THE EDICT OF TOLERATION, by E. H. Blashfield
This is the central section of a decoration in the courthouse at Baltimore, Maryland
THE LIGHT OF LEARNING
By Kenyon Cox
Lunette in the public library at Winona, Minnesota
LA FARGE’S MASTERPIECE
In the Church of the Ascension, however, is La Farge’s masterpiece, without doubt the greatest piece of church decoration in this country. The theme is “The Ascension of Our Lord,” a composition arranged in two groups, one of the ascending Christ amid the clouds, the other of the disciples with Mary the Mother standing on the ground gazing upon the wonder passing beyond their vision. The composition is one of great dignity and deep religious feeling; the vision of the painter is most distinguished; while there are both balance and harmony, and the color scheme is highly decorative and rich.
The work was immediately followed by many others, including a music room for the residence of the late Whitelaw Reid, rooms in the residence of Cornelius Vanderbilt, and many churches; while later was to come the work for great public buildings, culminating in the decorations for the Supreme Court room of the new capitol at St. Paul, Minnesota, a colossal undertaking comprising many large panels. La Farge did not, however, confine his activities entirely to mural painting; for during his long career in art he was identified with work in stained glass, to which he gave great attention. His achievements in this direction were among the most distinguished that have ever been attained in the history of the world.
