The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-28
SOME NOTABLE CONTENTS.
Description of Some of the Ar
Works by Mrs C. G.. Curran

Description of Some of the Art
Works by Mrs. G. C. Curran.
1t is somewhat in the nature of a par
auOX TO begin mention of paintings by
GAZING attention to something which is
not painting at all, but in spite of that
TACT we shall stop for a moment in the
nall of sculpture before proceeding to
the galleries of paintings our attention
caught by the name of John S. Sargent
In a place where we would least expect
10 ma 1t, writes Mrs. Charles c. Chr
ran In Modern Culture for June This
is not the first time that Mr. Sargent
mas surprised the art world We have
grown accustomed to seeing wonders in
portralture proceed from his brush.
though once a year or so he creates a
special stir by some exceptionally fine
piece OF work in that line but much
wonder was expressed when few wears
40 decoration for the Boston public
library. Anticipations of something,
mastery were not disappointed, and his
series of prophets are now widely
known through reproductions He has
peen largely occupied during the past
Two or three years with another decora-
t!on, also for the Boston library, this
time his subject being the redemDtion
OF man as expressed in the gospels,
The work is about completed and con
slsts of sculptured central group of
Shrlst and humanity, embodied in the
figures of Adam and Eve and on "a her
side paintings of disciples and angels.
Inc original piece of sculpture is tinted
to take Its place with the paintings in
the scheme of decoration, but cast of
1t in white is here in the hall Of sculn-
ture, and is sure to be viewed with
great interest by all who believe in Mr.,
Sargents power to achieve ANYTHING
which he undertakes to do
Another work Of art which has coma
from a London studio is Edwin A. Alb
bey's picture. '"Tke Penance of Flea nor
Duchess of Gloucester" which was one
OF the sensations of the Royal Academy
exhibition in London a year ago. Mr.
Abbey is one of the few painters who
can portray literary or historical SUBJ
1ect, and while keeping faithfully to the
sacrifice none of those artistic Qualities
winch go to the making of a beautiful
picture. The field of Shakespeare sI1b-
Ject which he has SO daringly chosen is
vast one, heretofore practically UNI
touched: but his success in black and
white illustration and of late years in Sc
rlous color compositions justifes his bold
ness In entering upon it. The scene
CHOSEN for this painting is the most dra-
matte one In the play of Henry VI
Part IL, where the beautiful and arts
tocrat1c Eleanor, fulfilling the penance
imposed upon her, for too great ambio
ton and reasonable acts against q
king by walking barefooted through the
streets of London, clad in a white sheet
ana CARRYING a candle in her hand,
meets her husband, the noble Duke
Humphrey, who, overwhelmed with his
agony Of grief and shame, has come to
the open square through which she
must pass. The composition of the mic
ture is strikingly original and effective
The Wh1te-robed figure of Eleanor oc-
cupies the center of the canvas. the ia /
ing drapery, the beautiful hair lying
loose upon her shoulders, and the curve
OF the neck as she casts her glance
backward toward her husband produce
lines full of poetry and charm. in snife
OF her penance and the hooting. ieering
crowd at the left, it is plain from the
expression of her face that her proud
spirit is not humbled AS her words I'M
ply, N'' III
Come you, my lord, to see my open
Now thou dost penance, too
the penance which her husband Is IN
dergolng. is infinitely greater than her
Interpretation of the mingled passions
winch appear in his face as he stands,
the foremost of a group of lords on the
right, peer1ng out from the cloak In
winch he sought to hide his misery at
seeing MS tenderly loved wife treadine
the cruel stones of the London streets
the laughing stock of the rabble
MT: ABBEY is most conscientious in all
the details of his art. 1t is said of him
that he spares no pains nor labor. and
will search all England and the con =
hent TO md a costume or type of face
Whlch ne requires. We turn to the read
ing OF our Shakespeare with a keener
ZeSt from contemplation of one of his
paintings: 1t is with great satisfaction
heard the news of the order which he
has received from King Edward VII to
paint the coronation scene in Wes+noin
ster abbey. '--- IA