DOI article:
Oliver, Maude I. G.: German arts and crafts at the St. Louis exposition
DOI Page / Citation link: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20710#0251
German Arts and Crafts at St. Louis
everywhere present, in line as well as in colour, the Byzantine severity of Prof. Behrens' " Reading
feeling of dignity and reserve is strikingly apparent. Room," the tables and chairs are rendered attrac-
One marvels at the amount of detail to which tive and sanitary by their coverings of white pig-
an object has been finished, without its being in skin, which can be washed daily without injury,
the least too ornate. Bits of ornament daintily The lights disposed along the middle ridges of the
fashioned, touches of bright, contrasting colour, a desks, as well as those suspended from the ceiling,
repetition, an echo here and there afford the are enclosed in cubical ground-glass boxes, making
necessary accents for character. Arrangements of the light subdued and yet adequate. The use of
mother-of-pearl, metal and ivory appear on some the cube is continued, either in itself or in its face
sombre, dull-finished object with the effect of (the square) throughout the room. The most
resplendent jewels in the darkness of night,—never important detail here is the granite clock, embedded
so dazzling, however, as to detract from the chaste in the wall, with two conventionalised female figures
simplicity of the whole. Fine carvings and delicate forming the sides, beyond which are niches lined
inlays frankly evince the artisan's sympathy with with ceramic panels in flat ornament. A note
the general scheme. Pictures in applique, articles also that is unique, without, however, affording the
in drawn work and embroidered panels are ample element of practicability, is the panelled arrange-
testimony to the proverbially unrivalled skill of the ment of silk squares in Prof. Olbrich's " Living
German needlewoman. Room," hung with the seams thrown out on the
Considering the chambers separately, one is right side, the edges frayed for decorative effect—
impressed by the appropriateness of the centralised incidentally for the accumulation of dust,
theme of each and by the presence of a decided A number of the rooms in this exhibit are dis-
novelty, without undue exaggeration, in at least one posed about Prof. Joseph M. Olbrich's " Court in
feature of the furnishings. For example, in the a Summer Residence of a Lover of Art," the
GENTLEMAN'S STUDY DESIGNED BY MAGDEBURG ARTISTS
234
everywhere present, in line as well as in colour, the Byzantine severity of Prof. Behrens' " Reading
feeling of dignity and reserve is strikingly apparent. Room," the tables and chairs are rendered attrac-
One marvels at the amount of detail to which tive and sanitary by their coverings of white pig-
an object has been finished, without its being in skin, which can be washed daily without injury,
the least too ornate. Bits of ornament daintily The lights disposed along the middle ridges of the
fashioned, touches of bright, contrasting colour, a desks, as well as those suspended from the ceiling,
repetition, an echo here and there afford the are enclosed in cubical ground-glass boxes, making
necessary accents for character. Arrangements of the light subdued and yet adequate. The use of
mother-of-pearl, metal and ivory appear on some the cube is continued, either in itself or in its face
sombre, dull-finished object with the effect of (the square) throughout the room. The most
resplendent jewels in the darkness of night,—never important detail here is the granite clock, embedded
so dazzling, however, as to detract from the chaste in the wall, with two conventionalised female figures
simplicity of the whole. Fine carvings and delicate forming the sides, beyond which are niches lined
inlays frankly evince the artisan's sympathy with with ceramic panels in flat ornament. A note
the general scheme. Pictures in applique, articles also that is unique, without, however, affording the
in drawn work and embroidered panels are ample element of practicability, is the panelled arrange-
testimony to the proverbially unrivalled skill of the ment of silk squares in Prof. Olbrich's " Living
German needlewoman. Room," hung with the seams thrown out on the
Considering the chambers separately, one is right side, the edges frayed for decorative effect—
impressed by the appropriateness of the centralised incidentally for the accumulation of dust,
theme of each and by the presence of a decided A number of the rooms in this exhibit are dis-
novelty, without undue exaggeration, in at least one posed about Prof. Joseph M. Olbrich's " Court in
feature of the furnishings. For example, in the a Summer Residence of a Lover of Art," the
GENTLEMAN'S STUDY DESIGNED BY MAGDEBURG ARTISTS
234