International studio (56.1915)

A Pentaptych by J. IV. Fosdick

A pentaptych by j. w.
FOSDICK
BY W. LAUREL HARRIS
To understand properly an individ-
ual work of art one must first learn something of
the craftsman’s artistic antecedents. The de-
signs and paintings of J. William Fosdick are char-
acteristic of a strong and vital tendency in the
modern development of American art.
It is indicative of the great desire which Ameri-
cans feel for beautiful homes in which art shall no
longer appear as a foreign though precious thing


THE HEAVENLY VOICES

THE ENTRY OF CHARLES VII INTO RHEIMS


attached by attenuated wire threads to hideous
walls or ugly picture mouldings. Our people desire
rooms that are beautiful from the ceiling to the
floor, and in which art is an integral part of the
constructive work.
Interesting examples of Mr. Fosdick’s efforts in
this direction are to be found in the residence of
Mr. Edward D. Adams, on Madison Avenue, in
the library of Mr. William F. Havemeyer, at Sea
Bright, and in the famous precincts of Georgian
Court at Lakewood. One of the most interesting
of his composition is The Field of the Cloth of Gold,
which received an honour medal at the Atlanta

XVIII