New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-04
TO EMPLOY MURAL DECORATORS,
PLAN TO ADD TO THE ATTRAcTIvENEss OF
THE UNITED STATES BUILDING
PARIS

John B. Caldwell. Director OF Fine Arts OF the
United States Commission to the Paris Exposition
OF 1870. told a Tribune reporter yesterday that q
meeting will be held in this city in week or ten
days Of an Art Commission recently appointed by
Commissioner General Peck. with reference to en-
ploying the best American mural painters on the
interior decorations OF the United States Building
at the exposition The sum OF $1,000 or $4,000 will
be required for the purpose OF which the Commits
soner General guarantees $1,000. the balance TO bs
raised by subscription. It is proposed TO make this
work OF the mural painters the finest example Of
decorative art which the United States has pro-
duced In any exposition.
The members OF the Art Commission appointed
by Commissioner General Peck. who will have en-
tire charge of the mural decorations and artistic
treatment OF the interior OF the United States
Building are George b. Post. consulting architect
United States Commission TO the Paris Exposition:
Charles A Coolidge. OF Boston. architect United
states Commission 20 the Paris Exposition: John
b. Caldwell. Director OF Fine Arts: Charles F.
Mckim, member OF the Municipal Art Commission
of New-York; John La Fargo. president OF the
National Society OF Mural Painters and OF the So
ciety OF American Artists: Daniel c. French men,
Der OF the council OF the National Sculpture Society,"
Howard Russell Butler. president OF the American
Fine Arts Society: Charles L. Hutchinson, presi-
dent of the Art Institute OF Chicago; Henry Van
Brunt, of Kansas City Mo. president OF the Amer
lean Institute OF Architects: Hasey c. Ives dl-
Peabody president Of the Boston Chapter. Amer
lean Institute of Architects. and Henry Walters Of
Baltimore.
Mr. caldwell said the time for decorating the
United States Building very limited. but at the
coming meeting of the Art Commission some
scheme would be developed for undertaking the
work If IT found TO be feasible. and an effort
would be made once to raise the $4,000 or $1,000
required in addition to the appropriation OF $4,000
by Commissioner General Peck. II confidently
believed that enough patriotic citizens would be suf
fcienty interested In the development OF mural
decoration TO aid in raising such fund would
enable the United States be represented properly
In this branch OF the fine arts
The United States National Pavilion is on tho
Quay dOrsay, on the left bank OF the Seine, OF
the best locations at the exposition. The building
level The style of the exterior is classic. While
different In design from any OF the buildings at
the Chicago fair. the feeling there prevalent
has been kept and will be in marked contrast with
the present French buildings, which are not so
architectural in treatment The main entrance Is
under a large portico, which spans the esplanade.
other national buildings will he obliged TO pass. In
the centre OF the arch OF the portico. facing the
Seine. will be French's statue Of Washington, and
a bust of President Mckinley will occupy niche
over the door In the front of the building on the
river bank will be boat landing, which will be
highly ornamented as classic barge. All boats OF
the American Line connecting with the American
trolley system at Vincennes will make landing at
this pier.
with a large central dome and rotunda. which Will
be used as general meeting place OF Americans
during the exposition Three sides OF the rotunda
ond story will be given to the States, where people
who desire rest and register their names.
The third story will he reserved for the private
the fourth floor will be given TO the States and
used In n similar manner 10 the second.