New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-14

mental stone well curb he had found in Venice
He shipped it to his home with the request that
the art society members use it as they saw nj
An architect was at once engaged to provide
a suitable background for It's setting and tie
curb was installed drinking fountain In the
rear of the museum and close to the entrance
to Eden Park A copper basin was prepared
for 1t when the city water was connected with
it, and the fountain has proved one OF the popu-
lar features of the recreation grounds, espe-
cially in the hot months The lion of st. Marks
carved its side, gives classical appearance
to the well curb, which is in marked contrast
to the ugly patterns on the other drinking
stands surrounding il in the park The stranger
naturally stops and inquiries the origin and ms
tory of such an unusual device so there is
scarcely visitor 10 the park who does not
learn at this a gift by the art society
AS a decoration it is small and comparatively
inconspicuous, yet it proclaims the mission of
tie society.
Although the results of the most serious IN
dertakng by the society did not satisfy its
promoters. it accomplished much in enabling the
organization to establish a reputation and to
encourage the cooperation of the city authon-
ties by proving that its purpose was municipal.
betternent. This work the decoration
above the main entrance to the City Hall Per
mission secured to decorate TINS interior
and 4 competition was started py oiIerlhs
prizes. An appropriation of S-.JVu was made
for the purpose, $500 to be paid TO the artist
submitting the design considered the most APP
proprate, and 500 as second prize, While the
balance of S. 200 WAS to be paid for the work
OF putting on the decoration A jury was Sc
lected to award the prizes. but the society re-
served the right to any OF the designs SUP
mitted regardles- of the prize competition. All
al choice a
decorative medium and the selection OF a SUB
iect although the propriety of motive of local
interest was suggested.
The committee announced that the perhla-
nence of the material used would be consdered
and the fact that occasional cleaning would De
necessary in the smokeladen atmosphere to
which the work would be exposed
The Jurors were Charles K. Lamb OF New
York: Frank Duveneck of Cincinnati, and L.
C. Steele of indianapolis. There were ten COM
petitors. artists from Boston, New-York and
Philadelphia in the number, and the first and
second prizes went t. o. w. Beck, OF YORK.
and r w Sheafer of Philadelphia The con-
tract was also awarded to Mr. Beck and MS
mural decoration remains there to-day, beauti-
fui in contrast with the highly co!orea anu
SNOWY figures in the stained glass WINDOWS tha'
surround it in the City Hall
In the summer of 1901 it was learned that
the CITY Board of Public Affairs intended 10
clean the large bronze fountain given to the
CITY nv Mr. Prebasco This stands as a land
mark I'm the centre of the business portion.
All the traction lines transfer their passengers
when they reach it, and from it all the street
cars start out on their various routes. About
fifteen wears ago when the bright, new metal
had lost its lustre the board thought it needed |
securing SO it engaged a scrubber to restore
the brassy polish. Last year 1t thought the
time had come for another cleaning, for it sup |
nosed that the metallic brightness of the freshly
cast design ought to be brought out again
This was a troublesome question for the art
society but it felt that it ought to do something
to save the bronze 1t hestated 10 tell the city |
officials that the present dull shade the |
one sought by the makers and that a brassy |
pulse to express opinions or to agitate such |
an evident question of public taste 1t merely |
asked that the task of cleaning the fountain |
might be left to it. After removing the accu- |
mutation of dust and smoke, 1t allowed the |
greenish black tint remain the bronze |
norant critic dare not ask now why it left 1t so.
Recently the art society has taken up the |
question of more artistic signs and the suppress
sion of the billboard nuisance. AS a result Of /
it's agitation, Of the large piano manu- |
who had grievously offended the eyes |
of aesthetic persons by his invasion Of natural |
scenery with huge boards. has yielded. and has |