The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-21
In Art Circles

The frieze Of the Holy Grail painted by
Edwin A. Abbey for the delivery-rcom
Of the Boston public library is a treasure.
house of culture to those who seek to
make their own what 1t contains Of spirit
ual symbolism, sensuous delight and liter
airy significance. Much has been written
upon it critically and interpretatively, and
1t furnishes abundant material for such
comments, just as his theme afforded an
inexhaustible mine of artistic suggestion
to the artist.
A complete but brief volume has just
been issued by Curtiss & Cameron of Bos-
ton, entitled 'The Legend of the Holy
Grail" In it Sylvester Baxter has de-
scribed and interpreted the artists con-
ception.- He considers first the appropri-
ateness of the idea as a prime considera-
ton In dealing with a work of art. He
regards the placing Of the decoration in
the library delivery-room peculiarly fit.
ting The Holy Grail is the symbol Of
spiritual enlightenment, which Is the aim
and end Of human knowledge, to whose
promotion the room Is especially designed
to cater.
The legend is traced in it's literary use
and then the advantage is pointed out Of
Mr.. Abbegs decision to make his work
a composite Of the whole cycle Of legends
instead Of combining himself to the limfta-
lions Of q single story. Mr.. Abbeys work
stands for the legend in its totality and
this conception gave much freer scope to
| Following consideration Of the artistic
Interpretation, the frieze Is described in
detail.
| Even the art knowledge of most con-
noisseurs is not broadly cosmopolitan, but
! Is restricted to not more than half doZ-
en- countries. This is partly due to the lack
| Of reliable information about the art OF Y
other countries, for several Of them have
an art worth knowing. The May 1nterna-
tionaI Studio justihes its title by giving
among Its leading articles interesting
J Illustrated papers on phases OF art In
7 Japan, Russia and Spain. The editor,
Charles Holrne, In writing Of Japanese
flower painting, making some interesting
observations on national gardening and
love of flowers AS the constant profusion
| Of flowers Is not due wholly to natural
causes, but to intelligent care, he states
his belief that the Japanese are the finest
| garden craftsmen In the world Mr.. Holme
/ considers Japan and England the only
countries worthy to boast Of their gardens
in spite Of a few fine examples in other
l countries, such as those Of Italy and
/ France. The praiseworthy American eff
forts are pronounced too immature to
warrant unrestricted admiration. Tho
i japanese practice of painting from mem
5 DRY is shown to be of the greatest possible
advantage to the decorator and an aid TO
| idealization.
! In Modern Russian Art: Some Leading
Painters Of Moscow" Is described the
4 work shown at a new society of Russian
artists, the "Soyoux." the illustrations
giving evidence Of the strength Of the
| work.
! According to Leonard Williams, one OF
the few moments of Spanish art history
4 is now passing, and the man" for it is
Sorolla, a gifted and triumphant leader
Of the realism which has always been a
characteristic of Spanish art. Sorolla is
a man just in his prime He Is Of humble
. | ipin nj Ia a
4 the life he sees and feels around him,
preferably the life Of laboring classes.
I The American supplement is devoted to
the exhibition Of the Society Of Amer
lean Artists The appearance Of num-
Der of promising new men is noted.
The Craftsman gives a nearly equally
divided allegiance to beautiful handicraft
and to city identifying. The leading ar
4 ticle Is by H K. Bush-Brown on Parks. "
: in which he lays down the rule the
parks of given city demonstrate the
degree Of advancement attained by that
municipality They are city necessities
and the health rate Is in proportion to
the completeness Of the park system.
The desirability of any city as place
. Of residence is also dependent on the
character Of It's parks. In a similar vein
4 is Susan F. Stones article on THE Town
Beautiful being an article on improves
ment work.
The craft articles are varied and valu-
able, including very finely illustrated
one on Modern Jewel1y," by Dr. n
1 Pudor; Women Gem Workers in the
Far East" by Annetta Halliday Antona:
8 1.-THE Art Of Japanese Gardening" by T.
Karasawa; About Sake and the Pleas
ing Art Of Sake Sets by Olive Percival
and "Clay In the Potter's Hands, by
4 Charles F. Bnns. A translation from the
!. French of Armand Dalot, by Irene Sar-
gent. of an article on William T. Dannat,
Is one Of the most valuable features OF
the magazine. George Wharton James
continues his authoritative series on "Tha
Spanish Missions of the South