The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-12-12
Art work BY Frederick pielman.

Royal Cortissoz has been discussing in
Harpers Weekly painting and Sculpture in
the Congressional Library" In the last is
sue, December 3, the eth article, he discusses
two works of art by Mr.. Frederick Dielman,
the well-known artist of New York, and
formerly Of New Windsor. Two handsomely
executed illustrations accompany the article.
The decorations are two PANELS, which Royal
Cortissoz says are neither sculptures nor
paintings in the strictest sense. He continues:
''They are mosaics. But they possess
obviously the character of pictorial art, and in
their position they fulfil practically the same
mission as that of painting upon canvas
They have color; they have atmosphere.
They have, too, to go straight to the point
merits which quite justify the employment of
medium not often used for the same purpose
in America. Pictorial mosaic is an old story
in Italy; and in Venice particularly, where
these panels were executed, the art of putting
really elaborate motive into such enduring
form is to this day carried TO high degree of
finish. Travellers will recall the modern
panels introduced in the facade of San Marco,
and possibly many who have studied those
mosaics, as well as the examples in the facade
of the Florentine Duomo, have wondered why
the same decorative expedient was not used
more by American architects. To put a
famous painting into mosaic, as has been done
by the Vatican workmen for the affairs of ST.
Peters, is, on the whole, doubtful thing to
do, but when design is deliberately made
for the mosaic worker, its details being rightly
adapted to the facts of his material, good
result is bound to be secured.
Mr. Dielman confirms this last assumption,
and he even improves upon the work of those
painters in Italy, Barab;no and others, who
have been most conspicuous for their decora-
tive achievements. He has not anplified their
idea, which is. indeed. as old as antiquity,
but he has escaped the spectacular element
and the over-crowded style, as of an art trying
to do too much, which somehow diminish the
legitimate value of such panels as may be en-
countered every here and there from Venice
to Naples. He has made his compositions
simple and massive. They would look well
on canvass. They lose nothing by being exc
cuted on plan permitting far less subtlety.
In fact, there have been no compositions by
Mr. Dielman on any scale or in any form
which have been more satisfactory than these
dignifed works, destined to go over the man.
tells in one oft the Congressional reading rooms.
Both panels are admirably poised, admirably
proportioned. Law is enthroned in the
first decoration upon a dais that is itself a
happy idea, striking aptly the architectural
note of the whole scheme, and the imposing
inquire DlnuS lORctucI tho groups MhiSh SOh-
tinue this structural feeling. Industry"
"Peace," and Truth ON the one side,
"Fraud," ''Discord, F." and violence" on the
other, are Enthusiastically contrasted in all that
their personalities can symbolic; but as
factors in decorative whole they balance one
another beautifully. There is no monotony
in this balance, either. The differences in the
attitudes are slight enough to leave the equi-
librium of the composition undisturbed, yet
the seven figures are artlessly placed, and the
mosaic has the proper animation, the proper
vitality.
The panel dedicated to History is less
animated, perhaps but it is no less successful
in its grouping; and here again the central
figure is shown against background which
could not have been more ingeniously, more
effectively contrived. The throne, with its
heavy inscribed arms and two curving ex-
tensions, finds happy elimination in the
pillars and pediment of the distant Parthenon,
and the graceful Muse who stands erect at
this point possesses a carriage and demeanor
which are in accord with their noble setting.
mythology and Tradition, the latter ac-
companied by youth in whom the artist aims
to suggest "a possible future singer or poet,"
are seated with naturalness of pose and ges
ture which makes this, like the companion
panel, seem thoroughly spontaneous produc-
ton. Altogether, Mr.. Dielman has accom-
plished with tact and skill a task which was
not easy"