The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-02

as memorial to George w. Childs. |
Another of Miss Armstrong; most in
'teresting pieces of work is the central
chancel window in Trinity Church. New
port. Rhode Island.
The church is one of the oldest in this
country, and has preserved, in spite of
time and the modernizing spirit the
quaintness of its original design, and the
high oak pews that were in fashion
when it was built. Below the window
Is the inscription. Il ann the ReSurrec-
ton and the Life above standing
amidst clouds, is the figure Of Christ.
majestic, yet kindly, with hands out
stretched toward two angels kneelng
at his feet, their great wings encircling
him and meeting the interlacing pinions
of three small cheiubs over his head.
Among the notable windows which are
the joint work of Mr.. Maitland Arm
strong and his daughter are those i'll the
Gould Memorial Chapel, at Roxbury,
New York, and in the church erected
by Mr.. George Vanderbilt on his estate
Of Bitmore. Asheville, North Carolina.
Mrs. Kenyon Cox. who is we'll known
as an artist of strong decorative feeling,
was ut one time much interested in de-
signing for stained glass, and received
commission from the Tiffany Glass
Company for the Easter Angel of our il
lustration. Mrs. Cox's reputation, how
ever, is so entirely that of n painter in
oils, that this does not seem the place
to speak of her at any length.
Mrs. Ella Condie Lamb had rec0gni-
ton rs n rising painter of flowers and
portraits when, taking a more ambitious
STEP the real bent of her talents was
shown in the life-siZe decorative canvas,
"The Advent Angel" which secured the
Norman Dodge prize in 1889. This was
followed by a still larger composition Of
four figures, called THE Christ Child.
the mother in the centre holding the
Child at her knee. and adoring angels
grouping themselves on either side The
interest of the picture centres upon
the sweet figure of the little Child, who
looks out of the canvas with clear inno-
cent eyes. Mrs. Lambs work has a
decidedly pictorial quality, and these
pictures have had great popularity, hav-
ing been reproduced in magazines and
copied many times. so that any one who
is interested in art is sure to be familiar
with them ''The Christ Child has also
been executed in mosaic for the Conrad
memorial, st. Mary's Church, Wayne,
Pennsylvania. Mosaic which by its du
rability seems specially suitable for In
Memoriam" monuments, has but lately
been revived in Europe, and is of recent
introduction here. Mrs. Lamb was one
Of the first artists whose designs were
carried out in this way, and her decora
tons in St Johns Church, Detroit, was,
at the time, the largest mosaic done in
this country. In THE Angel of the Res
direction" Il large oil painting. the for
mality of the background of lilies, and
the architectural severity of the tomb
upon which the angel is resting, has
made it specially successful when repeat
ed in mosaic for the Baker memorial in
church at Selma, Ala.
Mrs. Lamb showed great promise in her
art student days, carrying off the gold
medal in the Academy of Design School
at the age of seventeen. She studied
for some years at the Art Students
League. and then had the interesting ex-
perience Of joining Herbert Herkomer's
school at Bushy. England, a picturesque
experiment in reyiving the old masters
ways of teaching. From there she went
to Paris. working with Courtois and
Collin. Mrs. Lamb is engaged this VIM
ter upon another large piece of work,
which undoubtedly will sustain and
strengthen her reputation as a painter
of church decorations.
Women are always in the majority in
every assembly Of worshippers. 1t is
the glad boast of our Christian history
hat womln was last at the crc.sS
and earliest at the tomb: that no wo-
mans hand was raised against our Lord
when He was on the earth: and that wo-
men delighted in ministering to Him as
He went up and down the hills of
Galilee and the streets of Jerusalem. A
woman anointed His head with precious
ointment; woman washed his feet with
her tears.
Still in these modern days women find
congenial themes in sacred subjects, and
delight to bring the altar of their faith
to the shrine of Emmanuel. 1t there
fore seems appropriate that so much Of
the decoration and symbolism which add
beauty and dignity to our churches should
have their offspring in the quick brain
and loving heart of the woman artist.
As a people we are growing constantly
more critical, and as our knowledge in
creases and our standards are raised
we demand more from our artists than
in former years. 1t is pleasant to note
with every year not only the advance of
the art feeling, but as greater breadth
III treatment. greater delicacy of touch.
greater felicity in colot1ng. ana more
skill in grouping and composition. in the
work of American artists. Whether or
not they study abroad the hest which
is in the old land is brought TO their
doors, and, as rule, the artist who
wishes to excel, i'll some way or other,
finds it possible to study across the water
in an art environment and atmosphere,
which we cannot have in our new coun-
try.
No more beautiful memorial can be
raised by affection in memory of those
who have passed ON to the majority than
IL beautiful window in a church or chap
ell. The ornate stone above the grave
is visited only now and then even by the
mourners themselves. The beautiful
window gives joy and gladncss. and
speaks of hope and faith to hundreds