The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-11

the mass value is subtly abetted by
the thoughtful placement of decora-
tive detail. In many studies. the final
effect was obtained by immersing the
plaster cast in water. and carving
thereupon the most fastidious OF the
subsidiary ornamentation. Results
thus gained lend to the finished work
a rich quality seldom found in the
sculptor. The japanese are equally
conscious of detail. but in general. use
it for its own sake, as obvious decora-
ton. rather than as an intrinsic and
inseparable adjunct of the mass
I.aessle believes that every mark
placed by nature upon the surface of
the animal has a compositions. func-
ton, and that perfection in mass val
uses can only be obtained thru a thoro
mastery of all ordinary contributory
agencies. Thus. detail becomes some
thing more than detail in its inter-
relation with mass This doctrine is
obviously at variance with many a
contemporary who believes that true
mass can be gained thru the elimina-
ton of that same detail.
Nothing, however, could be more
simple in. effect than the group of
THE Penguins." Here, the sculptor
has chosen a study in ungainIy masses.
and has rendered it, not only beauu-
full. but human. The humor of the
two birds-their heads coyly adjacent,
and their great fat bodies rhythmical
in mutual relationships triumph in
the art of composition, and triumph,
also, in color sculpture. Color is too
often considered a painters preroga-
tive; in sculpture, it is not applied
with the brush, but thru mass ar
rangement, it becomes the natural re-
suit of form. In 1.-THE Penguins'
there are the roundlight masses of the
breast structure, the sleek back. and
here and there an accentuating shad-
nf NV q V-ff il
trickery, but thru the actual placing
of mass and detail.
The same humor found in "The
Penguins' may be traced thru the
smaller studies-in THE Contented
Hoptoad." or the frog scratching his
head. Then there is Billy" for a
number of years the daily companion
of children in Rittenhouse Square.
Philadelphia. where the half butting
goat, with his bristling back has been
worn smooth by many a rider.
There is a certain formality in the
strutting Bronze Turkey" and a
grim. dramatic determination in the
forward stride of Victory, the
American eagle. The most decorative
of the bronzes, however, is the unique
''Kingfisher,' mounted on an old
twisted root, and carrying in its beak
a gilded fish. Both here, and in THE
Heron and Fish," the sleek tho varied
texture of the feather masses is in
sharp contrast to the elegance of the
turkey or the full rotundity of The
Penguins.'' r
This article is especially interesting
to the writer of this column. for altho
he has seen Albert Laessles name
many times IN the art reviews of re-
cent years, he realized for the first
time that aessle was one of his most
intimate student chums at the Spring
Garden Institute in Philadelphia,
many many years ago. Both of us
were also members of a boys sketch
ing club and used to spend our holt
days and I am afraid, many of our
Sundays also, in beautiful Paramount
park and in the interesting country
adjacent to Philadelphia, endeavoring
to transfer to paper or canvas the
lovely scenery that you so often see
portrayed by Mrs. Coppedge and
others.