Evening star., 1939-06-25

AAuAAoAAA6 Ao1Co, d1lu OClIlS SOIllcIIllIlS
of an epicure, "a fat swan he liked
best of any roast" The Franklin
seems to have attained most dis
tinction by the whiteness of his
beard, but the Wife of Bath was
certainly a character and one who
relieved solemnity. She was, it ap-
pears, very dressy lady, much
travelled. a little deaf, a talker, full
OF laughter and sharp retort-
something of f1irt-well acquaint-
ed with the "art" of love and know
Ing many remedies therefore.
Parson Is Beloved.
Quite different in character are
the next pair, riding side by side, the
Parson and the Plowman. OF all
the characters in the Canterbury
Tales" the Parson is perhaps the
most beloved. ITO draw folk to
heaven by fairness and good ex-
ample was his business
"Christ's law, and His apostles
twelve,
He taught, but first he followed 1t
himself"
The Plowman, riding by his side
on a mare, was his brother and of
no less good repute. God loved he
best with all his whole heart, but
withal he lived in peace and perfect
charity" The coat he wears is the
"tabard" from which the Inn took
its name
Held together by common in
terest in their occupations are the
three colorful figures that follow.
These are the Weaver, the Dyer and
the Arras-maker-craftsmen in high
standing and favor in the late 14th
century. Artistically this is an es-
pecially happy composition, de-
tached and yet a piece with the
whole. Less unified but engaging
because of differentiation are the
mounted Carpenter, Haberdasher
and Cook, who string along, each
for himself, as those who ride near
the end of parade are apt to do.
The Carpenter has something to
say to the Cook, who seems to take
1T rather sourly, while the Haber-
dasher smiles to himself with an
air OF superior indifference. After
these we make the acquaintance of
two officers of the law, the Sum-
moner and the Pardoner, the for
mer with "fre-red face like a
cherubin,' quick and chirpy as a
sparrow" the latter youthful, gen.
tie and rather self -effacing, straight
come from the court at Rome, full
OF loud song" beardless. And lastly
the Reve, a slender, choleric man,
overseer OF his lords focks and
herds and other possessions, faith
ful, trustworthy, gravely silent.
Service Rendered.
The characters which Chaucer
gave to these pilgrims on the road
to Canterbury, Ezra Winter has ad-
mlrably illustrated and made known
anew in his mural paintings. In so
doing he has rendered a great serv-
ice, but not for moment should
1t be thought that as large-size il
Illustrations they attain most signifi-
canoe. First and always they func-
ton as decorations, beautifying the
room in which they have been
placed, lending decoration. Second
arily, they turn us back to Chaucer
and retell his immortal story. Truth
and artistic conception and exc
cution here go hand in hand as
they always have when art has
attained to considerable heights.
and always will.
Artists Achievements.
But, coming down to the present
some will be asking who is Ezra
Winter and what else has he done?
First and foremost, he is one of
our academy in Rome men and has
given himself entirely to mural
painting-an art in itself. Born
in Michigan in 1886, he went first
to the High School in Traverse
City and then to Olivett College.
His art education was begun in
the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts
in 10000. In 1911 he won q fell
lowship in painting in the American
Academy in Rome which gave him
two years abroad and opportunity
for travel.
After his return to this country
his first important commission was
for mural decorations in the great
hall and vestibule of the Cunard
Building, New York. Later he ex-
ecuted murals for Kilburn Hall and
the Eastman Theater, Rochester.
N. Y; the trading room Of the New
York Cotton Exchange; Willard
Straight Hall, Cornell University;
the ceiling of great auditorium,
United States Chamber of Com
merce Building in Washington;
three domes of the Industrial Trust
Building, Providence, r. l.; six pam
els illustrating the history of New
York for the Bank of Manhattan
Trust Co., and grand foyer, Interna-
tional Music Hall, Rockefeller Cen.
ter. New York. not to name all.