Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-09
AMERICAN ART
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

The past year has furnished numerous
proofs of the increased commercial value
Of American art. The word art is becom-
ing broader in its meaning. 1t now In
cludes good, useful and valuable work in
many lines. which few years ago would
have been scoffed at by the ultra-esthetic
as sordid and unethical.
The value of American art is being DEM
onstrated by the large number of Amer
lean artists who are now able to COM
mand large fees for their work. Edwin
Abbey has just declined the invitation OF
King George to paint the coronation por-
trait, and all American artists are proud
that he could afford to do so. Abbey
painted the official picture of the corona
ton Of King Edward, which now hangs
in Buckingham Palace. In this are rep
resented portrait figures Of over one hun
dred persons prominent in the coronation
ceremonies. The artist had cause for
complaint with a number Of these OIL
Gals because they were unpunctual in the
matter OF sitting. The recollection Of the
unpleasantness connected with the one
coronation picture has caused Abbey to
reject absolutely the overtures of KING
George. Abbey's prices for portraits are
In many cases fabulous, as he Is indis-
putably the most popular painter of mod
ern times. His most recent work In his
native land was the fulfillment OF the
contract in the state capitol at Harris
burg. Pa, for four lunettes for $4,000
and four medallions for $4,000.
4:
John Sargent for some years past would
not consider a portrait order for less than
$1,000, and
John Sargent Asked if the SUBJ
High Prices for Work. all. all dino difiicu 1T
he received $500. At present he is do
ing landscape work for his own pleasure,
having grown weary of his long devotion
to portra.ture. William Chase commands
81. $40 for a single canvas, and after him
come Edward Redfeld, Edmund Tarbell,
Frank Benson, Carl Melchoir and scores
of others who have arrived at q position
in art which permits them to demand
thousands Of dollars for one picture.
Mural decoration is branch of art
much in favor with Americans. In this
Edwin Abbey also scores a distinct sue
cess, as he has just completed six large
panels ordered for the decoration OF the
house of lords in England. Mural
painting is rapidly becoming popular for
the decoration Of large buildings devoted
to trade .or business purposes. The most
noted examples of mural painting pro-
duced in America during the past year
are the six Typographical landscapes,
each twenty-five by seventy feet in size,
which have been painted by Jules Guer-
In for the adornment of the immense
new station Of the Pennsylvania railroad
In New York. The pictures represent
scenes traversed by the railroad or Its
branches.
Mural painting and stained glass COM
bine well in church decoration. which
has become SO important feature Of
American art development during the
last Quarter of century. francis
Lothrop, Richard Crowinschild and the
late John La Fargo, whose unttmely
death last month was blow to all
American art lovers. are the three pio-
neers responsible for the advance made
in American ecclesiastical art.
La FARCE really invented a new form
of stained glass which is now known in
Europe as
La Fargo Invented A m eric
New Stained Glass. It is univer-
sally acknowledged to be far superior to
anv former creation Of the KIND. In
delicacy and coloring La Farge's win
down excel even the most noted master
pieces of Europe, and his metnods gave
a great impetus to the industry OF man.
ufacturing memorial or decorative WIN
dows.
The manufacture of stained glass may
properly be considered as part of the
arts and crafts work which is the latest
and most practical movement In art de-
yelopment. The arts and crafts move
ment recognizes the value of art artisan.
Tho training for this really includes only
the development In skill In
trades formerly considered mental. The
art schools now teach fine metal work,
pottery and skilled weaving. The re-
suits are art objects OF practical value.
The designing Of patterns for wall
paner. carpets and oilcloths is rapid |
" developing branch Of art having COM |
mercial value. A New York wall paper |
Arm recently paid $4,000 for a single de- |
sign. It was made in New York by a |
sraduate Of an American art school and |
has been reproduced In various color
Combinations and was sold in Europe as
we'll as i'm America. This branch OF art |
seems to appeal especially to women.
The desire of Americans to promote