The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-20

not Conflde to us in his account of his
method printed as foreword to the
catalogue, and of course he is entitled
to his secret. II Is evident that were he
TO hand over his plates to an ordinary
color printer the latter could no more
print off Simon's effects than could a
present day Japanese print adequately
from the blocks of Hokusai or Togo
kuni.
Most color prints" he writes, ARE
produced by means of several patcs-it
may be three, four, or SIX and | am
OF the opinion that this use of several
plates insures the best results, particu-
larry in regard to richness of color and
harmonious combination of tone. An
even tone on any color plate may be
obtained by the use of aquatint
"a second method involves the use OF
three separate plates, one for each of
the primary colors. In the former
method the inks for complex tones, such
az browns. green's &c. are mixed by
the printer before being applied to the
plate, whereas in this latter method
these complex tints are built up on the
plate from three primary colors.
II often use three or four plates by
the former method when the effect re-
qulrcs IT, but | always reserve one plate
Che last one TO be printed) for the out
line. This serves TO hold together the
principal planes of color and to sys-
tematize the drawing"
In connection with the Picasso ex-
hibition in the gallery Of the Photo
Secession. Mr.. de Iayas. the distin-
ltIiC a.. a rlrinuftirigt 90
play of some rare specimens Of primi-
tive Mexican arts, of which he has made
u study. Speaking of them he said.
Among the primitive arts which are
gradually becoming better known to
us through excavations OF ancient con-
tres OF civilization few have revealed
such remarkable examples as the ancient
Mexican arts. Notable collections. be-
sides the one In the National Museum
in Mexico city, are displayed at the Mu-
scum of Natural History in New York
city. the Peabody Museum of Cam
bridge. Mass. and the Smithsonian In
stitution in Washington.
Few examples are accessible to pri-
vate collectors outside of Mexico OWING
to the stringent rules of the Mexican
Government, which in order To preserve
It's national treasures. prohibits the eX-
porta,ion OF Mexican antiques. Thes"
legal obstacles are supplemented by a
popular superstition that when statues
of the ancient gods leave tho country
bad crops and callmiti's are sure to fol-
low.
The examples here shown belong To
the Nahua and Aztec civilization. Nahua
Is the name given to a group of tribe
akin to the Pueblo Indians, probably
coming from the north. The principal
tribes were tho Toltcc OF Tula, The
Olmec and Totonac Of Vera Cruz, the
Iapotec and Mi2tec OF OaNaca. Tho
N1hua We're later supplanted in tho Val
ley Of Mexico by the Aztec. another tribe
coming from The north. who ruled in
Mexico city at the time of the Spanish
occupation OSLO.
The examples OF the work OF the
ancient MeNicans date prior to the
Spanish occupation OWING To the re-
siraint subsequently imposed upon
them 10y the missionaries who had come
TO convert them to a new faith.
although they worked TO some OK
tent IN metal the early McXicans may he
counted as belonging to the stone age
They were surpassed 10y none i'm their
treatment of stone, not even by the
Egyptians