The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-07
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A decorative painting by Edwin II. Blask-
heid with the subject Of "Iron' was placed last
spring In q ~lunette; 1920 feet, in the ncw build
ing Of the Bank OF Pittsbure ut PittsburC.
Pa, and the companion picture OF the same
sire has j'st come out Of the Custom House and
IL on exhibition at the Am rican Art Galleries.
@ East Twcnty-third street. 1t is the work Of
the weli-known American artist. Francis u.
Millet, and was painted at his studio in Broad.
way. England. The subject is "Thesmophoria,"
the ancient festival held by the Athenian
women in honor OF Ceres, and the composition
depicts the procession passing through the fields
on its way TO the temple. The two ~luneites
thu symbollze in n general way manufactures
and agriculture, and are appropriate to their
emplacement, the bank which draws its treasure
from the two sources OF wealth. The Bank OF
Pittsburg was built by George b. Post. one OF
the nrst Of our architects TO promote the custom
in this country OF placing mural pictures in
both public and private buildings, and one Of
the FIRST also to secure commissions for such
decoration for American artists- The propriety
OF decorating q bank building has been ques-
toned in some quarters, but the arguments
against Il are not very good. II the de-
positors are willing TO see money spent
on costly marbles and huge sheets of
plate glass, why not on artistic decoration ]
II is appropriate II It is not out Of character
with its surroundings and the purposes for
which the building is used. Reduced TO its
lowest terms the argument would compel the
use OF nothing but plain wooden counters and
windows glazed with pancs OF six by eight An
argument OF moro force, for us al least, would
be that It is to be regretted that the two fine
works are to adorn n bank in Pittsburg and
grow dingy with time and soot, instead Of being
in some place here. They would do us honor.
Mr.. Millet's composition includes sixteen ng-
urea. At the left at the head OF the procession
are three children carrying symbols Of Bacchus.
Then come three maidens forming q group Just
before the central figure. who walks alone and
bearH q torch. This figure Is a portrait, deco
ratively treated. Of Mrs. De Navarro miss airy
Anderson Next in line are Eve maidens in
two groups, while another figure out Of the line
stopping to tie her sandal. two men, of whom
one blows on pipes and the other carries O sheaf
of wheat, and a splendid white bull, whose
horns and neck are wreathed with
roses, led by 4 graceful woman walk
ing at his side, bring up the rear. The
march Of the figures IL slow. 30 that while mo-
ton is suggested. there is a sufficient sense Of
repose to keep the figures in place, not suggest
ing the thought that they will walk out Of the
canvas. The women and children are all clad in
white. and the classic draperies 30 well under
stood by the artist as well as Boldini under
stands chi6ons Of the present day. are rendered
with scholarly exactness and simple artistic
effect. The heads Of the maidens are crowned
with garlRn6s Of flowers. and In their hands
they carry palm and laurel branches,
sheaves Of wheat, and baskets OF fowers-
The white draperies are suave and t eDder in
color. and a charming note 10 introduced in the
composition By q pale yellow veil worn BY the
central figure. The white masses form the
chief element in the color scheme. which in.
Ind uyrnr -AnN- IN q - ha~l - ~.
wheat stretching from one end to the other Of
the picture. and olive and subdued lilac tintS in
the Landscape background. Beyond the field Of
grain there are fr and cypress trees with their
graceful forms in silhouette against bills which
rise to the horizon. A temple crowns one Of the
heights. and 4 quiet sky fills the top of the arch
OF the picture.
The heads OF the women are excellent In
type, the groups are cleverly arranged. and the
effect Of the work as q whole is unified and
simple. Besides the artistic merits Of the
picture. spectators will find interest In the fact
that, with the exception OF the two male figures
for which models were used, the heads are all
portraits The children are two little sons Of
the artist, and Miss Brewtnall. The three
women in the first group are Mrs. Phil May
twife Of the artist on Punch. Miss Fairfax,
and Miss Dixon. The Eve to the right OF the
central figure are Miss Polly and Miss Dorothy
barnard. who, as children, were painted In Sar-
gents celebrated picture, -Carnation Lily, Lily
Rose" Miss Maud Cafin. Lady Elcho. and Mrs.
Alma-Tadema The charming STOPPING figure
is Mrs. Millet, and the last is Lady Bloomfield.
~ma-Tad painted the wreath of blue
flowers on his wife's beautiful Titan red hair,
and Alfred Parsons paid q similar tribute TO the
artist by painting the crown Of red peoples on
the head OF Mrs Millet
The managers of the American Art Galleries.
where the exhibition OF Mr.. Millet's picture 10
held. have ready a number Of proofs Of the H.
Illustrations for the catalogue de luxe Of the w.
II. Stewart collection, which is to be sold by
them at auction in February. They are photo
Eravures made after the most approved modern
methods by Elson s. Co. OF Boston. They are
excellent in color, not actual tints, Of
course. but in rendering Of color sentiment.
and very good in valuea. There will be
l2s Illustrations in the catalogue, as every
picture In the collection 10 TO be reproduced
and each will occupy a full page. The mouutA,
ll1l4l3 inches, are of India paper. the plates
themselves, about 6xl0 inches. varying In one
dimension with the shapes OF the canyases.
The text, made M OF descriptions OF the pic
lures. biographical notes OF the artistic, an
article on Fortuny. and other matter, will be
printed on handmade paper specially manufac-
tured for the purpose BY an American nrm.