New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13
HALL, CONNECTICUT STATE N'S00'
crNrvrrvr COxwE>ES IS PUTTING THE FRUIT
OF YEARS OF DEVOTION AND TOLL UPON
AFREsCo IN WETHERsF1ELD CHAPEL,
CARRYING OUT WHAT SHE BELIEVES
TO BE a DIVINE COMMISSION.


difficult There was convict in the room-a
boy, gentle-faced and quiet-spoken. He was
Miss Cowes's assistant, given her by the war
den to grind her colors and move her ladders
and the easels holding her studies.
Occasionally other convicts passed through
as they went about prison tasks. Some OF them
entered heavy-footed and with scowling faces,
but as they saw Miss Cowles. their eyes
fell on her painting, their feet seemed to lift
more lightly and they smiled at her, usually
lingering moment to look at her symbol OF
service for them beginning to emerge from the
great canvas covering the wall back of the
pulpit
The painting is not nearly finished. At
present it consists only of the drawing Of the
landscape and the figures, filled in with warm
pink tint.
"The pink tint is to give warmth to the cold
colors that 1 shall lay on finally" she ex-
planned THE effect of the colors and lights on
the waters and mountains of Galilee seemed
supernatural, and it is that effect am striving
to get The figures Of the fishermen on the
shore of the sea seemed TRANSPORTED, and the
distances seemed to melt away into the rich
coloring.'
THAT STORED MEETING ON THE
SHORE OF LAKE GALILEE.
The picture represents the meeting d Christ
with His disciples on the shores of the Lake
of Galilee after the Resurrection. In the back
ground, across the waters on the northern
shore indistinct in those colorfu melting dis
tances, is the snow-topped summit Of Mount
Her1non, while in the hills near the far shore
are suggested the cities of Capernaum, Chora-
Yin and Bethsaida.
The scene of the picture is taken from the
fifteenth to the eighteenth verse of the twenty
first chapter of St. John. The seven disciples
have just returned from their fruitless fishing,
and at the bidding of Christ they have cast
their net on the right side of the boat and
drawn forth multitude of fishes.
The movement represented is taken from
that moment in the seventeenth verse, just after
Christ has said for the third time to Peter
Lowest thou me?" and Peter replies, Lord
thou knowest all things; thou knowest that l
love thee" and Christ commissions him to 60
forth and feed His sheep.
Christ is shown standing in the centre with
Peter kneeling at his feet. The disciples are
in two groups on the right and left each ex-
pressing in his own way his sense of reverence
and awe at what he sees. 1t is in the theme Of
Christs forgiveness of Peter, selecting him to
go forth and feed His sheep despite his sin OF
denying Him, that the symbolism of hope for
the convicts is presented.
MISS COWLES SUMS UP THE SYMBOL
ISM OF THE PICTURE.
Art" said Miss Cowles, must be for those
who need it most, especially in places of
silence such as prisons The whole picture is
symbolical of hope and courage Peter is on
his knees before our Lord. He has made his
confession. He still remembers his denial Of
Christ and feels his humiliation, but he knees
not only as penitent but one who receives
his conservation to great service. He accepts
his commission to feed Christ's sheep. He is
not on both knees but about to get up. 1t is
not hopeless movement but one OF hope. The
Lord is blessing him. One hand is extended in
benediction and He is looking up, giving thanks
that Peter has accepted His great work, al
though He knows at the end there is the cross.
Not only in this Biblical story has she sought
10 bring 10 the prisoners the lesson of service
10 others, but also in the story OF her own
life OF privation and struggle to realize the
ideal OF her painting. Here is that story,
beginning with her first inspiration to do it, as
she told il herself
HER STORY OF THE INCEPTION OF
HER GREAT WORK.
In 1902 the Rev. Brindley Morgan, rector
OF Christ Church, New Haven, was given sum
of money by his parishoners in gratitude for
his long services. and he decided to use it TO
make Lady Chapel moro beautiful Panels
were to be painted each side the altar iustrat-
ing pre- Christian antiphones, and my twin sis
ter and were commissioned to do the work