New-York tribune., 1901-05-19

in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries is The
history of the Renaissance itself, since among
the finest productions of that period are the
doors of the Baptistery at Florence by Ghiberti
the bass-reliefs by members of the Della Robbia
family at Pistoja. Rubens's Triumphal Arch at
Antwerp and the celebrated facades Of the
Grande Place in Brussels. 1t is now more than
two centuries since these spendid traditions OF
art fell into decay. To revive them is the pUr-
pose of the Belgian Public Art Society.
The achievements of the society remark
able considering its short existence. and to-day
the tourist in Brussels may feast his eyes
many beautiful modern artistic facades not
only in the principal thoroughfares. but in many
side streets of the capital. These artistic crea-
tions. which for the part adorn the
houses of shopkeepers. have been executed by
leading artists. who have carried varied
conceptions in their work. The front of large
dyeinS establishment. for instance. is decorated
with mural paintings representing typical
scenes in the dyeng trade. and that of a fash
ionable jeweIler is ornamented by figure rep
resenting the Goddess of Wealth These ia
cades are the principal innovations due to the
initiative of the society. but the scope of the
work undertaken comprises. besides. artistic
public fountains, slabs for street names. eiec-
trio waiting rooms. newspaper stalls. cleo
tric poles and clocks advertising signs and
posters. telephone boxes and. in fact. every
thing connected with objects of public useful
ness.
The society has proceeded the basis OF
public competitions in the different branches
OF its work, with prizes awarded for the best
original designs and suggestions. These COM
petitions have. in every case, been successful
BY uniting the efforts of artists given pro-
gramme of subjects the best talent has been
brought forward. Conducted on strictly demo-
cratic principles. these competitions open
10 any artist The society has been able TO
achieve its purpose largely owing to the back
ing received from the Town Councils of Brus-
sells Antwerp, Cshent. Bruges and small towns,
which have granted subsidies to be awarded in
money prizes 10 the artists sending in the most
deserving designs for public art. The results
of this broad undertaking not only the fa-
Cades already referred to, but artistic shop
signs. some of them almost gems. in wrought
iron. carved wood and porcelain Instead OF
the hideous electric car line poles so common
in other countries. the graceful creations of the
iron founders art are TO be seen Electric
clocks in attractive frames appeal strongly to
those possessed of artistic sensiblities. The
crusade in favor of artistic posters. which has
developed SO rapidly in the last few years alike
in Europe and the United States. started in
Belgium. and nowhere does such
variety of artistic advertisements in Brus-
sells and the Flemish provinces. The Flemish
are by nature an extremely artistic people. and
ii needed only the initiative of the Municipal
Art Society to awaken their inborn love of art
one branch. and certainly not the least i'm
portant of the Belgian Public Art society's
work has been the restoration of the great
town halls of Belgium more especially those OF