International studio (41.1910)

Wood Carving and Architecture

operation of this character
and the ease with which
any one who has learned
to draw and model can
acquire the technique of
wood carving either from
a teacher or even from
such a manual as that
lately prepared by Miss
Eleanor Rowe, of South
Kensington, it will be
strange if in response to
growing demand there is
not in the next few years
a large increase in the num-
ber of professional wood
carvers. The churches of
this country alone offer an
almost unlimited field for

^■Sfi Hlfci JPW*SB the introduction of indi-

vidualized woodwork.
By any looking forward

„.„„ of Mr. Kirchmaver, the

CARVED WOODEN CANDLESTICKS BY MISS MARTHA PAGE J '

dean of architectural wood
carvers in America, de-
color and temperamental capacity for vigorous serves to be studied attentively. What may be
artistic expression are, of course, essential to good called recreation pieces are among the things
performance in any of the sculptural arts, among which make Mr. Kirchmayer's work interesting,
which wood carving is rapidly resuming its true As enthusiastic in his calling as any of the
place. great medieval wood carvers, this artist pro-
So that cultivation of as wide acquaintance as duces in his leisure moments smaller works than
possible with the literature of architecture, and those specified in the ordinary architectural com-
with architects themselves, should be regarded as mission—sometimes, indeed, on a miniature scale,
an important part of the training of the wood as in the elaborately carved boxwood panels of a
carver. Our architects, as a class, are peculiarly crucifix. The delicately executed Nativity is carved
able and high-minded men. With them, further- from a small piece of oak. Perhaps the most re-
more, rests the destiny of the profession of wood markable work of this kind which Mr. Kirchmayer
carving, for not a few architects control wealthy has done is the little Last Supper. The treatment is
clients who will spend money upon any kind of self-explanatory. The precision, the clear delimita-
decoration which is recommended as desirable, tion of planes even in a miniature and the remark-
The architect fortunately has, as a rule, keen appre- able characterization of the heads should be noted by
ciation of the qualities of good carving and, as Mr. those interested in the sculptural aspects of wood
H. Langford Warren, President of the Society of carving.

Arts and Crafts, and himself a distinguished archi- The largest of these recreation studies, a. Madonna

tect, has lately written: "The largest use of carved and Child in the round, is nearly life size. As in

wood is undoubtedly in the decoration of interiors most of Mr. Kirchmayer's works, in which the man

of buildings and in furniture, and this class of work has allowed himself full liberty to express his per-

has been directly controlled in most cases by sonal conception, the result defies classification or

educated architects. The growth and development exposition. To assign it to a school is almost sacri-

of the profession of architecture in this country has lege. This wood carver, it is true, is popularly

therefore brought with it constant improvement associated with the "Gothic camp" of architects;

and increased use of carved wood work." though he by no means exclusively works for them.

Considering in brief the opportunities for co- It is also quite the thing to say that he represents,

LXIV