The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-03
In the Woods Building.

fortune may Keep him with us after all.
Mr.. Bannister is so painstaking in his
work, and spends so much time upon
picture, that the number painted in a year
would probably not exceed %, and many
of these are sold before they are finished.
He is working on nothing new at present,
but the sketch, which is here reproduced,
is one of his studies in composition for a
proposed picture.
Mr.. Smyth is busily preparing for his
exhibition, TO open with the usual recep-
tion on next Wednesday evening. We
have learned to look each year for some
advance in his work, and, in the pictures
to be shown it is very noticeable that
something has been acquired since his
exhibition of year ago. Mr.. Scott A.
Smith has promised something for The
Studio for next week, and may tell just
what 1t is.
Mr.. Smyth has made one mistake in
marking his picture too low. Foolishly
low some of them are. But he has found
that, while he has sold larger number
this winter the prices have not been so
good, and has made up his catalogue ac-
cordingly.
Although Mr.. Arnold is not painting
the Mayors portrait, he is not "unem-
since, and others are promised. He did
want to paint Mr.. Olney, some three or
four did likewise is not as disappoint-
ed as his friends are. One thing has dis
turbed Mr.. Arnold, though, and that Is
the impression that he "bid" and "bar-
gained' for the portrait. He was asked
what his price would be, and wrote that
it would be $500. Mr.. vose's suggestion
to the COMMITTEES that it be given to him
at 1916 was made without his knowledge,
and he would not have taken the COM
mission at that price.
Revival Of a Lost Art.
The master builders OF the middle ages
in accord with developing religious feel
ing gradually drew away from the Roman-
basilica form of churches, In which there
existed ample wall spaces for paintings,
and developed the gothic. They then
transferred" the frescoes of the basilica
to the windows Of the gothic. But when
doing this there was q consistent
adherence, by the use of strong lines, to
feeling in exact accord with gothic lines,
or movements then, too, their colors were
in low pure tones. Gradually there came
debasement of true gothic expression
and then stained glass windows became
not part but apart in their character
the strong lines were lost and strong
color came in.
In this present "nineteenth century re-
vival of art" stained glass has gone on a
mission of its own, and through its express
sion OF forced feeling for the utterly
artistic Cat times gorgeously fantastic,
particularly in church windows) the lay
mind has become palled, and the reverent
mine has recoiled.
A reaction has come in and expressed
itself in an almost utter overthrow of this
modern art error.
The possibility of adapting the old idea
to new requirements has come through
the inventions of the Metallic Setting
Company of this city, in cutting out
| lines in hard metal, which. dignity by ac-
| cord with architectural effects. It's
recent success in the whole glass settings
of the new Abbey Theater in New York
and the new Keith's Opera House in Bos-
ton signify the reality of the new move
ment-- return to dignity Of expression
| in according lines and quiet harmonious
effects in eeiers. f. ~ SCOTT A. SMITH.
An Art Comp,ission.
II is hardly necessary to bring forward
| evidence that the time has come when
every American city should nc protected
| by an Art Commission. Bos-
| ton has one, and has bene-
| flied thereby. Providence has given
| TO the cities Of the country her popular
system of midpieht lunch-carts, and
| should have no besitancy in now and
then borrowing an idea from her muni-
clpal sisters. ~
| The suggestion is submitted without
| argument. But in The Studio we are
ever ready TO discuss the pros and cons,
/ and will be glad to hear from any OF
those who may have an interest in the
matter.
| Some Notes.
Mr.. w. Granville Hastings has been i'm
vited to show his model for the statue Of
| General Greene at the dinner of the II. l.
Society of the Sons OF American Revolu-
tion on Washington's Birthday.
| Z =
The paper read before tho ladies OF the
| Art Club, Thursday afternoon, was by
Mrs. william II. Thurber, "Art EXPIRES.
sion Among the Mcxicans."
: :
The new executive committee OF the
club lis succeeding well in its efforts TO
4 make the FOOfnb iuOft httTuCllNt loT tut
| members and, among other things, has
added number OF art journals 20 its
table. There is certainly no cosicr corner
for an hours chat than by the open Are
OF the smoking room.
I :
The club exhibition, opening on tho
| -, promises TO be most interesting one.
| The pictures will be By American artists,
I outyfdc Uf fruvidruce, wittr- am especially
good showing of Mr.. Inness' work. Those
members who value the club more for its
social side and those whose only wish is 70
see good pictures In the gallery will be
equally pleased.
! :
Our belated cut shows the row Of corbels
along the front ofthe Flour-de- -lys, carved
by Messrs. Burleigbs stetson and AID
rich.