PUBLIC LIBRARY DECORATIONS
The Boston Library, it may be stated, offered opportunity for decorative work of an unusual nature, which was taken advantage of by several of the better known men. Elmer E. Garnsey made remarkable designs for the Pompeian lobby, and John Elliott a ceiling in the children’s reference room. The Congressional Library at Washington offered still greater opportunities, engaging the attention of a long list of painters. Here again is seen the hand of Mr. Garnsey, who planned the color scheme; while prominent among the decorations are the works of Elihu Vedder,—six large panels representing Government in its various phases, good and corrupt, of much invention in their allegorical way; for the artist is a highly imaginative man. Mr. Brownell places Vedder in the front rank of the imaginative painters of the day, adding, “Their name is not legion.” Other men who contributed to the Library of Congress include John W. Alexander, who is further represented at Pittsburgh, in the Carnegie Institute, with most important wall decorations; Gari Melchers; Robert Reid, whose list of other work is extensive, including decorations for the capitol at Boston; Henry O. Walker, also represented in the Appellate Court in New York.
PENNSYLVANIA EXCAVATIONS, by Fred Dana Marsh