The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-11
ART IN CITY BUILDINGS.
The Hall OF Records. the New Public
Library and the Municipal Authorities.

Inc bfAu OF RECORDS, the new PuDllC
Library and tho Municipal Authorities.
To THE EDITOR OF TIE SuN-!Sir. While
the city's art societies are endeavornR. with
little encoura cement. to induce the Mayor to
secure the artistic decoration OF the Hall Of
Records. might they not well extend the field
Of their activities 70 the new Public Library
Through public indifference and official pro-
erastination the sculpture for the Hall OF Rec
ords has been contracted for by the job lot.
Whether the mural decoration Of the building
Is to be left similarly to political chance re-
mains largely with Mayor Low. as chairman
Of the Board Of Estimates Committee on
Decoration for that building.
There is presently to como before ,hs IN
tsrested public the question OF the decoration
Of the Public Library in Bryant Park. There
will Be felt generally. we venture to say a
reasonable confidence that Carrere 4 Hast
ings will not Do tempted to buy sculptures
by the dozen. like biscuit or douehnuts for
the Public Library. as Horsan 4 Slattery
have purchased them for the Hall Of Records
But what u to be offered or suggested
for the decoration of the library building
v 4 question which has not as yet been
near future become important In the minds
Of citizens interested In our civic progress
th sa he q
the question. for In the opportunities furnished
in public buildinss, more than anywhere else
lies the possible development OF . genuine
The msleadips catch phrase that art knows
no nstlonaity 70 Sampaifn cry and a mere
is bound to be the expression OF the national
civilization. 1t were perhaps TOO much 70 say
phrase; But giysn American public bqlldines
TO % decorated By American aItists IN sub
the Development Of 9n American art Is open.
himself principal factor h r., ths oompaetien
Why he should Be. as at present. an incident
Inn *, The sSaus
riddle II would be dificult TO demonstrate
that an architect Is more often an artist than
artist would make in an attempt to draw plans
f9f b babs b as o ess .rss
mary planning q Whatever AZ embelllsSment.
In the way Particula,ly Of p.intiaas sculpture
many instances, TO the architect It 10 left
further to supply drsetly ?. indirectly II. tn
Yet he can scarcely claim to be the expert in
''1s5 "a. 4 4 s. s:H : Esss.a
IN The thross: Tho original architect, Of the
sq bs e. S.,. sSSuDtSs s
While the same architect. instead Of design:
ing 10 sI ssStsss oe
mounted here and there BY odds and ends Of
sr that
soheme q Sis.s1c.i snd .ies eris.l decoration
have been so far OF no avail.
Il is true that tie ARCHITECTURAL plans pro-
the ees stipulated l Price FOR Witch preciudes ths
emphasizes the pertinence. OF. the inquiry:
TN ny s.ady q color FORMS 10
color scheme. and pictorial decoration Of
have us' been e Devoted The painter and the
sculptor are expected 70 create In their re-
are made 90 far subsidiary TO the utitartan
craftsmanship IN architecture. whoss proper
than W. worEmen in the archltects employ
That in architectural plans the proper OPP
reduced TO an unfair minimum IL perhaps
scarcely TO be wondered at under the circum-
sssr ss
Involuntary homage before their trapscendent
and commanding beauty. irrespective Of the
sSe
Be found With the snufins out Of these; But
IL II so? Ia II only to ace the structural lines
that the traveller seeking to know what art
hf Sr aG9e x @
Court house. and the Boston Public Library?
Yet surely 1t cannot be that lest q Worship
per go to Boston to see Mr. Sar gents decora-
lions. rather than the buildinR, containing
er's opportunities in a newer public building
Permanently in the case OF public build
Ing. BUILT with the public money there inheres
do to make that building eautiful and an sx-
pression Of the peoples highest attainments
shall be done; and that the architects best
achievement shall be s enhanced 6y TIE sup
creations Of the most accomplished painters
and sculptors. In the present adjustment
Of circumstances attending the construction
Of Public sSdinS In New - f9 ,h Y
societies make itseli felt In order to attain
the rounded whole OF art In any particular
pile
ure contract In the case Of the Hall Of Rec
ords, II Is about one yesr, now: since at least
one Of the art societies o. the city inquired of
visions, were made for the internal decoration
Of the building. and received the answer that
the plans for the interior in detail had not
yet been completed No subsequent COM
tion.. II may safely be inferred that an artist
like Mr.. Hastings would not pass an oppor-
tpnity to make great building grander
through the works OF painter and sculptor
an onicial director Of color. co-equal. In his
special department, with the architect, there
y wide room for the manifestation Of public
Interest Witch would prevent any repetition
INPAHr1Al