Studio: international art (17.1899)

Studio- Talk

STATUETTE BY RICHARD GARBE

(See London Studio-Talk)

Wills has most generously come forward with a gift
of ^10,000 towards the expenses of the building,
and he has already presented a picture to form the
nucleus of a collection. The corporation were
highly pleased when the offer was announced. They
stood up and thanked Sir William with acclamation ;
but when they considered that in the event of a
gallery being opened it would have to be furnished
and kept going, their faces fell, and the inevitable
argument arose, “ Could it not be done by private
subscription ? ” This argument speaks well for the
generosity of those Bristolians who are in the
habit of giving pro bono publico, but not for the
-7-

progress of up-to-date principles. It is an argu-
ment, however, which generally appeals to members
of a corporation as a loophole of escape from
responsibility, and now the subject under discus-
sion has been referred to a committee, whilst the
August Body are waiting, like Mr. Micawber, in
hopes of something, presumably in the way of gifts,
turning up.

L. A. B.

PARIS.—Among the ablest of our de-
corative artists is M. Felix Aubert,
whose gifts are well known to readers
of The Studio. Pottery, leather-
work, wall-papers, furniture—all come
alike to him, for in each of those departments,
and in others besides, he has been highly success-
ful. See, for example, his Genoese velvets and
his damas moire, illustrated here. They are admir-

STAINED GLASS BY B. NELSON

(See London Studio-Talk)