcony rail of box at the
theater il an ideally perfect picture
Of happiness. There are figures with
drapery which the visitor wishes Ia
raise, better to study the features.
Among the expensive pieces IN Re
bccca at the Well. which was bought
by King Humbert for 5000. Ii stands
on pedestal of green antique marble
from Rome. which is very rare. and in
addition to the price of the statue.
about $500 A vase. Of white sienna
marble. about three feet high. il worth
nearly 1900. Ii is estimated that ONE
exhibitor alone q; marble statuary
shows articles worth more than S31Un
\ remarkable combination 81 two kinds
Of marble and bronze i'm the figure Of a
negro girl in shown. The head. arms
and feet are of bronze and the drapery
IL the two distinct marbles. all joined
SO deftly that they seem Ia have been
cut from the same piece. The puzzling
thing about il il how the marble dra-
perry could bc wrapped about bronze
shoulder without break.
Lace Worth - 600 n Yard.
Next To tho marbles in interest is the
exhibit of laces. A firm has constructed
room in the rear portion of the Italian
pavilion. which faces the visitor n he
enters the main portal in front. The
sign of the exhibitor and the exterior
ornamentation are both in rich lace.
Within il most lavish display Of trim
mings. curtains. table cloths and the
smaller products - lace manufacture.
All the grades 81 lace. ranging in value
from two cents to 81 600 yard. are on
exh ibition.
The cheaper laces are made with a
bobbin. the more expensive wholly with
"a needle: all art handwork. A yard of
the flOOO lace il said to have occup ic.i
the time IL one woman for three years
The lacemakers IL Venice are fairly born
into the trade. and spend their lives aud
die in IT, All the girlhood IL woman
must bc spent in an apprenticeship
before she il entrusted with the choicest
work. The laccmakers' wages are high
at forty "a sixty cents day. The firm
making the lace exhibit employs over
900 women.
\ pair ~ embroidered curtains. .draped
over an improvisei win,low. ARE said to
have a value ~ ESQ. \ piece - poly
chrome, having body of black with all
colors woven in il ia beautiful figures. is
one ~ the curious things 10 hc seen.
neausic- in Mood.
Lace is no, the oply test ~ the Ital
ian's patience. II is shown in his
elaborate and delicate wood carving and
in tho wonderful uosaics There are
many exhibits of furniture. mainly
ornamental pieces. made ~ ebony. inlail
with ivory in the most intricate figurcs.
IT. spite ~ the slow proeriss vs. Xfh mus;
b. ma1o With the vofk il is mol orpcn-
sive. hut IL is not likely - strike the
American fancy on account ~ i's elsbo-
rate and intricate workmanship.
Ar old wood carver from Venice has
brought over y novel idea m the cDIn-
hinatiou ~ two figures IN one. back To
back. which he sn places IN front Il a
mirror that the olsrrver secs two die
tine, figures Mcphistophcles AMI Mar
gueriie are hack 10 back IA o." same
block - wosri. but when they stand IN
front 20 a mirror which - set IN frame
work representing church nnd what
appears g. ie the open dofr the temp
ter seems 80 le standing IN Marguerite .
path rersusd.ng her not 20 enter the
holy place.
Denly MADE No~asss and Btic-s- -Rrsc.
IN other exhibits there arr specimens
( - glass meSaics, oriental sceue~ in epssl
I carving III. figures icing richly Orns
/ mented in gcid. bronze ard enamel. =
I hrunze .ias, q the king a Italy mafie in
Ntnicr IN l~-~i ornamental iron work Va