New-York tribune., 1909-04-25
r6RBEY'.S LAIEST WOhh-
1notber Panel for the Harrisburg
Capitol.
London. Aurh Il

lar kIr:a
s-rrcatv with the Indians a purely idealIzed
eendering with the chiefs resembling IN color
and costume the t'herokees, who gave the paint
er his first lessons in brushwork when be was
Co hoy in Chester William Penn WAS presented
An Quaker garb with benevolent face and
eourtIy gesture, without any pretFnsons 10 ac-
c,,racv Subsequent paintings. ike Inmans
representation of the landing of Penn al Ches-
ter were based upon it. but the statuaTy Iii
Philadelphia has followed a better model the
profile cut in ivory from memory by Sylvanus
Bevan, a Quaker The best likeness OF the
founder Of the commonwealth is probably the
half-length in armor. which Is still to he seen
at Pennsylvania Castle. in the island of Port
land: but the armor does net comport with nat
eraI associations with the Quaker peaeernaker
Mr Edwin A Abbey who is decorating the
Capitol of his native state. has not followed /
West in idealizing the scene. He has taken
one of the best known historical portraits Of !
Penn and reproduced the traditional details OF
the meeting with the Indians. The elm is in
troduccd with splendid decorative effect and
with close approach to realism. 1t is tree
On MI. Abbey-s lawn at Farford, and the mas
aive trunk forms the centre of the panel
Voitaire described Penis treaty with the red
Ghcn the only league Of the kind which was
Aeither to nor broken That concise
q
IN the habit of scoffinG at every human event
singled out the coalition az unique in the deal
snacs uf superior with subject Investiga-
sors have questioned whether the title to the !
Col actually acquired by purchase. ana
have also raised the objection that the tribes IN
pennsylvania were themselves subject to the
Sivo Nations and poweress for Offering resist
ance TO the white invaders The tradition that
Quaker rule began with conciIiation and eqni-
Fable treatment of the native population has
sIrvived every assault from skeptics- MI Abb
bey rerrnduces the familiar scene in decora-
tive panel for the chamber OF the House OF
Representatives at Harrisburg Penn, with a
group OF companions and attendants has landed
b. boats on the shore by and halted under
a huge elm to exchange friendly greetings with
fhe Indian chiefs. He is of middle height and
has luxuriant auburn hair. n heavy chin and
ElittcTing eyes. He his sober but well
rut gray and blue scarf with courtiers grand
manner one hand is held out to the young
thief robCd in a decrskn. and the other holds
bic treaty which is to bc sanctioned The Older
chiefs seated on the ground or silently
looking on II is animated scene, with 4
most decorative use of srays, browns and blues,
with gIints Of red in the Indian costumes.
The date assigned for the meeting is octo-
Der "a There is golden LEAKAGE the elm
above the massive stem, and there are richer
and more radiant autumn tIntS on either SIDE
For once Mr.. Abbey has been sparing ir the
use % red and the color scheme is cool and
pale 1t is fine composition. The scene is
quietly portrayed in soft grays and rich
browns, COmPOrt with the sober
Quaker feeling Of peace and good VIII The
atmosphere Of melodrama has been left out
The sky is roseate with promise. and there Is
sreensward for natives and invader. around
the hosI liable elm II the panel lacks The
dramatic action which MI Abbey ordinarily
irnIarts to his groups OF figures II Is rs resifuI
and serene as Z Quaker meeting, where every
one is silent ana feeling OF fratcrna. conf
dence prevails. The two central figure: are
admirably drawn The stalw&rt chief, in has
deerskins has the dignity OF forest lie and
manly independence. The face Of Penn gen
tie and persuasive and his carriage is that ~
a leader of men. accustomed 10 court func-
tions and royal interviews
This large panel, which Is in MI All
bey's studio and may be exhibited IT the
Spring Academy, if 4 wall sufficiently spacious
can be found for it, is to be of three deco
rative works for the House of Representatives
at Harrisburg. y corresponding panel VIII por-
tray the historic scene Of the signing Of the
Declaration of Independence Between them
there viii be 4 decorative work sYmboliZiHg the
rise and triumph OF Pcnnsy vania com
thfSp