Evening star., 1936-07-11
ART WORK SUPERB
Abbey's Paintings at Corcoran Notable
Examples of Talent He Devoted to
Vividness in Classic Themes.

was very true. and today. too, often
disregarded.
A BBEY sprang into fame when his
pen-and-ink illustrations for Her
rick's poems were published. Immedi-
ately his publishers commissioned SINH
lar illustrations for "She Stoops to
Conquer" To gather material and es-
tablish his facts for this work Abbey
went to England, and thenceforth he
made his home In that country. There
was continuing demand for illustra-
tions Of English classics. These draw
ings appeared In books and American
magazines, and had fascination all
their own, which they still retain.
Then began his illustration of Shake
spearian characters. His home was in
the Shakespeare country: opportunities
for study and research, as well as pic
torial setting. we're close at hand. AS
the years passed he gave more and
more attention to painting. He was
made welcome In the Royal Academy
and was commissioned by the crown to
paint the official picture of the corona
ton Of Edward VII. To this period
belong the two paintings in the Cor
coran Gallery Of Art, acquired by the
late Senator Clark, as well as the
king Lear" In the Metropolitan Mu-
scum, New York, and The Penance of
Eleanor" in the Carnegie Institute,
Pittsburgh.
Sylvia" is q canvas, feet by 4
feet in dimensions, and similar in
colorful quality to THE Trial of
Queen Caterine," but much less elab-
crate In composition. The most fair
lady is seen approaching, richly
gowned. Behind are shadowy figures
Of musicians-the same, no doubt,
who sang beneath her window the
song which runs:
who is Sylvia? What is she,
That all our SWANS commend her?
Holy. fair and wise is she;
The heavens such grace did lend
her
That she might admired be-"
To the right stands her adoring
lover, hat in hand, head bent in ado
|
bearer. The composition is well bal
anced and the figure of Sylvia has
much quiet dignity.
After all, why should not art take
us to new worlds, increase our
knowledge, extend our experience Of
beauty? The tendency today is, both
in art and in literature. to show us
contemporary life at its worst, not
its best, and to emphasize ugly facts,
which bear down upon us. Lord Fair
fax, formerly viceroy of India and
now lord privy seal, at a recent din
ner Of the Royal Literary Fund, in
London, Is quoted as saying that,
whereas so or less years ago 1t was
the habit Of writer's to present the
ideal qualities Of human nature, which
were inspiring and stimulating-'lik
living with some one a bit better than
oneself'-the tendency now Is to put
human nature on the slab of the dis
Secting room or under the microscope
IN order that its ugly side can be OBJ
served-which, to say the least, is
not cheerful. To a measure this is
equally true Of art. Alfred Noyes
called it substituting "the superficial
facts OF death for the eternal verities
Of hfe," which comes pretty near the
truth. Abbey was to q degree an
idealist-a lover Of beauty-but he
took the greatest care to search out
the eternal verities," and 1t Is for
this reason that his drawings and
paintings hold their interest and their
places.
A AFTER producing the "Holy Grail'
series for the Public Library in
Boston. he was commissioned by his
own State, Pennsylvania, to paint
eight mural decorations for the State
Capitol In Harrisburg These were
finished and sent to this country in
1908. This was to mis- mind the
croWning work Of his life, and he gave
himself to it with utmost zeal and
enthusiasm for the work itself, and
with not little patriotism. These
decorations have historical signifi-
canoe, they glorify the State and those
who have made it, but they reach out
toward the commemorative
that which is most noble, they would
inspire to higher living.
1t is said Of Abbey that he was :.in
love with his work." and one can well
believe it. 1t was for that very rea-
son that he neither begrudged nor
spared effort. But he was not i'm
practical nor without common sense.
In conversation with q friend. he
once warned against the danger of
making too many preliminary studies
Tor composition-a danger which he
nkened to overtraining for a race. He
Is said to have been very gay and
hkable"-"the most genial and loyable
fellow imaginable" With all his
strength and with all his conscience
ne strove for q reality that would
touch men, making them think and
Ieel. When he died In London on
August 1, 1911, John Sargent was at
his bedside, hurrying back from a
holiday trip. at the summons of Mrs.
Abbey, to render the last service of
tender regard to his colleague and
close friend. The fortune which Alb
Dey amaSSed through his work was
left for the advancement of the art
OF mural painting and mural paint
ers In the English-speaking world
Carnegie Institute
Gets Paintings by KroH.
THROUGH the Patrons Art Fund
Leon Krons painting, Morning
on the Cape" has been purchased for
the permanent collection Of the Car
negie Institute. Pittsburgh. This
painting was given prominent place.
ment in the Corcoran Gallery of Arts
most recent biennial exhibition. and
when shown in the Carnegie Institutes
1885 international received acclaim.
It was painted at Folly Cove. Cape
Ann, in the studio belonging to Miss
Ellen Day Hale, and for one Of the
principal figures In the composition
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