Putnam patriot., 1928-11-28

Attr@ ftftHf Eh @Htft@N~N Ffff'' New York was the first woman to gain recognition as an artist in Connecticut and the first in the country to be hon ored by election to membership in the National Academy of Dcaign. She was born in Pomfret in lf9y. Her election was brought about by the beautiful painting Of the graceful Greek captive Garafelia Mohalbi. She was member of family distinguish ed for their love of art. At an early age she cut figures from paper and nodded figures in wax. creating birds, flowers and fruit. which were wonder fully colored by her, 80 unlike the usu- al daubing of color or paints So much enjoyed by children.
 About 1920 Miss Hall removed to New York City, where her fame be- came established. Her cherub faces of children, her miniature painting on ivory, her exquisite colorings gave deli cacy and character to her work. Gar afelia Mohaibi, the lovely Greek girl taken captive during the war with the Turks. and ransomed in 1927 by a Boston merchant and brought to this country, was among her distinguished suhjects~~one of the especial ceiebri- ties of the time.
 Miss Hall, the first woman artist in the state of Connecticut, died in New | ork in 1865 Success or honor is frequently judged by dollars and cents. ln those days when money was not 50 common as now some of her groups which won fame were appraised for the large sum of five hundred dollars. In the marvellous development of mod. ern art, she was distinguished but remained unaffected in character, modest and retiring" never wishing for publicity, always A.. sympathetie counsellor to young struggling Ameri- can nrtists A contemporary account of the child Garafelia, to that told by an old lady born in 1921, appeared in the Juvenile Miscellany in September 1927. (The Juvenile Miscellany was the first American Magazine for ehil- dren). This graceful bluefyed beauty with waving hair was child much talked over in her time but probably there are few living who are familiar with the story--iirst hand.
 "American children would have liked to see her in the costume of her native country. green velvet tunic was fitted close to her round. pretty fig ure; over this full dress of gold tis- sue fell in ample folds to her feet. A green turban, embroidered with gold, was adorned with q single feather, wh ch bent forward a little, and shad- d one side of her foreheaA A gauge veil. checked with alternate gold and green, peeped under the feather. and fell carelessly on her shoulder Her Grccian trousers were fastened at the ankle with bracelets of gold; and her little green shoe was ornamentel with the same rich metal" One hopes this was not the child's daily costumel
 People of Wealth
 Garafelia's parents seem lo have been people of wealth and ps .ian After describing her happy life a.th them, the writer continues: "R the poor little Greek girl was mol to be so happy long. Her nation was under They would cause the Greeks, heads to be cut off and sell their daughters for slaves, even when they committed no crime which deserved punishment. The Greeks had descended from an ancient and brave peopie, and they would not bear such treatment" Gar afelia sew her father unsheath his sword She begged him not to leave her and her mother, but he could not stay. for the Turks were only half mile from the town.
 Garafelia's father was brought back from the battle dying. After heart-rending description of his death, the story continues. But though the little Greek girl was very wretched she did not forget that she had. a Parent in heaven. She knelt with her mother by the side of the dead. and prayed to God to look down in mercy on them Alas, they had little reason to hope for mercy 'om man. Before many hours had passed the soldiers, with looks of horror, came Co tell them that they must escape from home--for the Turks had gained possession of the town. . Her mother seized her in her arms and followed a multitude of Grecian wom- en, who were on their way to a strong castle at the opposite end of the town. When the women and childres were all in that large building. the doors were fastened, and the Greek soldiers sta toned themselves around it. resolving to fight for wives, widows and orphans as long as there WAS q man among them who had life to give away. But it was all in vain. The Turks had twenty times their nunbers-and they rushed into the castle over their dying bodies.
 It is interesting to note that the Americans a hundred years age were