Evening star., 1909-06-19

Vention of the American Fedora
ton of Arts. held in this city in
May, was Mr. Charles Noel
Flagg of Hartford. who. since
returning to his home, has sent the writer,
by request, an extremely interesting ac-
count of the work of the Connecticut
state commission of sculpture of which
for many years he has been a member.
This commission. which is probably the
oldest of its kind in the country, was
created by an act of Legislature in 1856
primarily with the object of Safe guarding
the merit of the sculpture with which it
was proposed to adorn the exterior of the
state capitol then but recently completed
At that time. as Mr.. Flagg has very truly
said. the trend for better art in America
was in its infancy and consequently the
first sculptural work secured for the capt.
to and grounds was with exceptions, of
an Indifferent sort. After few years
passed. however. Il clash came between
the legislators and the commissioners,
which, being amicably terminated, marked
the beginning of new era in the work
of the latter About the time that the
trouble began Mr.. Paul Wayland Bartlett
was asked for advice concerning the
Sculptural treatment of the north front of
the capitol, which was then under con-
sderation Mr.. Bartlett. who d year ago
was awarded the commission for the pedi-
ment on the Senate wing of the United
States Capitol was at that time residing
i'm Paris but responded promptly. and
wisely counseled that before separate
works be taken up a scheme for the
whole be secured from single sculptor,
offering at the same time TO make such
design himself which he did. refusing TO
accept remuneration. In the corridor Of
the capitol AT Hartford a cast of the
model prepared by Mr.. Bartlett is now on
exhibition. and in accordance thereWlth
the majority of the sculpture on the
north end of the building has been exc
cuted. Mr.. Bartlett has modelled some
of the sculpture himself. but not all. Two
of the five tympana are his as are also
two of the statues. Richard +. Brooks.
Herbert Adams and Harmon \. MacNell
have also been accorded commissions.
The idea is to carve on the facadeS of this
building. as it were the history of the
state. picturing historical events in bas-
relief and memoraliZing the men who
have rendered signal service. or attained
great distinction. by portrait statues.
which shall al the same time be notable
works of art. Here iS indeed monument
building of sane order, and an example
of intelligent patronage of the fine arts
as we'll as of the profit accruing through
the acceptance of expert advice.
Whether or not the state legislature
holds the commission of sculpture In
higher esteem as its work progresses. |
do not know, Mr. FlaSg mas Sdiu pul
| do know that when the state is re-
uIested to contribute money for sculp-
tural memorials of one kind or another 1t
has become the custom TO include in such
requests a provision that the designs
shall be approved by the sculpture COM
mission and On the other hand. that the
state in granting money for such pur-
poses has lately made the grant condi-
tional upon such approval In this way.
happily. the commission Is becoming more
and more a safeguard against bad public
art, and, so long as it exists as body
free of political or any other influence,