Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09
By LEILA MECHLIN.

~ acter ana exceptional t1tereS
"A has lately found permanent
4 A place here in Washington. Thi
Is series of four mural hang
tngs painted by j. Monroe Hewlett o
New York as decorations for the bacl
OF the stage in Constitution Hall
These hangings were placed less thar
a fortnight ago and greeted the eye.
OF concertgoers for the first time wher
the latest Of the series of philharmonic
orchestra concerts was given. They
occupy the entire back of the stage
where previously we're dark-blue hang.
tngs, and they beautifully complete
enrich and unity the general decorative
scheme for the hall.
The appearance is of looking out
through long windows at people ano
buildings, not too near nor yet too far
The figures have the appearance Of
being life size, the general tone is sub
oued, the effect atmospheric. They dc
not intrude.
These panels are painted on coarse
linen In tempera. a medium much used
in Revolutionary days to produce
painted tapestries" which are now
known by the name of fracture paint
ings" In old descriptions of interior
decorations of the Colonial period such
paintings are frequently referred to as
tapestries, but of course, real tapestry
Is woven not painted.
The four panels in Constitution Hall
represent, from left to right, four
Colonial cities - Boston, New York.
Philadelphia and Charleston-and show
that through similarity of architectural
design these cities were harmonious.
The first panel to the left represents
Boston. In the foreground are a group
Of figures representing DR.. Joseph War
rem, DR.. Samuel Prescott, Samuel
Adams, William Dawes, Paul Revere,
Miss Dorothy Quincy (fiancee of John
Hancock) and Hancock himself. AS a
background in this panel the old State
House appears and in the distance one
sees the harbor shipping, with just a
suggestive glimpse Of the Boston tea
party. Below this panel tablet bears
the date April 19, IT'S.
The second panel is Of New York.
Here the foreground group of figures
includes Roger Sherman, Gen. Knox,
Washington Irving as q child aged g.,
washington, Secretary of State Otis,
Charles Livingstone, John Adams, Alex
ander Hamilton, Baron Steuben. Rich
ard Henry Lee and John Jay, assembled
for the Inauguration of Washington as
the first President of the Republic, April
80, 1889. At the background is depicted
Federal Hall, at the head of Wall street.
upon the balcony Of which Washington
took the oath Of ofice.
The th,-d panel represents Philadel-
phia, with Independence Hall given
conspicuous placement. Thomas JEFF
ferson is shown reading to a group a
draft Of the Declaration of Independ-
ence. Others represented are Mrs.
Robert Morris. Edward Rutledge, Mar
tina Washington, Robert Morris, jr., q
child Of 6; John Hancock, Oliver VOL
colt, Benjamin Franklin, Lewis Morris
and Charles Carroll.
The fourth and last panel is of
Charleston. The figures are Mrs. Eliza
Ptnckney, Charles CoteSworth Pinckney,
Rebecca Motto, Arthur Middleton, Col
Moultrie, receiving congratulations upon
his triumph at the battle of Sullivan
Island, subsequently the site of Fort
Moultrie; Henry Laurens, Francis
Marion, John Rutledge and Christopher
Gadsden. In the background is shown
the old Custom House, now headquarters
OF the local chapter of the Daughters
beneath this panel Is January %, l776,
that Of the battle of Sullivan Island.
Above the panels is q frieze contain
ing the names of the IS colonies ar
ranged geographically from North to
South to correspond with the subjects
delineated below, and above the cornice
is q painted lunette portraying the
various revolutionary battle flags. some
OF which were instrumental in the
adoption OF the design for the National
ensign.
In Constitution Hall will be held not
only meetings Of the Society of the
Daughters of the American Revolution
out concerts generally, and this beau
ttful and significant painting will per-
nanently add to the pleasure of those
hearing music in this hall. 1t Is q
valuable acquisition to Washington.
Mr.. Hewlett is distinguished not only
as mural painter. but as an archi-
tect, member Of the firm of Lord &
Hewlett, fellow of the American Insti-
tute of Architects, a member of the
New York Architectural League and
the Society of Mural Painters The
beautiful pageant, held at the time the
American Institute Of Architects gold
medal Of honor was presented to Henry
mortal, on the steps of the Memorial.
was planned by him, and in matters of
pageantry or decoration his services are
In much demand.
Among his best known works are
mural paintings in the Carnegie Tech
nical School, Pittsburgh; the Cornell
Theater, Ithaca. N. Y, and the Column
bia University Club, New York City.
u X
IA T the Library Of Congress there has
lately been placed on view in the
south curtain hall. on the second floor,
q collection Of Photographic studies by
Frances Benjamin Johnston, constitut-
ing q pictorial survey of the archi-
lecture and gardens Of old Frederics-
burg, old Falmouth and other nearby
Virginia places.
This exhibition is notable for several