New-York tribune., 1922-09-10
Work of the Late II. Walter
Taylor and Joseph c. Coll
Memorial Tributes to Illustrator of Varied Ac-
complshments and Fellow Philadelphia
Draughtsman at the Art Center

Clement Coll just opened at the Art
Center, Is worthy recognition OF two
representative figures in American IL
lustration on. the part of their fellows.
Under the joint auspices of the Ameri-
can Institute of Graphic Arts. the So
ciety Of illustrators and the Art Di-
rectors' Club, full selection of draw
ings typical of both men are arranged
throughout the main and first floor
galleries.
It was an unfortunate coincidence
for American art that the deaths about
year ago of these two Philadclphians,
known to many through their produc-
tions in leading native magazines, were
recorded almost within the same week.
And 1t is appropriate that they, per-
sonal friends, residents of the same
locality and both illustrators of high
attainments, should receive this COM
mon recognition.
With Taylor 1t was not illustration
alone that occupied his hand and
thoughts. He sought breadth of ex-
preston through the rendering of nu-
merous studies of the nude, through
portraits, these in his accepted medium
of charcoal or chalk, and oils, sin which
medium he appeared less secure. Ex-
amples of each group are entered in
the exhibition. Illustrations, however,
naturally are predominant. Taylor for
years had concentrated his deepest
feelings for art upon this medium. He
loved illustration, and following, as he
did, in the footsteps of the early
craftsmen who contributed to Scrib-
ner's and Harper's, he cherished the re-
membrance of their fame.
There are nearly hundred large
plates among Taylor's illustrations,
things strongly and fully presented and
abundant in tonal quality. He is given
only here and there to such gentle
nuances Of expression as characterize
the radiant composition of two women
in the costume of the early nineteenth
century, one Of series done for Mar
garet Deland's "The Iron Woman
More typical, perhaps, are others which
deal with mass and in which express
siveness is evoked by subtle modula-
ttoDs of tone and contrasts. Through
out Taylor characterizes himself as an
artist of sincerity, of love for and un-
derstanding Of the gentler things.
Leisurely in action, refined, somewhat
homely in conception, his illustrations
never strain for effect. They never
reveal tricks or mere cleverness. Ex-
cellent examples of his art at his best
are "The Strange Old Woman" char
acter type with a basket and shawl,
harboring suspicion in the furtive
glance of her eyes; a female figure
bent despairingly over table, one of
prize-winning group in the Panama
Pacific Exposition, and a wartime al
legory representing sacrifice.
| OF the paintings "The Ballet" "The
Satyrs" and several small glimpses Of
formal French gardens reflect the illus
traitors aptitude at composition and
relative values. A background of tree
scape in one instance is an expert note
in tone variation.
An exhibition by itself is the room
containing sketches in the nude. Here
Mr.. Taylor, with scholars frame of
mind, attacks variety Of problems in
1
anatomy. But they appear rather a
solution than any fumbling after or
even methodic pursuance of a special
end. Whether he achieves this by q
process of modelling with his chalk,
rather than through simplified linear
treatment, Is not. the whole concern.
There is beauty of suggested line about
these figures, while their contour, how
ever difficult the pose, is graceful
Joseph Clement Coll shows a certain
fiuency in his pen drawing that seems
welcome contrast with the angular
brittleness Of style common to many
recent workers in this medium. He has
q certain dash and gusto about his
work which do not, however, oblit-
crate the charm in his frequently
fragile lines. A strong feeling for
Characterization also Is an aid to him,
and large page of sketches for "oliver
Twist" is brinming in that respect.
There is series of drawings for "Sir
Nigel" too, that is spirited and rich
in personality.
This personality Of Coils seems to
have harbored good deal of the ad-
venturesome. More romantic, perhaps,
than his colleague, he put into his work
rich atmosphere and virulent action.
One of his drawings shows great
gala ballroom fairly rampant with
movement. Great types of history and
fiction seem to have held his attention
and his portrayals of these are always
impressive and colorful. Here and
there, in the death-like repose of a
figure, is suggestion Of the manner
of Gortuny, of whom he was an un-
doubted admirer. In some of Mr..
Coils more resigned and decorative
subjects he employs sinuous, drift
ing line, lending kind of evanescent
charm to his work. He is singularly
variable, however, and his method
sometimes shifts from one of peculiar
and attractive freedom to the extreme