DOI issue:
The International Studio (June, 1908)
DOI article:Fosdick, J. William: The seventh annual exhibition of the Municipal Art Society of New York
DOI Page / Citation link: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.28254#0503
Municipal Art
ATTRIBUTES OF THE ARTS
BY ALBERT HERTER
An interesting piece of interior arrangement and
decoration is the men’s reading room of the Roswell
P. Flower Memorial Library at Watertown, N. Y.,
of which work Mr. C. R. Lamb is architect, the
mural decorations having been executed by Mr.
William Walton.
The low-toned woodwork, combined with Mr.
Walton’s mural paintings, present a scheme of
color and construction admirably suited to the
place and purpose for which it was designed.
The inhabitants of Watertown have to thank the
daughter of the late Governor Flower, Mrs. John
B. Taylor, for this and many other artistic improve-
ments which are constantly under way in this
already beautiful building.
A huge decoration is that of Mr. Francis Newton,
The Rattle Watch, the first police force of Manhat-
tan Island, established by Peter Stuyvesant in 1650.
This decoration—5 feet by 26 feet—is to be placed
above the judges’ bench in the trial room of the
new Police Headquarters.
As is often the case with Mr. Abbey’s decorations,
this work of Mr. Newton’s is more pictorial than
conventionally decorative, but the artist justly
states: “I felt that the canvas had to be painted
somewhat realistically because the subject was a
real event in our local history, and its historical
value and force would have been sacrificed if it had
been too much conventionalized.” In the treat-
ment of his large masses and judicious distribution
of color, Mr. Newton has produced a painting not
only historic, but decorative as well.
Believing absolutely that the practical art educa-
tion of the masses which go to make up the popula-
tion of Greater New York must come through
the design and handicraft courses in our public
schools, we would call attention to the exhibit of
the Arts and Crafts clubs of the public schools,
which include some four hundred pieces of handi-
craft. These clubs represent a really spontaneous
movement on the part of the regular scholars of
the manual training department, who meet after
school hours of their own volition, and work
under the supervision of the teachers of the regular
city staff.
This spontaneous movement on the part of the
students is the forerunner of a greater movement
which is bound to be supported by the municipality.
The local governments of London, Berlin and other
municipalities are appropriating millions for this
purpose.
Mr. Blashfield’s series of black and white studies
include many drawings made for his greatest deco-
ration, recently completed, for the College of the
City of New York. They possess much grace and
charm combined with a masterly knowledge of
drawing.
A decorative panel by Wm. R. Derrick is not so
decorative as it is fortunate in poetic refinement and
subtle color; neither is Mr. Benson’s Decorative
Panel essentially decorative, although it is a beau-
tiful toile, conceived and painted in his usually
masterful way.
Mr. F. Luis Mora’s Isle 0/ Plenty is full in color,
cxxxix
ATTRIBUTES OF THE ARTS
BY ALBERT HERTER
An interesting piece of interior arrangement and
decoration is the men’s reading room of the Roswell
P. Flower Memorial Library at Watertown, N. Y.,
of which work Mr. C. R. Lamb is architect, the
mural decorations having been executed by Mr.
William Walton.
The low-toned woodwork, combined with Mr.
Walton’s mural paintings, present a scheme of
color and construction admirably suited to the
place and purpose for which it was designed.
The inhabitants of Watertown have to thank the
daughter of the late Governor Flower, Mrs. John
B. Taylor, for this and many other artistic improve-
ments which are constantly under way in this
already beautiful building.
A huge decoration is that of Mr. Francis Newton,
The Rattle Watch, the first police force of Manhat-
tan Island, established by Peter Stuyvesant in 1650.
This decoration—5 feet by 26 feet—is to be placed
above the judges’ bench in the trial room of the
new Police Headquarters.
As is often the case with Mr. Abbey’s decorations,
this work of Mr. Newton’s is more pictorial than
conventionally decorative, but the artist justly
states: “I felt that the canvas had to be painted
somewhat realistically because the subject was a
real event in our local history, and its historical
value and force would have been sacrificed if it had
been too much conventionalized.” In the treat-
ment of his large masses and judicious distribution
of color, Mr. Newton has produced a painting not
only historic, but decorative as well.
Believing absolutely that the practical art educa-
tion of the masses which go to make up the popula-
tion of Greater New York must come through
the design and handicraft courses in our public
schools, we would call attention to the exhibit of
the Arts and Crafts clubs of the public schools,
which include some four hundred pieces of handi-
craft. These clubs represent a really spontaneous
movement on the part of the regular scholars of
the manual training department, who meet after
school hours of their own volition, and work
under the supervision of the teachers of the regular
city staff.
This spontaneous movement on the part of the
students is the forerunner of a greater movement
which is bound to be supported by the municipality.
The local governments of London, Berlin and other
municipalities are appropriating millions for this
purpose.
Mr. Blashfield’s series of black and white studies
include many drawings made for his greatest deco-
ration, recently completed, for the College of the
City of New York. They possess much grace and
charm combined with a masterly knowledge of
drawing.
A decorative panel by Wm. R. Derrick is not so
decorative as it is fortunate in poetic refinement and
subtle color; neither is Mr. Benson’s Decorative
Panel essentially decorative, although it is a beau-
tiful toile, conceived and painted in his usually
masterful way.
Mr. F. Luis Mora’s Isle 0/ Plenty is full in color,
cxxxix