The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-20
THE ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBIT
An Artists Comments Prang's
Autographs of the Walters Vases.

10 the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal:
There was a fine audience at the exhibit
of arts and crafts last evening. There were
expressions of surprise upon ell sides at the
extent and variety of the exhibit. The
varied display of handiwork. the universal
merit Of the pieces displayed is indeed a
revelation to the average citizen. Here is
found carving that is as fine as can be
shown anywhere; fine embroidery that re-
veals highly artistic sense: light and filmy
laces that testify to the deftness of hand of
the artist. Indeed, one has revelation of
art from the strong, time-defying terra
Gotta to the daintiest of fabrics or most
artistic delineations in tile miniatures
etchings, engravings. All the product of
home art. Could the late Mr.. Heron have
seen the possibilities which this exhibit re-
veals he would rejoice that the accumula-
tons OF his lifetime were to be utilized for
the development of the more beautiful and
endearing side of our natures. One spot in
this exhibit where the lover Of the beauti-
full is won't to linger is the rooms con-
tanning the beautiful reproductions from old
Chinese vases in the Walters collection at
Baltimore. These marvellous color-prints
the product of Louis Prang, of Boston, rep
resent most perfectly the intrinsic and in
diNAuudt .ilSfll. Oh 6dcu plSCe. AS WOHkS VI
art these beautiful Autographs have stood
the test of the most expert Judgment of the
photographers of the entire world, as well
as the cOnnOisseurs in ceramics. Among
the many vases represented are fine speci-
mems of celestial blue, the bloom of the
plum and the famous bloom of the peach.
The finest piece of this rare porcelain is
arranged. by itself | herewith add my
description of this vase was published in my
book on the Walters collection: Among
this galaxy of gems is found the unrivaled
bloom of the peach. IL all the beautiful
thoughts. all the lovely hues. all the sweet
est Odors. all the dainty textures, and, In
fact. IL all the beauty of the art and nature
of the land of the Celestial were distilled
and refined into some material and shaped
into one object that might be the peach
bloom vase" II is the perfect Towering of
hundreds of years of Oriental art. the Gull
mination of centuries ef the most sacred
devotion to the shrine of beauty. 1t is q
gem that needs no setting. SO fragile. so
perfect. that contrast with things less
aesthetic seems almost sacrileRiouS. Its
form is pure, beautiful and self-poised; its
depth. The bloom of the peach conveys
only a shadowy description OF its delicate
beauty. Its glaze is of great perfection
when you gaze in it's depths. ard 1t is as If
of water. Its indescribable pink is
threaded with fine veins of messy green that
are charming. Its beauty cannot be meas
ured by bounds or Limitations. There are
no rules by which it can be snalyzed You
feel its power coming to you like the odor
of some unseen field of jasmine. Within
the limitation of its simple form there Is
embedded something which all the wealth
of the world cannot create. A spirit Is ex-
pressed in It that all the centuries of our
hoasted civilization cannot duplicate:
Indianapolis. April 49,