DOI issue:
Nr. 221 (July, 1915)
DOI article:Brinton, Christian: The San Diego and San Francisco expositions, II
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.43459#0011
The San Diego and San Francisco Expositions
Panama-Pacific Exposition, San Francisco
EARTH—MURAL PAINTING BY FRANK W.
IN COURT OF ABUNDANCE
BRANGWYN
Panama-Pacific Exposition, San Francisco
WATER—MURAL PAINTING BY FRANK W.
IN COURT OF ABUNDANCE BRANGWYN
Panama-Pacific Exposition applies in a measure
to the mural decoration. These ambitious panels
seem to lack conviction. Mr. Dodge’s apotheosis
of the Atlantic and Pacific in the Tower of Jewels,
and Mr. Brangwyn’s series dedicated to the Earth,
Air, Fire and Water are distinctly better than is
the work of their colleagues. Full of verve and
true to the limitations of his craft, Mr. Dodge has
achieved a really fine effect. Always opulent in
line and ample in pattern, Mr. Brangwyn’s sub-
jects, each of which is treated in duplicate, reveal
this artist in congenial vein. He takes us back, in
these broadly handled compositions, to the days
when the world was young and the primal wonder
of man began to manifest itself in countless quest-
ing ways. There is a definite pictorial idea in
each of these rich-toned panels. The figures group
themselves logically and move in unison. You are
never in doubt as to the painter’s meaning. His
method is not that of the vague symbolist. It is
that of the earnest-minded seeker after the inher-
ent possibilities of graphic representation. Con-
ceived in less serious spirit, the other murals serve
their purpose sufficiently well. Mr. Simmons’s
scheme is full of technical novelty and interest.
Mr. Reid’s decorations in the dome of the rotunda
of the Palace of Fine Arts constitute a joyous
cycle, and Mr. Hassam’s contribution to the
Court of Palms is instinct with lyric lightness.
Whatever their shortcomings in the matter of fun-
damental ideas or depth of feeling, these latter
men have approached their task in appropriately
festal mood, which, after all, is the important con-
sideration in the present circumstance.
While it is difficult to condense initial impres-
sions of the Panama-Pacific Exposition into sum-
VII
Panama-Pacific Exposition, San Francisco
EARTH—MURAL PAINTING BY FRANK W.
IN COURT OF ABUNDANCE
BRANGWYN
Panama-Pacific Exposition, San Francisco
WATER—MURAL PAINTING BY FRANK W.
IN COURT OF ABUNDANCE BRANGWYN
Panama-Pacific Exposition applies in a measure
to the mural decoration. These ambitious panels
seem to lack conviction. Mr. Dodge’s apotheosis
of the Atlantic and Pacific in the Tower of Jewels,
and Mr. Brangwyn’s series dedicated to the Earth,
Air, Fire and Water are distinctly better than is
the work of their colleagues. Full of verve and
true to the limitations of his craft, Mr. Dodge has
achieved a really fine effect. Always opulent in
line and ample in pattern, Mr. Brangwyn’s sub-
jects, each of which is treated in duplicate, reveal
this artist in congenial vein. He takes us back, in
these broadly handled compositions, to the days
when the world was young and the primal wonder
of man began to manifest itself in countless quest-
ing ways. There is a definite pictorial idea in
each of these rich-toned panels. The figures group
themselves logically and move in unison. You are
never in doubt as to the painter’s meaning. His
method is not that of the vague symbolist. It is
that of the earnest-minded seeker after the inher-
ent possibilities of graphic representation. Con-
ceived in less serious spirit, the other murals serve
their purpose sufficiently well. Mr. Simmons’s
scheme is full of technical novelty and interest.
Mr. Reid’s decorations in the dome of the rotunda
of the Palace of Fine Arts constitute a joyous
cycle, and Mr. Hassam’s contribution to the
Court of Palms is instinct with lyric lightness.
Whatever their shortcomings in the matter of fun-
damental ideas or depth of feeling, these latter
men have approached their task in appropriately
festal mood, which, after all, is the important con-
sideration in the present circumstance.
While it is difficult to condense initial impres-
sions of the Panama-Pacific Exposition into sum-
VII