Studio: international art (56.1912)

Studio-Talk

LANDSCAPE BY TANAKA KAISHO

of the Imperial family, or for the use of the
Imperial household. The far-reaching influence
of this form of patronage is greater than is ordinarily
admitted. It is beginning to tell on the choice of
subject, and the size and style of the works that are
to be seen at different art exhibitions held in the
capital. There are some who fear, and not without
good reason, that it may be carried too far for the
healthy development of art. But no one can deny
that the strong stimulus which is afforded by the
interest so consistently taken in art by the members
of the Imperial family is one of the greatest factors
in the modern development of art in Japan. Hitherto
this interest has been confined chiefly to Japanese
painting, sculpture, and metalwork, but this year a
number of oil pictures have for the first time been
bought for the use of the Imperial household from
exhibitions. Harada Jiro.

Philadelphia.—The celebration of
the centennial of the war of 1812, and
of the one hundred and twenty-fifth
anniversary of the framing of the con-
stitution of the United States in Philadelphia, will
be the occasion of an historical pageant depicting
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the principal episodes in the history of Philadelphia,
to be held during six consecutive days, from Octo-
ber 7 to 12 inclusive, at Belmont, the former
colonial estate of the Peters family, but now form-
ing part of Fairmount Park. Upwards of five
thousand costumed people will figure in the pro-
cession, and among them will appear many repre-
sentatives of old Philadelphia families in correct
and picturesque dress. Incidents connected with
the Dutch and Swedish settlements, the arrival of
William Penn and founding of the city by him, the
War of the Revolution, the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, the famous “ Meschianza ”—a mediaeval
tournament that was a remarkable social event of
that time—Lafayette’s reception in Philadelphia in
1824, representations in appropriate costume of the
old districts of the city by young women now
residing there, form part of the programme, ending
with a march past, a feature of recent English
pageants. The president of the committee is the
Hon. Rudolph Blankenburg, the mayor of Phila-
delphia; the secretary and director is Dr. Ober-
holtzer. The services of Miss Margaret McHenry
have been engaged in the capacity of Mistress of the
Wardrobe, and Mr. Charles H. Stephens as Master
of Colour and Design. Much of the work is being
done con amove by persons interested only in
the artistic success of the pageant, and no pains
are spared in order to make the costumes and
properties historically correct. E. C.