New-York tribune., 1895-02-10

There can no little doubt as TO the success OF Mr.
Ab5ey's efforts. Visitors To Chicago in the summer
OF 1898 do not need 10 be told OF the beauty or MS
mural pantng there displayed II represented the
reception OF Sir Galahad at the court OF kng AT
thur. and it treated that splendid theme not only
with the originality and charm which have made
Mr. Abhevs Shakespearan illustrations so Valua-
bic not only with the antiquarian interest wheh
attaches to all his work. but with breadth ana
svvee, unexpccted from one whose mural expert
ments had been OF the fewest. Ii IL with perfect
confidence in their high character that the paintings
In the new library will be awaited In the mean
time it Is interesting TO hear OF the me'hods the
artist has employed in the prosecution of his work
lie received his commission from the trustees OF the
library five years ago and has been working on the
decorations ever since. For three or four years
more he will be occupied in finishing the sections
vet reouired At Fairforl. some distance from On
ford Mr. Abbey has enormous studio. big
enough 10 accommodate freely the biggest OF MS
naintings which Is something Ike thirty rect long
and eight feet high. Here he has toied ana toiled'
not only keeping scores of seamstresses at work on
rho manufacture of special costumes not only pos
ing whole groups OF models brought down specially
from London not only drenchng himself in the lit
.rature of his subject. but working over the treas
ure trove OF many flying trip to the Continent IN
search OF decorative motives He tells OF haVnS
found the capitals used for some pillars In sir
calabad's Vision of the Holy Grail in a little
stacles in the way of his copying the originals. but
finally succumbed the diplomatic advances or
Sir Frederick Leighton. whose aid our American
artist had invoked. Europe has been ranSacked
for the properties used in the pictures. for tapes
tries furniture and metal objects. for armor. dress
and weapons So earnest IL Mr.. Abbey IN MS search
for archaeological accuracy. or something that viii
approxima,e to IL in difficult hed as that Of
fered by the Arthuran legend. that he has caused
models 10 bc made OF many architectural passages
I'm his designs and before laying brush 10 canvas,
I'm fact he has striven realize the pageant or MS
theme within the actual walls Of his studio.
The series OF pictures begins with scene depict
ing "C;aahad as Baby Brought by the Nuns 10
the Angel OF the Holy Grail The next picture u
of The Knghting OF Calahad by Lance!ot an,
then comes ''Slr Galahad Brought to the Court OF
King Arthur BY Joseph Of Armathea Further IN
The series IL treated The Benediction OF tnsl
Knights Who Go Forth Oh the Sacred quest m anI
al the last in the group thus far compieieu. @ tnr,I
s shown .'Sir Galahad at the Renally SieePpqun,u
| castlo Grail OF the Fisher King Amfortas.' II Is
no small event thai is accomplished IN me paidt'nt @
| Of these decorations and their forthcoming com,'
panions not only by Mr.. Abbey but by other h e IL,
nenf artists In different rooms OF tne car,an,
.herc arc 10 be decorations by Wnistisr, Har
anJ puvis de ChaVannes. When all these WI, WI "a y,
are in Mace and all the sculpture To DE piorInv'
b. \ir 81 Gaudens and his brother MI. MaS''o .h.
Mos Mr. French and Mr. Martny Is nhlshsu, .r .i,e
nroa, bmilling on Copley square itsel q .naa.o
bece Of architecture. will rank with the
/ of he world.