The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-08
NILLET'S WORKS
Of GREAT VALUE
Forest Hall Filled With
Painters Gift to Gov
eminent.

Among the achievements of mural
painters IN this country there are few
works of greater magnitude or Of high
er. artistic value than the work upon
which T.. d. Millet is engaged in the old
building known as Forest Hall in
Georgetown, which has been converted
into an immense studio, end Is now well
filed with photographs, sketches, illus
trauons. and other material connected
with the large mural decorations which
Mr.. Millet and his assistants are pre-
pairing for the United States custom
house Of Baltimore. Although the work
is yet in the preparatory stage. and
nuch work of preparation remains TO
be done. enough can be seen TO warrant
the assertion that this scheme Of decor
alton will be second TO none Ia this
country.
The charming feature OF the plan
sdopted, is that while IL is beautiful as
matter OF decoration, II belongs to a
Tar different class than that usually
selected for the public buildings OF this
country In which mural decorations are
laade a part OF the decorative features
In the adopted plans there Is no re-
lance upon imaginary or NEUROLOGICAL
symbolism. While other public build
ings have depended largely upon the
use Of the human figure IN unusual re-
latons 10 the arts, the sciences, or TO
commerce and manufacture: introducing
draped OF nude figures associated with
the activities of human progress, in this
Instance the artist has depended upon
q marine scheme Of decoration and has
chosen not only possible but actual fac
tors IN Fexreior,r,1e ~ - 4h. com
mercial conditions of the country.
In the plan OF decorations selected,
while as much as possible IS OF a type
dtsdnctiveIy American, there IS shown
the relation OF this country to other
countries IN marine or mercantile dl-
recuOns. While ships were a valuable
adjunct OF commerce long before the
period Of the discovery Of this country,
the influence upon our shipping and the
Improvement in methods or water trans
pOrtation are unified in such a manner
that the decorations become valuable as
record of the historical development
Of shipping. and in the development OF
these plans accuracy has formed an
important portion Of the work. Fanci-
ful pictures Of ships belong to the fan
tastic style Of decoration. which leaves
much TO the imagination and raises the
everlasting question OF truth in repre-
sGntatlOn. In tins Instance ships be
longing 10 a certain epoch Of progress
are represented correctly, in form, as
well as in equipment. Truth IS made
a dominant characteristic.
In detail the decorations are Of more
than historic interest, for they bring
the added charm OF color and appropri-
ate setting. over the FIVE windows have
been designed spaces for five lunettes
which are to be filed with five types
Of ships. illustrating five important Pc
RODS OF shipbuiIding Here are shown
tie ships Of the vikings. the carave's.
the ships of Captain Cook, the clippers
Of 1851, ana the transatlantic steamers
OF the present date
Above the !unettes IS a narrow border
Of decorations. IN which small boats
such as canoes and other smau boats
In common use at different periods Will
form the chief objects OF interest.
Inc next higher series OF decorations
viii be the twenty-eight panels OF the
cove. In these panels which are FIVE
feet high VIII be placed a series Of deco
rations. Illustrating the entire history
Of marine architecture, from the early
,hiDs OF the Egyptians. through all Of
the types OF development. and cOnclud-
ing with the latest examples of grey
hound steamers for passenger service
ard the battleship Vermont. the latest
Idea IN naval construction.
Above the cove the decorations are
continued IN = decorative border typi-
cal OF the products OF the State Of
Maryland. In this border which Is In
monochrome and viii consist Of a light
green ground upon which the decora-
tons are shown Ia white. have been ar
ranged sprays of the branches Of trees
indigenous TO the State Products Of
the state, such as corn and tobacco,
form sections Of the decorations. In
order 10 break tho mOnciony OF a sin
gle band Of decorations composed OF
products of the s5il and familiar tree
branches. rectangular spaces have been
introduced at frequent intervals which
Will be occupied by water fowl. and in
some Of the spaces the decorations Will
consist Of that famed Maryland luxury
the diamond back teTrapin
The largest plan of decoration has
been reserved for the ceiling with an
area OF siXty-three feet by thirty feet
This Immense space will be filled with
one large marine painting. II viii sug-
gest the open sea Of commerce, and