The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-20
LOUIS G. TIFFANY HOST
AT MASQUE ON BIRTHDAY
Gives Novel Entertainment in His Studios, With Many
Notables in the World of Art and Litera-
ture as His Guests.

Louis C. Tiffany had a birthday yes
terday and celebrated 1t with a party
in his studios at 3i7 Madison avenue.
that will ran az one of the memorable
entertainments Of the winter. Many OF
the hest known figures in the world OF
art. literature and music were invited
to a luncheon. which was followed by
an elaborate and beautiful masque called
The Quest for Beauty" given In an
inpto,lsed playhouse In the upper gal
,ery OF the building.
At the conclusion OF the luncheon j.
Alden weir. president OF the National
Academy. proposed a toast TO the host
and Mr.. Tiffany made a little speech in
return. lie said he ~ould not tell MS
age. but that ne was one or the Oldest
| active academicians. and that IL was
| upon realizing this fact. after loonins
over tine annual year book OF the scad-
| emy, that lie had resolved TO ask MS
fellow artists and friends TO celebrate
his birthday with him.
MIR. TIFFANY spoke OF the general aims
of artists aid paid his respects TO what
Is known As modern arr. Alter as
serting that art was the quest of beauiy.
| he said some artists are drawn aside
from the pursuit Of beauty to WORSHIP
, the idol OF techn.uue ana when he
added. though only a small part or
the effectiveness Of 4, worh u ar can
he credited to technique Augustus
Thomas. the playwright, led tue app
plau-e In which the artists Of The COM
PAM afterWatd iuined.
We've an TrchmiU"r.
1T seems to me- continued Nj. TT
| fany. AS IL tn. artists who place al
their energies on IL, Unique have nothing
left over FOR the more important mater
the puisJ,; OF beauty. the Mod"fn-
lists. as they are called Tor wah' VI
!, better term. wander after curiosti'"s
~ technique. vaguely hoping that they
nay discover some invention when VIII
maxi. them IA NOUS. They do not belong
to Art they are not artists they are
unframed inventors IL processes of the
arts"
For the critics Mr.. Tiffany had this
The public thinks "a critic is a person
who attacks and condemns - efluc
should Toe one who discriminaies
Mr.. rrnany's remarks about modern
art made "A mild sensation. AZ most OF
the artists present were A~cadem!cians
VINO nau tNOhklt lloA ~ W.
occasion from which the pugpesr
modern art" was TO he absolutely
barred. The establishment grew greater
when the masuu" was given III vac
upper galleries. for II was qu!rklN "N-
closed mat the presentation III the pas-
cant had been largely Influenced pE 'ne
modern art % the theatr" - 'naue
f,miliar here by Granville BarNer :
d p,ations OF the Reinhardt and Ballet
Russo productions
The setting was m the manhe'
most daring inuovator Goruoh 'r"s'
The hangings were in so,mbre gray. WIN
a biv circular opening. before which most
Of the action occurred and through wh''n
most of the actors appeared. Throusn
this ,p-n,nv an admirable series OF SKY
, effects were seen. considerations OF STARS
cleaning with perfect realism through
all the changes Of color. An archlt"'-
,ural arrangement OF steps al each sue
n.rmitted the actors In the mas0ue 10
achieve some interesting groups
ChapmtRG POses.
The story. which was quite simple
was a mere thread upon which L" nahs
excuses for charming poses. dances ana
professions. Barbaric man was hu'ca'ea
in GRANVILLE BARKER fashion. with print
tlNeS returning itoNh NV 49,"
bust and primitive steaks suspended 'to"'
poles.
The frs, artist appears. a your VINO
has no interest in the chase. and th'
dissatisfaction OF the tribe with this ldle'
10 made apparent. His end would nave
be.n spcedv had not. at the last agoniz'
ing moment - woman interfer"d. WIG
"hy the sheer power OF her beauty an"
viil' compelled the chief Of the clan 10
spare the young poets life. "hcn the
poet slept. a moment later. the hgur"s
that appeared in his vision constituted
! the most charming part Of the masuue
An exceedingly graceful young woman
! welcomed the various personincat!ons o'
> the materials. precious and selni-prrcious
: that artists have from time imnlemora
used in their work, .
B At the end there was q symbolic 'out'
Indicating one OF the chief Interests o'
Mr.. TIFFANY az an Artist. when from al
his wealth Of material a youth called
Glass and a pretty smiling girl appearec
enclosed IN a crystal globe.
The costumes W the participants were
varied and handsome. and every pictoria
=. arrangements OF the changing g!oups r"
ceived hearty applause. At The c"nclu
sion OF the performance an opportunity
was given for an inspection "t Mr.. tn
fany's paintings. a retrospective eAhsbi
{ zion OF which adorned the walls Of tn
r gallery.
The Gursts.