International studio (54.1914/1915)

A Tribute to Howard Pyle

restriction in that it presents but one face suscepti-
ble to architectural embellishment, and this must
be so devised as to accurately strike the keynote
of the whole house, as well as to achieve and ex-
press a certain kind of dignity and urbanity.
With no prevalent style in city architecture, yet
without the isolation which makes possible indi-
vidual diversity in country-house design, it would
seem that our best city houses are those which
dwell in the best architectural harmony with their
neighbours. The architect, it need not be said,
when considering this, entirely ignores the old
“brownstone front” type, on the assumption that
all these will (it is to be hoped) be eventually
demolished or remodelled, and that consistency in
design or abstract appropriateness is to be
reached rather through a general adherence to
type than to any specific style.
Thus the facade of the J. Harper Poor residence
is most successful in that it is neither unpleas-
antly conspicuous by reason of eccentricity nor
stupidly inconspicuous by reason of mediocrity.
It has all the urbane “manner” and well-bred dis-
tinction which should characterize the city house.
The remarkable feature of the design, however,
is the high degree of attainment in architectural
expression developed in the inner court, which
causes to be entirely forgotten the restrictions of
the narrow city lot upon which the house is built.
The proportions and function of this great court
have afforded a splendid opportunity for architec-
tural treatment—and an opportunity of which the
architects have availed themselves in a distin-
guished manner. The expression of that peculiar
combination of grace and dignity, of richness and
restraint which characterized certain phases of
the art of the Italian Renaissance, has been beauti-
fully effected, and the entire fabric presents itself
not only as a remarkably significant illustration
of the highest development of the dignity of the
city house, but constitutes as well an architectural
achievement of unusual merit and distinction in
itself.
A TRIB UTE TO HOWARD PYLE
BY J. B. CARRINGTON
The Wilmington (Delaware) Society
of Fine Arts recently held the third
annual exhibition of paintings and illustrations by
pupils of Howard Pyle. No one ever did more to
dignify and raise the standard of American illus-

tration than Howard Pyle, and no teacher ever had
a more loyal and appreciative following. Mr.
Pyle’s school was unique in the fact that his pupils
were selected from hundreds who applied for mem-
bership, and for the fact that his teaching was
beyond price. The young men and women who
owe their success to his generosity, the inspiring
influence of his great knowledge, and the stimulus
of his fine character and high ideals, strive to
maintain the traditions of his school and to spread
abroad their love and respect for his art and per-
sonality.
The list of his pupils who have made a dis-
tinct place for themselves is a long one. Max-
field Parrish was in the school for a time, Miss
Violet Oakley, who was chosen to finish the work
left undone by Mr. Abbey for the Capitol at Har-
risburg, and who has won a very high place among
contemporary mural painters, owes much to Mr.
Pyle’s influence and encouragement. N. C.
Wyeth, one of the ablest among our illustrators,
who made the paintings for Stevenson’s “Treasure
Island” and “Kidnapped,” Stanley M. Arthurs,
Walter Russell, Jessie Willcox Smith, Herman C.
Wall, Clifford W. Ashley, Frank E. Schoonover,
Harvey T. Dunn, Sidney M. Chase, Henry J.
Peck, Philip Goodwin, George Harding, Harold
Mathews Brett, Thornton Oakley, Ethel Franklin
Betts, Elizabeth Shippen Green, are all of the
Pyle school. Mr. Pyle was quick to recognize
individual talent and he had the faculty of inspir-
ing those who came under his influence with his
own seriousness of purpose and respect for hard
work.
The exhibition for this year included one
hundred and twelve numbers. Among them were
the studies for the Harrisburg decorations by Miss
Oakley. There were three prizes awarded of $100
each. They went to N. C. Wyeth, for the best
illustration, to Miss Oakley for her decorations,
and to Miss Katharine Pyle for a portrait. The
president of the Society is Mrs. Charles Copeland,
a member of the famous duPont family, and to
her generous aid and encouragement much of the
success of these annual exhibitions is due. It is a
pity that there is not a permanent exhibition gal-
lery in Wilmington for the collection of Mr. Pyle’s
work, and it might well be made the nucleus for a
general collection of modern paintings. Many of
Mr. Pyle’s drawings and paintings of the Revolu-
tion have an especially intimate value for the
people of Delaware.

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