Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-12

Commission appointed to inspect air the i'm.
rorted acreage Of statuary, .vestments, orna
ments and stained glass which are allowed
free entry as works of art.
Much Trash Brought In
1T is little short of criminal to permit the
tawdry trash which comes by the shipload to
enter at all, much less duty y-free. Our
duction OF windows and the only thing to be
said in its favor is that it is cheap. 1 was
amazed last summer while in Chartres,
France, studying the fine old glass Of the
thirteenth century in the cathedral there,
thedral. New York City, some of the wora
glass in America today, was made there.
under the very shadow Of this cathedral, the
greatest treasure house Of ancient and me.
dieval glass in the world
"The same is true of England. Look ~
the stuff which comes from there to 'adorn'
our churches. stupidity designed vestments.
anemically conceived windows filled with
stained glass attitudes and stained glass
faces with about as much feeling and ex.
preston as the average cigar store Indian
OF past days. On the whole, it is skillfully
executed, but there is nothing vital. The
most important thing Of all--color--is the
most lacking. As result, their windows
are cold and thin transparencics. washed out
ana sickly. We cannot hope for anything
better from them as the Anglo Saxon has
never been noted as colorist. Appreciation
OF color possibilities is a racial character
istic and we must 60 to the Oriental or Latin
1or Its fullest expression.
Forgetting the Past
Tho European craftsmen. like their
arcnltects, are apparently in search of the
new, but are going about It in the doubtful
manner OF first forgetting the glories of the
past. We, in the United States, on the
contrary. are attempting new expressions.
hut tney are based upon the old and proved
traditions; in other words, we believe that
art Is carrying on process, an evolution,
not Il revolution.
I'VE artistic craftsmen are also OF tb. he.
ief that the best art is that which has be.
hind 1t definite purpose for its existence
J feel that landscape especially executed
for an overmantel is bound to be better than
the ono painted for no one purpose or for no
one person. An artist Is certain to do better
WORK when inspired by special surroundings.
the color scheme Of a room, tho lighting
scale and attractiveness OF the subject wbjrL
after all must make Its appeal to the persons
who are to live with it.
we must realize that at least 90 per cent
"a o,,anto tnt mne ola work now in the hands Of
collectors was made for definite plnce
purpose and person. The average artist to.
day mas gone mad from the smell Of oil paint
and nothing is worthy of attention excent
something for the next show, although some.
times he must of necessity use The sam.
frame and occasionally, for lack Of funds, the
same canvas. Wv
III hope that there will be a change Of
heart and that We will use our talents for
the requirements Of the common people m.
Kitchen utensils Of the ancient Greeks and
Romans have deservedly found their wav to
our museums because Of their beauty: ours
hnd their way, and just as deseryediv So.
10 the dump. but as art made permanent
BUT 1t must be made the servant of dailv nse
our life" p''"''u iiotl