New-York tribune., 1901-11-19
ruE GRAIL PAINTINGS.
rrToN OF Mr. ABBEY'S DECoRA-
TIVE WORK FOR THE BOSTON
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
London. October 30

hee-.u nanels for the Boston Public Library
had seen in Mr.. Ahbey's spacious studio
-,-ford These pictures are now on the
n the GuiIdhaI Art Gallery with five
-rsr panels. which we're not then completed
-sn psnels with those already in their
:, the library make a series Of fifteen
F..,,e Illustrations in oil for single room;
the Grail legends mark the beginning of
- French and German literature in the
=, century the appropriateness Of the sub
4e aoparent The decorative effect Of
F.s naiuted 70 fit definite spaces IN a high
fns-v cannot be properly appreciated when
-, 7orks are hung on the walls like ordinary
-ee The balancing OF reds, whites and
.,ss cannot be adjusted in the strong light
| .bs large gallery Of the GuildhaIl, and the
| n.,.i,-e effect Of the series cannot be deter
- ,,ntl ali the panels are in their true rela-
| Nc and places. Each is looked at individually
-+.sx are now hung and is admired for draw
: .olor scheme or the interest Of the subject.
1s,,-ative art is exposed to a severe and un-
-.-sl test under conditions so adverse
ne five panels which We're finished six years
-. describe pictoria1ly the education Of the
- Calahad, his equipment a knight by
-,,reot and Bors his installation in the Seat
7,-lous OF the Arthurian Round Table. the de-
.-y-e Of the knights for the quest OF the Holy
...a and the failure Of the first great enter
--se p the castle. where. through overconh-
spce in his own knowledge. the Red knight
,csec1ed 70 ask a simple question Of faith and
- the Fisher King and the hollow eyed court
n their doom. IN the new series the Red knight
aiken back 10 the Grail Castle, where this
suure can be retrieved, and his adventures and
.,--oTs are illustrated with felicitous variety
*
rasthly Dansel and her two attendants, who
,vsrwhelrn him with reproaches for having neg
.cted 10 accomplish his mission These are
ne r1aidens under the castle spell. who are
o0kdng for the Virgin knight as rescuer. and
,ae Of them with hideous face rides white
-ule and holds in her hand the crowned head
4 q king. while another is close behind ike an
squire, and the third. dressed as boy, has
wourge for whipping up her companions. The
1sxt panel represents he fight between the Red
Knight and the Seven Deadly Sins, who have
s-prisone5 the Virtues q company OF Inaidens-
The Knights entry into the castle. where the
1sidens have long been expecting him, follows
his victory in this combat and forms the sub
isct Of the largest Of the new series OF panels.
These pictures were described in detail in an
earlier Tribune letter, 10 which have already
referred.
Among the work. on which Mr.. Abbey has
recently been employed is e small canvas rep
-ssenting the Meeting Of the Red knight with
nonk habited in gray. Il follows in strict
c-der the Combat with the Seven Sins and pre-
esdes the deIiverance OF the maidens. The
ruter portals have been passed and the be-
nignant monk with the benedlction offers 70 the
r.cror the keys Of the enchanted castle The
Knight with sword oo the ground, kneels 70 re-
oeve the blessing. It IS e simple but pleasing
picture with contrasts Of youth and age IN the
sert and bent figures. and with the same rev.
e-eat spirit in each face The vivid red Of the
Knight is toned down by chain arrnor into softer
tones and the monks white habit IN shadow is
& murky gray. Each figure IS adrniTe bly, drawn
4 companion piece represents the TzIdng Of Sir
esiahad from his bride, Blanchefueor. arrayed
"a white with pink flowers in her hands The
Red knight remembers the fate OF Lots wife
snd will not look back but as he seizes his shield
with one hand there is gesture OF mute fare
wei with the other toward the deserted BRIDE
The picture syu1bolizes the sacrifice Of earthly
love in the sacred quest to which the Spotess
Knight wss consecrated- The Fisher King OF
.he Grail Castle had taken UP arms in the cause
of unlawful passion and had been doomed 10
TIE PARALYSIS Of centuries. dying ceaselessly, yet
never released by the saving grace OF death
Els dsItverauce could be effected by knight
capable CT leaving behind him without single
xissfui glance the blushing bride in her radiant
beauty. and pressing strenuously onward in his
sacred mission
n the next panel the Red knight has re-
tusned TO the castle and delivered the F1sher
King from living death, after passing success
trry through the ordeal described in the nflh
picture already in its place in the FupIlc LII
s-s-y TIE king is cleansed from sin by the
tuach Of the stainless knight, and an angel Win
uplitted wings hovers over them TO guloe lhe
6eaverer 70 Sarras This Is upright panel
possibly designed for a badly lighted space Tor
ue figures are large, and white is the oorIlIhei-I
Glor. The next picture represents Slr 1alaild0
aing q white charger with red uapplnsS
through green fields and followed by grateIul
rsssnts. He is without arrnor. for the land
las been delivered from bondage, and as ne I'm
ms his standard with the red cross blessings
= showered upon him by old and young Inc
ar TWO panels illustrate the voyage 70 Sarras
solomon's boat with an angel in the pro"
a4ing the Grail. and the final consummation
the ecstatic vision. when long line OF
cselz. with uplifted wings. stands by TO wit
ass Sir Galahad's ineffabie Joy and peace
These two pictures were fully described when
ssT them in the spring A quaint view or the
ag e Sarras completes the series OF Grail
FIGURES
While the subtle relations OF value are sac
4need when the panels are hung low on the
Nalis Of this gallery. and when five Of the
p@nes are missing. the characteristic features
VI the decorative scheme are disclosed Mr.
Ae0ey is wonders worker in reds. and has
MADE this color the dominating note OF his
-O'ratlve plan The Red knight appears IN
panel except IN the mystical vista OF
iss' and even when the viyidness Of the hue
~olied and softened by the chain arrnor his
Alumines with splendid blaze Of color