Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-29
A R T N O T E S.


heing executed by Mr. Frank D. Millet
for the United States custom house at
the port of Baltimore. These paintings
illustrate the development of the ship OF
commerce. and to be placed on the
walls and ceiling of the audience chamber
when completed. About a year ago, when
Messrs. Hornblower & Marshall. the arch
fleets of the custom house. placed It's
: decoration in MIR. Millet's hands, he de-
termined to do as much of the work as
possible in Washington, and came here
to find a suitable studio. 1t was no simple
. matter to find room large enough to ac-
commodate twenty-foot canvaSe> and half
a dozen painters. as we'll as afford proper
Eight; but some one remembered the eX-
istence of old Forrest Hall, on High
street, now Wisconsin avenue. and IL
proved ideal for the purpose. To attend
reception IN a barnlike studio over a sec
ond-hand furniture shop on a provincial.
narrow street and to find therein music
and art refreshments and fashion must
have smacked to some of the real art
environment, which alone furnishes the
correct setting for artistic life. and ii was
both an unusual and pleasant combination
There was no lack of evidence, however
that the Forrest Hall studio had served
not only as an ideal, but genuine work
shop. On the walls and on great upright
frames were displayed many of the panels
for the walls as well as the entire pic
torial covering for the ceiling, which IN
six weeks will be ready to be permanently
placed The panels for the walls are like
canoes cut in white on blue and green
grounds-conventional treatments of all
manner of ships set forth with great ac-
curacy. and yet with a note of Sayety
Without frames or holdings and without
their proper lighting they are seen TO the
worst advantage, but even so they inter
est and charm. The canvaseS for the cell
ing are treated in quite a inherent man
ner. more realistically and Yet with no
less decorative effect. Great full-rigSed
ships are pictured as sailing upon a calm
but linhtless ocean. The sky is partly
obscured by banks of light Vaporous
clouds. and across the field of the water
troops or sea guls seen. But few col
ors have been used to make these pic
toral representations and while accuracy
las been maintained the handling and
composition are extremely simple. While
they are not completed. the effect already
is admirable. the ships sit we'll on the
water and possess in themselves that
mysterious charm always eXerted by sail
ing craft. There is a dignity and placidity
about these paintings which are strongly
felt and which fit them peculiarly for
decorative purpose.
Some of the preliminary sketches which
have been made as studies for these cell
ing paintings were also shown and found
much favor among both the laymen and
artists. One of these. group of boats
with sails spread seen through misty
atmosphere suggesting early morning, was
said to indicate the manner in which the
larger panels Will eventually be finished
1t is. however. something more than an
ordinary study guide. for its Spon-
taneity, pictorial quality and feeling lend
it. as separate work, real distinction.
Though mural paintings only to be
placed in the audience hall. Mr.. Milet has
had charge of the decoration of the entire
custom house and has designated the co..
oring for each room and corridor. This
has given him exceptional opportunity
and must undoubtedly produce an eSpe-
cially good and harmonious result. Mr..
Milet has determined to retain his studio
at Forrest Hall. and after the decorations
for the Baltimore custom house are COM
pleted he proposes to paint here thirteen
mural panels for public building In
Cleveland, for which he has recently re-
ceived a commission.
Monday morning at IL o'clock forty or
fifty persons met by invitation at the
home of Mrs. Charles ]. Bell to discuss
the plans of the National Arts and Crafts
School and to see an exhibition Of arts
and crafts work produced by students Of
this school and others. Mr.. E. C. Messer
of the Corcoran School spoke on the value
of artistic training. Mrs. Nee}igh of the
Neighborhood House told much that was
-
Vesey of the National Arts and Crafts
School described the methods of ceramic
decoration and the making of pottery.
The National Arts and Crafts School was
started last fall by Mrs. Sloan. but, as
for many reasons it has seemed undesira-
BILE to continue it under private control,
it's direction has been assumed by a COM
nittee composed OF Mrs. c. j. Bell. Mrs.
David Fairchild. Mr.. H. B. F. Mcfarland.
Mrs. Rainey and Mr.. H. H. Wards and an
effort is being made to raise a sufficient
fund to equip and place it on sure foot
ing. This will require about $500, and
Of this amount about ont-half has already
been pledged. There are already sixty
II pupils enrolled at the school, and it is con-
fdently felt that within year it will be
self-supportng. 1t is true that this school
and the school of arts and crafts recently
made part of the George Washington
University will run on parallel lines. but
:. they need not conflict, or duplicate effort
The courses given by each are at the pres
. ent time not identical. 1t might be better
If the two schools could be consolidated.
but on the other hand they may exert a
wider influence as they now stand. The
arts and crafts movement cannot be too
broadly diffused. for it tends primarily to
The increase of art knowledge and art ap-
probation. Great benefits have been reap
ed through the rational teaching of the
crafts and no work is more definitely i'm
portant. Some time in the future 1t is
hoped that a national school of arts and
crafts will be fostered by the national
government under the direction of the
NATIONAL Gallery of Art. but in the mean
time there should be no lack of private
support for such school in this city.
**
The artistic value of craftsmanship has
- been patiently demonstrated within the
Slast fortnight by the exhibition of tapes
tries, textiles. embroideries and aces
which has been held under the auspices
! of the National Society of the Fine Arts
In the Corcoran Gallery of Art. No exhi-
abition except that of contemporary Amer
gican paintings has awakened wider inter-
lest or called forth more gratifying COM
= ment. Over five thousand people visited
- afternoons alone and the attendance
monty large. 1t was with regret that the
doors of the hemicycle hall were closed
yesterday afternoon and in order to give
: others who have not already availed
Z themselves of the privilege opportunity
4 TO see the tapestries which hung in the
-sfnain gallery they will be allowed to re-
rshnain on view until Monday morning
:. This, through the courtesy of the director
ssef the Corcoran Gallery continues the
) main portion of the exhibition Sunday af-
J ernoon, one day longer than was sched-
tlled-
4se The Society of Washington Artists
~ axes poSSeSsion of hemicycIs ba If