International studio (82.1925)

mceRnAcionAL

BY CARL SCHMITT

a definite decoration at a distance where the sig- of a series of paintings illustrating the "Life of

nificance of the subject cannot be appreciated. Christ." One realizes in viewing these panels the

Of quite a different character is the work of long study that the artist has made of the funda-

another painter of religious themes, Henry O. mental principles of mural decoration and of his

Tanner, who paints scenes from the life of Christ thorough training in them. In each painting the

in Oriental settings that evoke marvelously the proportions of the composition to the size and

dramatic quality of the events depicted. One of shape of the panel are completely harmonious,

Tanner's paintings of "The Flight into. Egypt" and the space relations of the design finely

(he has more than one version) shows the fugitives adjusted. The design itself is broad and symmet-

passing through the city gate with its tremendous rical and quite suited to enhance architectural

arch dwarfing their figures. Behind them one structure. Serenity and stability are effected by

looks directly into a magically blue sky that seems the simplicity of space composition in a few

to stretch into an ever-deepening infinity. The planes, while the decorative character of the

woman riding her humble beast, the man walking whole is attained in a large measure by the balance

by her side, stand out against this infinity with of light and dark masses.

startling effect. There is only another figure, and The color in these murals is usually rich and

that a trivial one, in the picture, yet it is fraught vibrant, particularly in the gradations of blue and

with tremendous significance. green. There are few color oppositions or abrupt

This artist gives few details of costume or transitions, but a balance of complementary colors

locale, yet conveys a remarkably vivid impression and a harmonious gradation of values give a

of circumstance and place. A mystic color en- pleasing tranquility to the flat linear pattern in

wraps his canvases, out of which a form is evoked, which there is nobility of conception as well as

a face glows or a gesture is revealed with com- finished execution.

pelling significance. Particularly are his modula- William Laurel Harris was another present

tions of blue remarkable. They pass from a deep, day artist (he died in 1924) who treated religious

vibrant sapphire to an almost silvery mist faintly subjects. Murals by him are to be found in a

tinged with blue. Through color Tanner lends number of this city's churches. This artist shows

emotion to the directness and simplicity of his in his work, not only the necessity of treating

statement. A statement, too, which carries with murals as component parts of their architectural

it deep religious conviction. setting, but also of assimilating them to their

H. Siddons Mowbray, long known as a mural surrounding decorations. In a church where vari-

painter of various themes, recently held a showing colored marbles are used and there are the further

NOVEMBER I t| 2 j

one fifteen