The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-01-23


EThIs article wss prepared By Mss
Bee y. Sweeney Ri the Wonaan's
Edition but was among the many
that were too late for that unhlica:
tion.]
The Renaissance OF Modern Art has
been Of such recent occurrence that it
seems hard to realize the infant Of
near-by-yestertiay should be tu-tias 4
giant Of srang heals ana many hands
Teaching out IN all directions TO lay
SOME touch OF refining beauty on the
most ordinary surroundings OF every
day life,
DIR Centennial Exposition Of 1876
gave an impetus to decorative art in
many channels that now bears fruit
in the ornate aud tasteful designs OF
even tie hnmbiest cottages which, by
the influence of art become s.things
of beauty with little more cost than
the square, box-like structure of pre-
ceding years.
Furniture carpets wall paper il
both material and design, have come
under this spell, and we rest in chairs
and on couches, more beautiful, and
certainly more comfortable, than the
haircloth covered seats of our ances-
tors.
Even the advertisements Of the day
speak clearly Of the infiuenes af arb
tho the present fashionable fad OF
so-called cart Posters" might convey
a contrary impression), while the inl-
proved methods Of engraving by the
aid OF photography make our maya
zines and illustrated papers gems of
art and cheap enough to be.within the
reach of all.
AS a nation we may point with pride
to at least one creditable monument
of Modern Art, the Congressional Ii.
brary at Washington. The exterior
is attractive for It's chaste and simple
beauty, and the magnificent interior
decorations are without parallel in
this country-perhaps in the world
The decorations Of ceiling, walls and
floors are all triumphs In painting and
mosaic work, and the grand staircase
Of white. marble Il Itiost BEAUTIFULLY
carved In the leaves, flowers and fruits
of our own land. Among the most
beautiful mural paintings are those by
Walter McEwen and Chas. Sprague
Pearcc. The former has contributed
nine lunettes, treating In the most
original manner of scenes In the lives
of the Greek heroes, Hercules Achilles,
Theseus, Prometheus, Perseus, Orphe-
us, Bellerophan, Jason and Paris.
Mr.. Pearce has taken Labor; Rest;
Study; Recreation and Religion as
themes for the small lunettes, and
The Family for the large panel at the
east end. He has also two large
winged figures for the space over the
window at the opposite end OF the
corridor.
In representing these subjects the
artist depicts man III his primitive
state, as In Religion he pictures man
clothed In skins, and woman In some
coarse, heavy material, kneeling before
rude stone altar.
1t would have seemed incredible d
few years ago, that Pittsburg should
be the centre OF art Interest FOR the
fall OF 1896, but the wonder has come
to pass owing to the fine collection OF
paintings exhibited in Carnegie Lii
brary.
Among the most distinguished ar
fists whose work was represented were
Chase, Whistler, Vedder, Brush, Nc
Even, Alma, Ladema, Watts, Burne-
Jones, Gerome and Purvis de Cha
vBnnesi
Among the recent losses by death
none viii be greater in the world OF
art than that Of the Anglo French.
man George DuMatirier. Like Thack-
cray he was an artist as well as nov
elist, and his clever cartoons were well
known on both sides of the Atlantic,
long before his name became so widely
heralded by his famous Trilby.