New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-01
BIG PANEL REJECTED.
CRITICISM OF FIGURES.
Statues of FiUe Mayors Also Disap
proved by Art Commission

The Municipal Art Commission has disapproved
the big art patel painted by Taber Sears IN the
ceiling of the aIdermen's chamber in the city
Hall The painting is Of the largest in the
city 1t represents New-York as the Eastern gate
way Of the American Continent receiving tributes
of the nations. The panel measures about forty by
twenty-five feet The painting was put on sec
ttonal canvases and after the sections were as
sembled the artist went over the work and re-
touched It to obliterate the sectional lines
1t is understood that Mr.. Sears TO receive
s. 900 for the work.
Messrs Dielman, Coombs and Farragut. the COM
mIttee Of the commission specially appointed to ex
anime and report the work. approved it with
the following memorandum;
Your committee appointed to report on the deco
ration of the ceiling OF the Aldermanic Chamber,
RE nigh standard Of art desirable in the decoration
OF 50 important a chamber nevertheless recon-
mends that the designs be approved
In this connection your committee desires TO
forming to high standards cannot be produced
der conditions Of time and remuneration such as II
in question
Ordinarily the report OF A special committee is
approved without debate When this report
turned in there objections from all sides.
Several thought that such a report would COM
promise the commission inasmuch as 1t stated that
the work in question not up a required
artistic standard When the vote was taken
Jority voted not TO accept the report OF the spe-
ciaI committee.
IL tAU CSIiLAS OF the picture IS a seated Ieula4s
figure. attended by other figures encircing repre-
sentation Of the globe IMPLYING prosperity. civi-
zation. wisdom, navigation and agriculture. At the
left Of the central figure is one OF a militant boy
supporting with his left hand a shield, on which
are the arms Of the city. while in his right hand
he bears the sword Of state
Exception is taken by var1sus members OF the
commission 20 the alleged shortcomings in the fig
ure of the boy. Some Of the art commissioners are
sure that the boy Is not plump enough. Another
exception is taken to the lines of figure typify-
ing agriculture The hgure has a sheaf OF wheat
under his left arm. and a basket Of fruit which ne
is laying at the feet of the central figure. II IS
said BY some OF the commissioners that the figure
has taperinS waist like that Of a tightly corseted
woman. Another thing which some Of the commits
sioners do not like is the cOnspicuOusness OF the
inquire representing New-YOrk Inas much she is
supposed TO be somewhat perspective it is urged
that the pronounced red robs brings her too close
10 the front or the picture.
said he objects TO doing his work over inasmuch
ne submitted a design to the commission on Au-
ADJUST IL --'N vas approved OS 'nA' 'ooE on
Mr.. Sears had only about two and half months
In which 10 paint the picture and he had to intrust
some OF the work TO assistants. His friends said
yesterday that It was absurd TO assume that Mr.
changing the picture after the commission had
4 cannot discuss the commissions reasons for
disappearing the panel picture" said John De
Tribune reporter last night e! cannot say wheth-
will warrant the commission IN accepting the
picture"
at is a question whether the city withhold
payment from Mr.. Sears under the circumstances,
said Controller Grout The artist submitted pre-
hninary drawing, which approved by the
commission II it can be proved that the work was
disapproved after it ordered by the city5 rep
resentatives, then IT may De that we viii nave 10
pay Mr.. Sears for his picture. no matter what al
legged imperfections it may, possess
The mission at the meeting on saturday dis
approved eight out Of eleven designs or sIatuary
for the Hall of Records submitted by Philip
Martiny, who has the contract from Horgan q
SIattery for the art work the new building. OF
the eleven designs submitted seven were OF mayors
and Stuyvesant were approved. while those OF
Duane Golden, HeathcOte, De Witt clinton anu
De Vries were disapproved.
The commission approved the plans for the new
Police Headquarters in Centre-st- The structure
is be five stories high. and will cost about Noo0-
COO Work is to begin at once
The plans municipal building IN
Brooklyn with the exception of a FACADE on the
Joralemon-st. side, were approved