Evening star., 1940-09-08
Events the World of Art and Music of Interest Wasngonian
Development of Science Is Interpreted
In Paintings Dedicated to Franklin
Thornton Oakley'S
Murals Adorn Hall
In Philadelphia
BY Leila MechIin.


1t is interesting to know that
while so many mural paintings are
being produced through Government
patronage. not a few are also being
commissioned by public institutions
and through the beneflcence of pri-
vate donors.
An outstanding instance of the
latter Cmurals for a privately en-
dowed institution is the series of
panels painted by Thornton Oakley
for the lecture hall of the Franklin
Institute, Philadelphia. In these
panels, the artist has interpreted
pictorially the development of science
from the days of alchemy to those of
Benjamin Franklin, as a memorial
to one for whom the Franklin Insti-
tute, with its far-reaching activities,
stands.
In each panel, the theme is SYM
bolized by single figure, surrounded
by such elements, instruments, or
insignia as may best typify achieve
ment in the particular field repre-
sented
In the first panel, standing for
ALCHEMY -Astrology," use is made
of symbols instead of a historical
figure, or dates. A nameless, beard
ed sage is seen at full length, with
one hand pointing to the Book of
knowledge and the other claSping
the neck of retort, from which
some liquid magically distilled.
flows. To the left is a skull to the
right a pair of bellows. On both
sides flames mount upward until
they seem almost to touch the sky
with its luminous heavenly bodies
In this. as in the complete series, the
treatment is simple and fiat, but the
effect is most impressive, the color
ing magnificent.
The figure in the second panel is
Copernicus l474-1543), Polish phil
osopher and monk. who opened to
us the doors of astronomy, teaching
that the sun, rather than the earth,
is the center of the universe. Beside
him is a celestial globe, which shows
on it's surface the stars as they
would appear from the earth, look
ing up. Against a wall hangs what
may easily be recognized as his origi-
nal conception of the solar system
since proved correct. In the back
ground, through Gothic tracery,
bit of the sky appears,
Galileo at Tower.
Then comes Calico Q564-1642),
astronomer and mathematician, in
the picturesque costume of his day
in Pisa, standing before the Lean
ing Tower holding a telescope un-
der his right arm and in his left
hand the string of a pendulum
Thus the onlooker is reminded that
Calico conceived the use of SIM
pie pendulum for the measurement
of time, and that he was, more
over. the first to use the telescope
to study the heavenly bodies. The
Leaning Tower was introduced in
this panel because he used it in
his eXperipents on the velocity of
falling bodies.
Fourth in this distinguished
gathering is Isaac Newton Q642-
1727. He is pictured in his garden
at Woolsthorpe, because tradition
has it that there a falling apple
led to the discovery of the force
of gravitation. Also, we are re-
minded that it was Newton who
discovered the binomial theorem,
the methods of tangents, and dem
onstrated by means of a prism that
white light is but a combination Of
various colors.
These four panels are on the
south wall. well placed to the right
of those seated when the hall is in
Use. The additional two are on
the east wall They are of Ben
jamin Franklin flying his kite in
order to prove that lightning and
electricity are one and the same.
They have a local setting and an
inscription quoted from Turgot,
contemporary French statesman:
He tore the lightning from the
sky and the scepter from the ty-
rants"
In these paintings, Mr.. Oakley
has" it is truly said, achieved the
three characteristics which he be-
heves essential for mural painting:
First. historical accuracy; second,
fatness whereby visual illusion does
not destroy architectural solidity,
and third, spiritual message
whereby the beholder forgets the
transitory and is led into realiza-
ton of the mystery and the majes-
ty of creation" This sets a high
standard. but not too high, for what
Is art If not to lead us onward and
upward? To do this, obviously it
must be logical, true and signifi-
cant. 1t must speak in unequivocaI
terms and of things worth remem-
bering-but simply and with con-
yiction.
Mr.. Oakley found the theme for
this series of mural paintings in the
"Meditations of Marcus Aurelius"
(Book VIII, Sec. g., as follows
"One universe made up of all
things; and one God in all, and one
principal Of being, and one law. one
reason, shared by all thinking crea-
lures, and one truth"
Expression of Ideals.
Very rightly it was said, in the
Franklin Institute News. at the
time the first three of these six
mural paintings were placed, that
by their order, symmetry, harmony
and colorful splendor. they give such
apt expression to human ideals of
natural beauty as to elicit esthetic
enjoyment in high degree, reveal
ing him as faithful student and
adnirer of all natural beauty, one
who studies the latter not merely to
aim at exact reproduction, but to
draw forth his inspirations and
ideals.
That Thornton Oakley has at
tanned this outstanding success in
the at present much overcrowded
field of mural painting, would per-
haps seem the more remarkable
when it is remembered that he has
principally achieved note through
his Illustrations the ma ioritv of