KENYON COX
Kenyon Cox, likewise a pupil of the Paris schools under J. L. Gérôme (zhay-rome´), has been largely identified with decorative work throughout the land. A distinguished draftsman and a writer on art as well, Mr. Cox is represented with decorations in the Walker Art Gallery, Bowdoin College, in various state capitols and public libraries, in the Appellate Court of New York and other courthouses throughout the Union, and was awarded the medal of honor for mural painting by the Architectural League in 1910. He too is represented in the mural decorations of the Congressional Library at Washington.
THE LIGHT OF LEARNING
By Robert Reid
Copyright, 1909, by Robert Reid
JOHN SINGER SARGENT
Mr. Sargent, perhaps the most prominent figure in the modern world of art, a man whose success has rarely been duplicated, a painter of the portrait above all, has confined his mural work to the decorations in the Boston Public Library. These are of such superlative quality as to cause regret that the man, in the course of a most active artistic life, could not have found time to do more. Mr. Sargent’s parents were Americans. They are his sole claim to nationality; for he was born in Italy, received his art education in France, and has resided for many years in England. Sargent, in short, is thoroughly cosmopolitan in himself and in his art. His Boston Library decorations are singularly original, of profound symbolism, disclosing deep intellectuality and serious study. His work here, says William A. Coffin, “as a whole is like a casket of jewels.” It consists of a frieze, a lunette,[2] and an arched ceiling. In the latter are depicted the gods of polytheism and idolatry; there are panels of the Prophets in the lunette, and the Jews are represented by twelve nude figures in subjection to the Egyptians and Assyrians, typified by figures of Pharaoh and the Assyrian king. It is a most elaborate symbolism, thoroughly consistent, wonderfully worked out, and of absorbing interest.
[2] A form of decoration over door, window or in arches—shaped like a half moon.