New-York tribune., 1909-02-03
ART EXHIBITIONS
rbe architectural League and Other
Matters.

Lr.3tion which has just been opened II has
eA.-a,a5 The art Of building and the allied arts
ILL., rise rhat the least interested layrnan could
slv help finding some stimulus and pleasure on
1T through the collection, and the special stu
=. is likely TO be moved to enthusiasm. The
- committees or juries assigned to consider ex-
.5as submitted Of architecture, decoration and
,+,,-a appear TO have been energetic in weed
So ont TIE usual dull and mediocre things, and
- .re material accepted, they have built up a
- ensemble. The extremely miscellaneous mass
= cravings photographs. models. paintings and
: =, has been strewdly distributed. Not only is
tbs effect harmonious, but the convenience Of the
ssb,l5er seems somehow TO have been kept in
mind
One fact Of prime Importance is thrown into
.bsrp relief by the exhibition. This is that in
,ns matter OF style nearer than ever before
70 the establishment Of generally popular work
,op hypothesis Il IS hardly possible that the pre-
sIection Of jury could alone be account table for
the impression left by the architects here repre-
ntsd II these so persistently stand for conserva-
tys IDEAS it must be that conservatism is really
dominating the architectural situation The as
sunption as regards the designers Of fearful and
.on5srful facades in decorative vein traceable to
Parlsian Influences must be not that their exhibits
we're rejected. but that they have begun the
s-ror Of their ways Good taste what every
,bnughtfuI observer has hoped would ultimately
sistnguish American architecture. There are more
eridences Of 1t in this exhibition than the league
has hitherto assembled In years. One is tempted
% look about for the causes. These cannot reside
rrlv and solely scholarship and technical proc
ssses One Of the interesting things about
tbe leagues exhibition IS their reflection of social
developments. Undoubtedly designer and client
meet one another half way with ever increasing
frequency HOY otherwise may you explain the
specirnens Of domestic architecture in which this
ambition is rich? build in the city, miniature
Fsian palaces or simple houses of Colonial de-
err In the country we reproduce the Italian villa
~ the dwelling which the English bungalow,
lie English manor the English cottage have all
g-,4lr EQHrT HF0a syeTa0
,snt thing is that there is hardly anything archeo-
legscal about these designs Inside and out-znd
many Of their interiors shown in photographs
-ths note Is Delightfully."- natural and spontaneous.
The American country house especially grows at
once 10 be more and more work Of art and TO
seem more and more a home. 1t all brings Us
back 10 The simplicity that is at the bottom Of
good taste There are some very elaborate build
ings here shown, but there none that suggest
Eanton display The old days Of aamboyancy have
evidently gone forever.
II the many designs FOR public buildings here
brought together you may read even more definitely
& story OF progress in American civilization, and
here TOO, you may observe 3 great claTihcation or
architectural style Even this voluninous exhib-
1on could not hope Re absolutely comprehensive
tut il goes far representation Of current pub
lie buildings, and from il may surely gather that
The ugly monumental structure, Ike the deporable
queen Anne cottage. so-ceIed may no longer safe
IL lift its head State and municipal building com
mItjees and private corporations into the bargain
seem 10 be il q kind Of race for pre-eminence in
this matter and the architects, keenly alive TO their
opportunity, have apparently come to the conclu-
sion that classical and Renaissance motives the
adopt 1t is almost hopeless TO attempt 10
partcularize in a survey Of these drawings and
aphs-the list is prodigiOusly long-but a
few examples must be cited 10 enforce the success
with which the most diverse problems attacked.
Look at the Municipal Office Building for
this city, exhibited by McKirr, Mead 81 White,
al the New York Postoflce." designed by the same
firm. Look al AT. Cass Gilbert's New Railroad
Station. New Haven" or Shepley, RItan & Coo
idge's 'Lansden Hall. Harvard University or
Wood, Dom & Dernings Union Trust Company
Washington Albert r ROsss Public Library,
Columbus at score Of other buildings pro-
5ecied less monumental lines. The
Imagination kindles at what the men who are max
iag these buildings doing Concisely stated, they
raising edihces exactly adjusted in matters Of
sPace. lighting and practical convenience generally
70 the purposes for which they are needed, and
made, moreover, impressive and even beautiful
The skyscraper itself. that fearful wild fowl, is
taking on a dignity, If may judge from
McKin. Mead Whites Municipal Office Build
ing"
No doubt IL must be remembered that the Hnedi-
fying big building still gets itself piled up A small
chamber of horrors might have been added to
:kis exhibition remind for sins that the
American architect is not invariably impeccable
There are. be sure. some good buildings shown,
which might perhaps have been made better Mr..
William A Boring, for example, has made pretty
handsome building out OF his "St. Agatha's School,
YET one cannot help wishing that established
c tuer balance between the materials used IN his
FACADE and that the attic had not come near
being top-heavy Similarly finds the Brooklyn
Academy of Music designed by Herts & TaIlant.
an Uninpeachable work for the fact that It is
cuTiously uninteresting. But while there dis
appointments TO be encountered in the architect
ural wing Of this exhibition, the memory Of 1t that
stays longest one Of work finely and often nobly
planned
In INC departments Of painting and sculpture
1wo veterans. Mr. John La Fsrge and Mr.. J. @. A.
Ward have been especially honored, plenty of
space being given 10 works by them II is good
to see the traits Of these sterling artists thus illus
hated The large group Of paintings studies.
photographs and representing Mr. La Fargo
Includes some OF his most remarkable inventions.
The great decorations for the State Capitol st.
raul are shown photographs. but interest
ms coicr studies for salient figures in these
SHOWN with them, ard the superb Angel Of the
oon, the decoration for the Paulist Fathers
Church, is exhibited IN fun scale and color Souve-
Mrs Of much CT his work in stained glass are
presented, and. OF all, IN respect this side
q MS art tha exquisite Peacock Window has
'eeh Brought from his studio and set up in light
permitting the visitor 10 see what a miracle Of
STt II Is Mr.. la Fargo has too wide a range
ana has done TOO much in HIS long career for
rese various items 10 afford more than glimpse
.N'o ms genius. But that glimpse is full OF mean
lng' il viv1dly suggests the technical powers the
oeeP fuFd Of ideas and The gift for color which
M nsFe made him kind Of modern old master. Mr.
"dfGs ~Beecher Monument" and the photographs
- % 1ls George Washington James A Garfield
@"olan Hunter" The Puritan and other well
A4'oNn pieces she more impressive through be-
-1s assembled together. They deepen sense of
ne large simplicity of his style. them. and in
me notable ''Pedinent-New York Stock Ex-
NHeAge he makes plain his judgement in the
ollssion &C triding Details his reliance ampIi-
eee o. Inc AID mass his instinct for the yitaliz-
n Hfe Ee GpHrra h1,fE EQl