Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-23
A R T N 0 T E 8.

Interesting accounts have come from 81
Paul, Mimi, of the reception accorded the
mural paintings made by Mr.. Carl Gutherz
during the past season for the Peoples
Church of that city, which have just been
placed in position. They occupy an arch
over the organ and complete an elaborate
series upon which the artist has been at
work for several years. Though last In
time of execution, the keynote Of the
scheme is to be found in these paintings,
seven in number. semi-circular in form.
which collectively form an arch facing the
worshipers. and connecting the spandrels
on the frontal wall. "One need not be
told" says the st. Paul Dispatch. that the
figure which occupies the topmost panel Is
the Spirit of Wisdom Its posture. its
every line and its beautiful and reposeful
face express the most intense thought. AS
one looks at 1t, more and more of the dark,
brooding strength of the figure is revealed.
Purpose shines out and Eliminates the fea-
lures, and the first vision of mystery van
ishes, to give place to convincing idea or
a Creator-the Spirit of Wisdom shaping
and planning a world of law and order and
of spiritual blessings On the left of the
figure the artist has embodied in the three
canvases types of law and order. FIRST,
the ship of state rocks Idly and periously
near a danger buoy. Then the American
symbol of government-the Capitol at
h.ngtOn-emerges from misty back
ground. Lastly, the idea of education Is
embodied in a figure with globe and CEN
scr. On the right the canvases Symbolic
spiritual things-nature, the church, the
Godhead. In the first space a river is seen
flowing amid the cool green of a summer
landscape. In the second a cathedral rises
against the sky. In the third the feast of
the sacrament IS symboNzed by a canvas
of exceptional beauty and thoughtful IN
tent. in this the trinity has been success
f.,lr tL,,Ill tod pIrn
rests upon a chalice of wine dhe Holy
CfraiD upon this dove is descending, and
in the center IS seen cross. Effective use
has been made of the circle, and in the cen
trail panel there are faint suggestions OF
spheres within spheres The color scheme
of the whole is in perfect sympathy with
the surrounding canyases, Just as the
scheme of thought is carried further by
the spandrels representing Life and I'm
mortality, and the side canvases represent
ing Truth and Love In the technical
handling of the entire composition there IS
displayed admirable restraint and the
harmony of the whole delights the senses
as the thought stimulates the intellect. All
who have seen Mr. Gutherzs work in the
Congressional Library at Washington, and
even those who know him only through the
Canvases in the Peoples Church, can read
lily read that he would have been happiest
always to have been a painter of poems. lie
has the gift of embodying in beautiful line
and color abstract thought. In painting
this archway Mr.. Gutherz has successfully
enviSaged an idea. Moreover, he has inter-
preted his idea so simply and yet so richly
that it cannot fail to reach each observer"
This IS high praise but 1t voices what Is
apparently the consensus of opinion. The
problem which confronted Mr. Gutherz WAS
uncommonly difficult, but he has solved 1t
with evident success. He Is it is true, nat
urally an interpreter of poetic thought, but
to conform expression to architectural linn
itations is a test of the utmost skill A
ia Ga m lime q
significant and decorative fulfils It's highest
function.
Russian fine arts exhibition is attract
ing wide attention in New York at present
Consisting of the paintings and art objects
sent to the ST. Louis worlds fair. It has
been set forth in Gotham by special re-
quest 1t opened with great ceremony
the paintings were blessed by a prelate
of the Greek Church; the health Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt and the peace ENJOYS drank
with enthusiasm by Russian sympa thizers.
An admission fee is charged, and sales So
licited for a benevolent purpose, and the
whole bears the stamp Of society bazaar.
The basement and first floor are occupied
by paintings; while the second floor is de-
voted to a display Of art objects produced
by members of the Russian Arts and Crafts
Society of which Tolstoi Is the president.
There are among the paintings some few
good canvases-one or two which bear the
labels of commentator bestowed by the
international jury OF award-but the major
ity are worse than untmportant. The sub
jects as rule brutal or trivial; the
manner of handling crude or overweight.
They are without doubt shown to the worst
advantage; huddled together and poorly
lighted; but SO poor are the most that they
could scarcely be redeemed by the best
conditions. Here and there may be noted
CLINT Of fierce strength, but 80 untem-
pared nv artistic feeling Judgment that
1t fails to convince. Having seen Troubet
skoi's sculptures and Verestchagin's paint
ings, It is hard to believe that this Is In
deed representative showing OF Russia's
art. The arts and crafts exhibit on the up
per floor is better, but still rude Some
beautiful bits of workmanship are shown,
but much is clumsy and careless. The toys
carved in wood are probably the best of the
display and the most notable, some OF
which are both ingenious and artistic. Am
bassador de Rosen is president Of the hon
orary committee, which Is composed or
Baron de Schlippenbach, Consul General
Lodygensky, Baron Schilling, Halsey {.
Ives and others.
The Art Students League Of New York,
which is about to start on It's thirty-first
season, Institutes this year in its curricu-
lum two new features which are of general
interest The first is a course of lectures
given on alternate Saturdays by Mr. How
ard Pyle; the second class IN practical
mural decoration. Mr.. Pyle's lectures will
naturally be, primarily, for the students OF
the league but they will be open to the
general public, and after his talk Is con-
Guided he has agreed to criticise, at re-
quest any work which is being done either
for the magazines or other practical pur-
pose which may be brought to him. The
class in mural decoration has been called
forth by a constant demand for instruction
in the practical problems which heretofore
could only be mastered by apprenticeship
as a decorators assistant or by STUDY
abroad instruction will be given In the
use of material, as well as Informal talks
and criticisms the history OF the art
and personal Interpretation Some of the
leading decorators and mural painters have
shown much interest in the movement and
several have already volunteered their SER
vices as occasional instructors.
The outlook for the coming season Is on
every side most suspicious. The art world
seems to be waking up with unusual vim,
rather than languidly regaining energy The
dealers prognosticate a good season, and al
ready the program of exhibitions Is almost
full Those returning from abroad are
bringing II Is understood, however, less for