New-York tribune., 1907-11-06

N~-NN4 AS nSaIn last GUNNER the idea a
pei iaahent memorial to st. Gaudens was earnestly
discussed among his friends and while notbinp
oehhlte mas been decided upon it should not be
ione peIore this idea is realized. No doubt the
e~iipilioh at the Metropolitan will give an added
impetus to whatever scheme is adopted when the
sculptors friends in and ont ~ o,,r differant arr
socleues, have canvassed the matter and come 10
ah understanding. The sculptor of the Sherman
anu 'He arrasut is entitled to a public
ihehI OF MS own in this city, which we surely
cannot be slow in erecting. Meanwhile it would be
good to see adequate portrait of him hung in
the Museum. The disastrous fire which occurred at
MS Studio few years ago deprived the world OF
some deeply interesting impressions Of his per-
soha4ty In the strong lines of his head. In his
me nose and In his deep-set eyes, there was much
that appealed to the artist Bastien-Lepage
sketched him long ago in Paris. Sargent portrayed
him in later years, and there were other studies
made OF him. including the studio picture painted
by Mr.. Kenyon Cox and the etching by Zorn. The
fire played havoc with St Gaudenss possessions.
but one portrait of him survives painted by Miss
Ellen Emmet. which has the double merit of being
n wonderfully true likeness and a skful piece of
painting. This portrait would be valuable addi-
tion to the Museum.
In the discussion of architecture in this place,
apropos Of the League exhibitions of existing
work, much attention has necessarily been given
10 the influence Of the Ecole des Beaux Arts
American architects Time was when that in
fuence, though potent, did not appear at all con-
spicuously upon the surface ii things In this coun-
try. When, some twenty-odd years ago. the art
Of building took a lease of life with US. an
eXemplar of French ideas like the late Richard NJ.
Hunt had his followers as had 4 type OF
Romanesque inspiration like the late H. II. Rich
ardson; but the prevailing movement that
which drew its force from the Italian Renals-
sanCe. and especially accelerated by the firm
of McKim. Mead & White. Our students went 70
Paris, studied enthusiastically at the Ecole but
when they came back. were very apt TO practise
their profession in the light of Renaissance ideals
Then there came change Graduates Of the
Ecoe showed closer fidelity to its teachings, and
at the same moment wealthy clients who found
pleasure in the external features of the French
style approved its adoption in their mansions. and
made it fashionable. They supported the graduates
aforesaid. and. incidentally. encouraged many a
superficial imitator. with the result that q good
deal OF domestic architecture has been made
frivolous and ugly. Again and again the baneful
influence OF the Partisan school has been pointed
out in The Tribune Its merits have been cordially
recognized too, for IN the right hands the ideas
of the Ecole may be most effectively adapted 10
American purposes. On the whole however, the
extent TO which the influence Of the Ecole has
become harmful has justified repeated words Of
warning
1t is gratifying to observe that the argument has
been taken up in 1.-The Architectural Record To
the November number of that useful periodical
Mr.. J. Stewart Barney, architect Of experience
contributes an admirable paper on the subject
Basing It careful notes taken during two
years study in Paris, in and out OF the ateliers
under the direction of those who considered
their strongest men, he addresses himself to the
task OF showing that the method Of instruction IN
vogue ct the Ecole takes account Of tho
effect that plan makes upon paper than II does
Of the practical conditions which determine the
character OF architectural fabric. Thus BADLY
stated the situation at the Ecole would appear 10
be than 1t is, and Mr.. Barney is himself
careful to remind his reader that French training
is suited 10 the French genius, and accordingly
does not lead to disaster. But he justly complains
that French training may very easily warp and
nislead American genius. hampering II in the solu-
ton of problems resting upon American conditions
II is training, as he II. too indifferent 10
practically. For example he tells of a draw
ing at the EcOle to which the first medal
the restaurant, cafe. salon. gambling rooms and
offered accommodations for at least two
thousand people. but in which there were, all told
only about sixty bedrooms! Another Ecoe draw
ing is described. one OF a theatre which to
have great facilities for exit. The drawing
hioited many doors, but on examination these were
found TO have maximum height of about four
feet sis inches. Divers other equally ludicrous
examples are cited. Naturally. Mr.. Barney
realizes. there is danger of exaggeration In the
satircal repetition Of anecdotes like these. At the
same time the broad drift OF his argument is
sound.
That would be a sorry day for American arcri-
lecture which students ceased 10 take ad-
vantage Of the precious privileges of the Ecoe des
Beaux Arts. We have learned much from that in
stituton in the past and will learn more !n the
future But the Ecole is a danger US just
long as it's lessons are i'll digested and our stu
dents there instead of learning TO think for them
selves. work out pretty formula paper and take
up the problems Of their native land in the mood OF
the academic diIettante The architecture produced
to-day this country by graduates of the EcoIe is
often extraordinarily good, a fact which Mr.
Barney might prohtably have enlarged. It is good
when II is sincere. The trouble is that a fearful
amount OF this Franco-American architecture is not
sincere ALL but is made to suit the current fad
as pastry cook might fashion cake to suit
new tea table whm. Mr.. Barney might well have
said something about the inroads which the in
fuence OF the Ecole has made upon our archi-
tecturaI taste. Some OF the decorated facades in
America which owe their character to mistaken
devotion TO Ecole ideas enough to make
spectacle French architect fall in ht There are
graduates OF the Ecoe who recognize with indigna-
ton the debasement their principles have suffered
at the hands OF this that practitioner, who know
where the American must part company with his
French master, and who desirous of modifying
the present rather frantic movement To them.
less than to the dsiuterested layman, paper like
Mr.. Barney's should be welcome 1t helps to clear
the air.
At the Schaus gallery there has just been opened
an exhibition OF portraits by Miss Edith Steven
SON At the Collins gallery there is show of
eighteenth century English and French prints.
chiefly portraits OF women and children.
enlv ot Design will be received at the Fine Arts
Building on November 25 and &C. The show opens
on Saturday December IA. and closes on Saturday
January II. r. q.
THE WEATHER REPORT.
onieiaI Record and Forecast.---washngton, Nov.
3