The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-02-05
HOUSEHOLD EXHIBIT
COMES TO CLOSE
Mrs. M. F. Johnston Speaks
At Last Meeting on
Tapestry"

As fitting close of the exhibit of
household decorations held for the
past fortnight at the public art gallery
the Domestic Science association held
an open meeting yesterday. Mrs. NJ
r. Johnston, former preside of the
Art association, and who is well vers-
ed in all matters pertaining to art,
was the principal speaker She was
introduced by Mrs. Benton Addington,
who presided
Tapestry" was Mrs. Jomston's sub
5ect. which she presented in a clear
and concise manner. In the beginning
she said she wanted to congratulate
the Domestic Science association for
having such an exhibit.
1T is surely one of the most won
derful / have ever seen, and l have
seen many" she said"
Work of Miners Wives.
The first work in the way Of en-
broidery was done by miners wives,
and the work IS typical of woman and
shows how art is taking hold of Amer
icans. Much of the pottery on exhi-
bition here was done by girls of Bos-
ton. Many of the things in this ex-
hibit were first originated in the minds
of women.
Amy subject in art is the history
OF civilization and means what was
said and done since time" said she
The subject of weaving began after
Adam and Eve. so you see it is moth
ing new. At first pictures were woven
into tapestry and in way portrayed
the thoughts and feelings Of the peo-
PIE of those times. This is demon
strated in the work of the Greeks.
Helen Of Troy was noted for her
weaving. Nearly all the weaving in
the early days was done by women
Tapestry is indeed the thought, feeling
and ideas put into tangible form, and
the American people are gaining no
toriety in this line of work 1t is
silk and wool woven into beautiful
story. Nearly all Of the old tapes
tries were kept in the monasteries as
the monasteries were thought to be
safe places. Some of the tapestries
of this time were made by monks, but
women did the most Of the embroid-
cry work. 1t was all well done then
as now when it comes to technique.
Demand Increases.
After the Crusaders came the Won
derful wealth of color and a demand
was found for all tapestries.
These beautiful hangings were the
rich mans indulgence. When the
queen of France went to Paris the en-
tire way was hung with these mag
niicent tapestries. All wealthy fam
flies had them. Perhaps the most
beautiful ones were made in Paris in
the Thirteenth century, and were
known as Gothic tapestries. It re-
nuired several years of labor to make
them. Later many of these wonder
full tapestries, during the decadence in
this line of art. were sold for a mere
pittance. However. some Of them
were preserved and have been placed
in cathedrals in France. In the mu-
seums in New York are also beauti-
full ones. The Gothic designs express
the child-like faith that was the re-
1igion of those days. Faith was a
real thing, and the drawing put into
the tapestries are without pretense,
and are flat and suitable for wall
hang1ngs. Fiat drawings are always
the best for wall decorations, as they
do not detract from the wall itself
in Boston, New York and Chicago
are many illustrations OF the fat tap
estries, for they just cover the sur
face plea sanity and make a beautiful
decoration. Perhaps the highest
Gothic perfection was carried out in
BRUSSELS. After the Renaissance ev-
erything changed and centered about
Raphael and was most llXuriant Pc
Rod. The tapestries from this time
on were more beautiful, better woven
and in every way more luxuriant. 1t
the Sixteenth century the tapestries
had beautiful borders. From this time
on many more colors were in evidence
in the work. Much credit is due Will
liam Morris, when it comes to reviv-
ing the old tapestries of the middle
ages. He spent much time in this
work. He was graduated from Oxford,
England, and spent an hour each day
in his own room weaving. Burn
Jones made all of his designs"
Sums Up Kind Of Art.
Mrs Johnston also gave short &C
count OF the principals Of weaving.
She said that in summing up all kinds
of art one might say thing was arts