New-York tribune., 1902-10-30
ART NOTES.
NEW MURAL DECORATION BY MR.
BLAsHFIELD - MASTERPIECES OF
ETCHING AND ENGRAVING
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.


For few days Mr.. Edwin H. Blashheid has
shown TO his friends at the Fine Arts Building
a decoration he has just completed for the new
courthouse al Baltimore. il goes at once 10
that city 20 be put In place. Though no public
exhibition OF the work has been possible. we
cannot forego the opportunity to pay 10 this
latest production Of one Of our best mural
nainters the warm tribute II deserves. II is
interesting in itself and for those who are IA
niliar with Mr. Biashfeld's art IL has the added
significance Of Illustrating a remarkable ad-
vance The subject is drawn from American
history-"Washington Resigning His Commls-
sion as General in Chief Obviously here was
n chance 10 do what are always asking the
American decorator TO do. TO get away from
mythology. that is. after all. rather incongruous
IN this day and generation. and from symbolism
that is worn out. Obviously. too, here was q
chance 20 paint another historical illustration
such as we find constantly in the magazines.
Mr. Blashfeld with the tact and high artistic
feeling 10 be expected OF him. has Improved
the first OF these and neglected the other, with
the result that he has given us one OF the finest
wall paintings American art has thus far put
forth.
His composition is divided into three parts.
the two panels which flank the central motive
be,ng separated therefrom by painted pilasters.
emphasizing A. as actual architectural in
,err,,nrion might have done. Columbia. noble
sppre in white draperies with gold breastplate
and laurelled cap Of red. IS enthroned in the ex-
net centre Of the scheme. At her left mana
washington stands in boots. white breeches ana
long blue military coat. His attitude, one or
reverent but ma jestic approach, is entlreiy
natural and easy. Behind him stands Prosper
itv with her horn Of plenty Her robes are
mink Commerce Is there, too in red and green
varv4and a stately. dark haired woman, IN
black and gold brocade. faces Washington IN
the group Al this side red clothed Var stands
sbeatbinr her sword while a figure typifyinG
Resistance 10 Oppression breaks her rod. The
Muse Of History is seated at their feet grace
4,,l deure in rosy garments. In each Of the
asnline panels stalwart figures are grouped
benestb the ample folds Of flags In neither or
these subsidiary sections has the artist at
tempted any special portrsiture Of individuals
He represents. instead, officers Of the different
arms. cavalry. infantry. artillery. and SO torth
with q red robed representative Of the Law IN
each panel and with figures Of children and
older spectators lending variety TO the ensem-
ble At either end Of the long composition
file Of soldiers is hiuted al rather than fully
indicated their bayonets rising though 10
inclose the scene.
The painting is 10 be placed some ten feet
above the level Of the floor in spacious cham
her sheathed in white marble, and with cell
ing OF neutral tint conventional border.
the key Of which has not Yet been concluslNely
fixed viii come between the painting and It's
surroundings Natural and artificial light IN
abundance will combine with the marble TO
bring out in great vividness Mr.. Blashheld's
color scheme. This has much white in II. but
II Is rich in brilliant reds in the costumes and
IN rhe hags. A delicate blue sky, suffused at the
top bv Gull rose. fills the background. The hrst
tmpression received from the work as Whoie
IS that IL is clear and brilliant In color. WITHOUT
being violent or hard and that, in fact, MI
Flashfeld has achieved something at once more
powerful and more pure and delicate than any
thing he has hitherto placed TO his credit After
closer scrutiny one discerns also the fusion OF
all the parts OF the design into felicitous unit
without loss of spontaneity or variety. There
are single figures In the canvas, admirable il
themselves but they are more admirable II
their adjustment 70 the composition as whole
We highly appreciate moreover. the thoroughly
vyorkmanike character OF this painting. II is
full OF that authority. that technical facility
and strength. which are more characteristic Of
Paris than OF NeW-York. We regret that pub
lie exhibition Of this work has not been possible
here, and we suppose we ought TO regret that
n the canvas is 10 find its permanent home else
y II is going TO Baltimore. and that for The same
courthouse another competent artist Nr Sim
mons is preparing important painting This
rs one sign that the artistic movement is spread
ing that our best men are slowly but steadily
creating all over the country centres of artistic
inspiration.
The exhibition o. rare prints which has been
opened al the WunderIich Gallery is composed
Of masterpieces by four men, ~rer and Rem
brandt. Haden and Whistler The compositions
representing them are practically all familiar.
but the particular impressions shown are OF
peculiar rarity and brilliance. Thus the Mel
Anchols" OF Durer perhaps the best known Of
al the masters plates is shown in a print Of
such exquisite clarity that il has the fascna-
ron OF new thing. The Rembrandts are even
more remarkable. The superb impression of
the Jan Sylyius" has irresistiby moved the
cataloguer out OF his accustomed reticence and
he calls Il. in note. probably the finest IN ex-
istence" but there Is much else here 70 justify
equal enthusiasm. The copy OF Christ Heal
ing the Sick" is one OF the most glorious pieces
OF printing we have ever seen in any collection
Of etchings a miracle OF tonality. Incompatible
for depth and subtle charm OF color. even
among Rembrandt's painted triumphs. The
impression Of the Christ Crucihed Between
Two Thieves" in which the lurid elements Of