The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-09
Art Aids for r.
Busy People
BY MARTHA G.. WELLS.
Copyright 1905.
XXXII.-John La Fargo, Painter,
Decorator, Writer.
tn thrilling adventure and ro-

THRILLING adventure and ro
mantle charm unite in the story
of John La Farge's parents. Oh
undiluted French blood, the father ma.
rine officer, came to this country in
1906, and later married, in New York,
the daughter of a French revolutionary
emigrant of high family and artistic
inheritance. Plantations in Louisiana
and estates in New York gave to the
elder La Fargo ample means, and their
excellent social position surrounded the
early life Of the son with all that edu-
cation. culture and travel could give.
After classical and legal education
in New York John La Fargo (1S35)
studied art in Paris, Germany and Eng
land. He sketched and copied from the
pictures of old masters and enjoyed
personal acquaintance with the most
eminent men Of Europe. After the
struggle which many men of genius
have had against fate and fortune to
taste and aim aspired, it seems strange
that he looked upon art during these
years as an accomplishment instead of
serious life work. ;. ....<
In 1860 he married a granddaughter
of Commodore Perry of Lake Erie fame
and located in Newport. Thru the in
duence of William Hunt, the New
England artist, fresh from his Partisan
art training, he settled to regular art
YORK. york painting 4?t; ge everythingaalandscapes
terlilies had a special fascination for
him, and in many-of his large compo-
sitions, and especially his art glass,
they have been most effectively used.
At first he painted in great detail, in
forms and tones which showed his in
terest and admiration for Millais, Ro-
setti and other English pre-Rap haelites.
and indeed, the intense perception Of
minorities was always retained, but the
great harmony of the mass maintained
turnout has made the great reputation
of La Fargo as colorist, and rightly
so: The tendency to render literally,
with absolute precision, made the draw
ings on wood for illustrations of books
and magazines a diversion and amuse-
ment. These have been frequently en-
graved. -. =,
Decorator and Colorist.
La Fargo s most important work has
been as a decorator. His commission
for mural painting began with Trinity
church, Bos ton, where in connection
with his friend, the architect, Richard
son, in spite of exceptional brevity of
time, incompetent workmen and struat-
ural difficulties, he completed what
was a model Of color harmony, eccle-
siastical suitability, and good taste:
marked ability to execute religious
paintings for the walls Of our churches,
and also the first who brought to bear
true artistic taste and handling upon
every detail of architectural decora-
ton. st. Thomas, New York, the
Church Of the Incarnation, the Brick
church, one in Newport, one in Port
land, and others were successfully dec
grated with marked Individuality, not
and local feeling, but coloring.
The Minnesota State Capitol.
In the full maturity of thought and
experience, his last and greatest work,
according to the. Judgment Of his
friends and art critics, has been done
for the new state capitol of Minnesota
The four superb lunettes, which now
decorate the supreme courtroom, rep
resent the "Evolution Of Law In
brilliant and harmonious colors, bold de-
sign, artistic suitability Of theme and
lures are the browning glory Of build
ing which has attracted wide interest
and admiration for its good taste and
completed harmony Of design with col
oring, and will scarcely be excelled, as
the artist is now advanced in years and
is in delicate health.
M mh1 5n first Remit Paintng Ths
ond, a Greek scene, "The Relation Of
the Individual to the State,'' shows
Socrates at a festival, serenely discuss
ing the interdependence~ of men. The
third, Recording the Precedents, -
portrays the Chinese philosopher, Con-
tuclus, and his disciples. examining
manuscripts and writing comments.
The fourth, "The Adiudgments of Con-
t1lctlng INTERESTS is perhaps the rich
scene in Rome, the theme is strict law,
not ethical justice, Count Toulouse
represents the typical sovereign lord
and the. king and bishop, the national
and ecclesiastical interests. es...,.. I
These splendid examples of mural
decoration form an era in western art,
and will long perpetuate the name Of
la Ia Farge. 1t is no disparagement to
the distinguished group Of other artists
capitol. decorations, to say that there
is no living mural painter in Europe
or America with the high inspiration
of John La Fargo. - s.
a. Art Glass Work.
While engaged in his first great work
Of decorating Trinity church, La Fargo
felt that in order to have the entire
interior complete and harmonious, he
must include windows in his scheme.
He turned his attention to art glass
Like artists of an older day, working
with his own hands, by many patient
experiments and systematic plan, he
succeeded in rediscovering certain pro-
cesses and inventing others in which
his marvellous power as a colorist
found full expression. The necessity Of
designing and making ornamental win
dows has occupied a great deal of Mr..
La Farge's time; their number for
large buildings, churches and homes
can be counted by thousands, from the
simplest lines and spaces to the most