The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-11-01
INTERESTING ART TALK.
Prof. j. H. Griggs Describes "a
Walk Through Florence" in a
Fascinating Manner.

Professor ]. II. Griggs, formerly Of
Leland Stanford University, now of
New York, delivered n lecture last
night, at the Green Ridge Presbyterian
church, which was one of the most
valuable and fascinating art talk ever
heard i'm this city.
Professor GriggS is a young man eX-
ceptionally favored in the way of per-
sonality a sympathetic sensitive
voice. and the choicest possible diction
He looks like a poet and speaks like
one. and it may be here stated, is a
poet. His description of "A Walk in
Florence" was something which will
cling fast in the memory of the cul-
tured and Intelligent listeners who
crowded the lecture room last night.
His subject was developed with the
distinct purpose of making his audi
ence see with him the inner, softly
veiled duality of sentiment which pre-
walls in Florence, the tic which unites
pagan art end beauty with the spirit
actuating Christian thought in middle
ages, and the arly Renaissance.
With the subtle touch of his elo-
quence he made the figure of Dante to
stand forth and again appear in the old
familiar places until it fltted far into
exile.
In the little poem La Vita Nova"
his own theory of Dante's translation
from the old life was tenGerly illustrat-
ed. Savonarola's grim. sorrowful eyes
seemed to glance out OF the night that
enthralled him and the rich art of the
| old masters to stretch in endless gall
leres before the gaze.
In describing briefly the city's chief
features, he began with the church. Of
Santa Maria Novello, incidently in
| Connection with this referring to st.
Francis of Assizi. as "the most perfect
| Christian since Christ" This church
contains the great inner history of art,
| beginning with Cimabue's Madonna,
| where first the struggle to express
beauty and grace as we'll as the relig-
ious idea began to he realized, on to
Andrea Arcagna's Last Judgment"
In the basement is a fresco of Grot-
| to's, which going beyond Cimabue's 9
| interpretations is not only graceful and
| lovely but true. Gherlandajo and Mas
| sacio are also represented in this
church.
The bantistry, which Dante called
| "My Beautiful st. John" was described
| in a charming way. This was follow ed
| by a word picture of the cathedral of
| Brunelschi so full of human associa-
| ton following with an exquisite de-
scription of Grotto's Tower. Luccee
| Della Robbia. and many artists so not
| ably represented in the San Marco
were mentioned together with a por-
| trayal of the PalazZo Vecchio.
Then followed the elimination of the
lecture, q swift glance through the
Ufizi and the Pitt palaces where
Botticelli Fra Angelica, Fra Lippn
are represented.
| An1rea Del Sarto claimed the chief
notice and the Interpretation of that
| marvellous mans character was q rev.
| clation to the audience.
| The relation of Florence and of An
drea Del Sarto to Browning in the
poets interpretations was prominent
ly mentioned and TIE thought that "A
mans reach must excel his grasp"
was emphasized at this point.
In closing the speaker said that Del
Sarto secret was the secret of Flor
| ence. He never quite attained his pos
| sibilities. Florence, who created a
Dante, and eXiled him; who called ur
a SavOnarola, and burned him at the
stake. who gave to the world a Mich
ael Angelo and embittcred his whole
life with her interpretation did moi
fulfill the promise Of her potentialities
| The lecture was secured through the
efforts of the Woman's club of Greer
Ridge. to which great credit is due fol
| the delightful entertainment.