DOI issue:
Nr. 343 (December 1925)
DOI article:Breuning, Margaret: Tendencies in mural decoration
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19986#0174
mceRHAcionAL
CORRIDOR OF THE SULGRAVE HOTEL BY J. ALDEN TWACHTMAN
Courtesy oj Ardcn Studios
corals and an occasional mermaid. The employ- be roughly summarized as the new uses to which
ment of murals to adorn public buildings has also such decoration is applied, the more pronounced
been a favored form of procedure. Whether we emphasis on the purely decorative aspect of the
are a law respecting people or not, we have made work and the range of subjects from which it is
many splendid gestures to law in the ornamenta- drawn.
tion of its courts. When it comes to state houses When the Boston Public Library was orna-
or capitols, the list is too long to enumerate, for mented with murals by Puvis de Chavannes,
many important examples of both architecture and Edwin Abbey and John Singer Sargent, it was
mural decoration could be found in this division practically the first instance of a building of this
and their number is steadily increasing. character being so elaborately decorated. While
Since mural work has so long occupied an the panels by Puvis de Chavannes could not, un-
important position in American art, there is fortunately, be studied for the site, so that they
nothing surprising in its expansion, but there are are at certain disadvantages both as to lighting
certain features in its development that show its and architectural relation, they attain a classic
continued vitality and its power to adapt itself to serenity and a decorative dignity in their figures
new conditions. These modern tendencies might that make them a joy to behold. The Abbey
one seventy-Jour
DECEMBER I 92 5
CORRIDOR OF THE SULGRAVE HOTEL BY J. ALDEN TWACHTMAN
Courtesy oj Ardcn Studios
corals and an occasional mermaid. The employ- be roughly summarized as the new uses to which
ment of murals to adorn public buildings has also such decoration is applied, the more pronounced
been a favored form of procedure. Whether we emphasis on the purely decorative aspect of the
are a law respecting people or not, we have made work and the range of subjects from which it is
many splendid gestures to law in the ornamenta- drawn.
tion of its courts. When it comes to state houses When the Boston Public Library was orna-
or capitols, the list is too long to enumerate, for mented with murals by Puvis de Chavannes,
many important examples of both architecture and Edwin Abbey and John Singer Sargent, it was
mural decoration could be found in this division practically the first instance of a building of this
and their number is steadily increasing. character being so elaborately decorated. While
Since mural work has so long occupied an the panels by Puvis de Chavannes could not, un-
important position in American art, there is fortunately, be studied for the site, so that they
nothing surprising in its expansion, but there are are at certain disadvantages both as to lighting
certain features in its development that show its and architectural relation, they attain a classic
continued vitality and its power to adapt itself to serenity and a decorative dignity in their figures
new conditions. These modern tendencies might that make them a joy to behold. The Abbey
one seventy-Jour
DECEMBER I 92 5