Evening star., 1902-08-02

timent the carvings and sculpture. which
were by the masters of the early renais-
ssnce, were mostly destroyed in the fall
Prof. Wagner, the city architect OF Ven
ice, attributes the calamity to a deteriora-
ton Of the subsoil. which produced a rot
ting away of the piles and pillars. and finds
in II a gloomy prophecy OF the doom Of the
other historic edifices In Venice. Learned
men are, however, sometimes mistaken.
and it is earnestly to be hoped that this is
one of those times.
The subject OF a national art school or
university is again being agitated the
scheme for the founding Of such an insti-
tuition being one OF the principle topics dis
cussed at the recent conventici OF the
Architectural League OF America That a
university modelled after the Ecoles de
BeauN Arts would be most desirable was
unanimously agreed but no definite conclu-
sion was reached as to ways and means
There seems. indeed, to be some almost in
surmountable difficulties In the way OF the
realization Of the plan. foremost OF which
is the determination of its projectors that
while the school shall be A national instftu-
tion. II at the same time must be entirely
Tree from political partisanism and its man.
agement altogether under the control OF
artists Possibly an era may dawn some
day when such Ctopian plan will become
feasible but it is doubtful If IL be near at
hand.
professor in the law department Of Co.
! lumbia University. Mr.. John w. Burgess,
| has established with Charles A. Lopez as
| instructor. a summer school OF sculpture at
Montpelier. VT. for the benefit OF the stone
| cutters and carvers in the famous quar-
| ba hos
| have been foreigners and 1t is Mr. Burgess
! intention that the American workmen shall
! have the opportunity Of gaining sufficient
| skill through instruction to more than COM
! pete with them in the future. The classes
| are from to 10 in the evening so that all
r, may attend who desire without losing time
| from their work, and already some of the
| men have produced excellent results show
| ing rapid Improvement
| x
| The frontispiece of the August Harper's
is one of a series Of four illustrations
| drawn by George Gibbs for a story by Net
| ia Syrett entitled "A Revelation IN Area
dia." They are all highly colored and as
| examples Of this latest fad in this branch
| of art probably specially interesting and
| successful. but from the draftsman's stand
| point they are decidedly inferior To much
of Mr.. Gibbs previous work
| The Volunteer Of 81" a spirited figure
by Mrs. Kitson. formerly Miss Rugglos Of
| this city, which has been erected on At
Crimson commons, Newburyport. as a mon
ument to the soldiers and sailors Of the
| civil war. was unveiled last week with ap-
| proprlate ceremonies. 1t is said to be an
| uncommonly strong and artistic work
|
about two years ago astounded his col
| leagues by taking up painting, is now re-
| ported to have turned his attention to lit
| erature and to be writing a book The pros
pective volume is to be a record OF Mr.
| Macmonnies' own experiences as a student
| in Paris and is intended specially for the
| benefit Of other Americans studying there
| suggesting simple solution Of many OF the
| perpleNing problems that confront them all.
| The American Park and Outdoor Art AS
| sociation is to hold convention in Boston
on the 9th. 9th and eth Of August Dele
| gates from all the prominent municipal art
| and architectural organizations are to be
| in attendance and an interesting program
of topics for discussion has been arranged
| AT the Public Library there will be a spe-
| cial exhibition of photographs Of the ia
| nous parks anO gardens or the world, and
| in the Horticultural Hall. where the prin-
| cipal sessions are to be held, there Is to he
| shown a collection of photographs and
| drawings of school gardens which has been
| gotten together by the Department of
| Agriculture for this purpose besides IN in
| teresting series of designs for artistic bill
| boards.
| From New York we learn that the much
talked of Massarenti collection. presumably
the property of Mr.. Walters Of Baltimore,
| has arrived. When 1t was reported some
months ago that Mr.. Walters had given
81, 100000 for this collection he stoutly de-
MED it, stating that while he was negotiat
| ing through agents for the collection. II had
| not at that time come into his possession.
| and that he had no intention of every pay
| ing such figure for It. II this collection
| contains all the treasures that have been
attributed to it s1.Oo0.0O0 would indeed
| have been a low price. but It is more than
probable that many of the accounts have
! been vastly exaggerated. 1t is so well-nigh
| impossible to get valuable works of art out
| of Italy nowadays, and II is so seldom that
| a really important collection is thus sold
| en- bloc, that more than usual interest is
| felt in the importation of this collection. and
| the announcement that it will be exhibited
| in New York before going to its permanent
| home in Baltimore has been received with
| much pleasure.
| Another picture by Romney has brought a
| sensational price at a Christie sale in Lon
| don recer tly. $4,000 being paid for a small
canvas, 24x29 inches in dimension, showing
| a likeness of Elizabeth MOrshead, daughter
| of Sir Thomas Frederick
| X
| The British Museum has just been en-
Il
| collection of mezzotints, which is one OF
the most notable in the world, containing
the maj jority Of the most rare and beautiful
| prints in existence.
| Some idea can be gained Of the value Of