Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-25
ART N Es.

The sculptural work for the new munich
pal building Is progressing rapidly. The
sketch models for the eight heroic figures
and the pediment have been completed by
Mr.. De Nesti and approved by the archi-
tect and his committee. These models are
about half size and, while but roughly
finished, give an adequate idea Of the
sculptor's conception. The figures repre-
sent sculpture. painting, architecture and
music. commerce, engineering, agriculture
and craftsmanship. -Four are men and four
women; all are classical In type. More
or less conventional in order to meet the
requirements OF architectural decoration,
they are still informal and sufficiently va
ried. Each Is a type and has been worked
out individually. The proportions are good.
the appearance comedy and tho handling
Of draperies peculiarly pleasing. The pedi-
ment also Is interesting and commendable,
well built up and simple in design. The
first Of the figures Mr.. De Nesti is now
modelling in clay on the enlarged scale
It is eight feet in height and represents
sculptures youth standing with his right
hand on a partly carved block. while In his
satisfactorily completed it will be cast in
plaster and then. under Mr.. Bairstow's
supervision. carved In marble. The con-
structive work is being carried on at the
building within the square bounded by
18th and 18th, N and o streets, but the
final process. the actual outing, will be
done from material furnished by the mu-
nicipality within the new building itself.
This will, of course, obviate the necessity
for transportation, which Is always both
difficult and dangerous. Unless something
unforeseen prevents the sculptors hope to
complete their commission by early spring.
This would seem almost an herculean I'M
dertaking, but the progress already made
gives promise Of successful consummation.
X i
Mr.. Edward Kemeys has moved his home
and studio to the old Mackall house on
Georgetown Heights, which Is without
doubt one Of the most attractive of the old
time residences. There, out Of doors as
well as in, examples Of the eminent sculp-
tors work are to be found. Beneath the
trees to the left, suitably mounted, is his
splendid coyote, and on an eminence to
the right in tangle of honeysuckle,
small model of a crouching panther-the
Still Hunt of Central Parks to be
seen. while fanking the entrance are the
great terra-cota Jars, with their Indian dec
orations, modelled some years ago in Ari-
IONA and familiar to many through bronze
reproductions. Within are smaller works,
together with trophies Of the hunt secured
by Mr.. Kemeys when in the great wilder
nesses he was learning his art from the
eys has cared little for technique, but has
studied his subjects at first hand in their
native environment rather than through
the showman's medium in captivity. None
knows the fauna of America better or has
transcribed 1t with more feeling or greater
truth than he.
II X
Not for many years have the Washington
studios been as generally deserted as they
are at present, Scarcely an artist Is to be
found in town. Mr.. James Henry Moser is
in the Catskills, Mr.. E. c. Messer, the prin-
cipal Of the Corcoran School, has gone to
Greenwich, Conn.,, and Miss Mathilde Nue.
den Is abroad. Mr.. Hobart Nichols and his
family are still travelling on the continent,
and Miss Foster and Miss Nicolay have not
yet returned from their foreign tour. Mr..
Lucien Powell writes from Rockbridge
Alum Springs, whence he means to re-
turn by the way Of the Natural Bridge and
Mr.. R. N: Brooke is still working near War
renton. Va. At East Gloucester Mass,
thera Is quite q colony of Waahinet on art.