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Scattered Art Exhibits State and Foreign Buildings



The Palace of Fine Arts has been reserved exclusively for painting, sculpture and prints, with the result that the material of the usual "arts and crafts" exhibitions has been badly scattered. Certain exhibits have been taken to the state and foreign buildings, some of which are also of interest architecturally; but most of the craftswork is to be found in the four exhibition palaces on the Avenue of Palms.

The Palace of Varied Industries contains, between 5th and 6th Streets, three important displays: at Avenue A is Denmark's exhibition of porcelain and pottery, with a small section devoted to the book arts; at Avenue B is an excellent display of German porcelain; and at Avenue D is the Netherlands exhibit of porcelain and pottery. At 4th Street and Avenue C is the exhibition of Chinese arts and crafts. The American section of so-called "Domestic Arts and Crafts" is at 1st Street and Avenue C, and contains a very small but select showing of all the usual handicrafts. Elsewhere in the building there are minor displays of textiles, ceramics, tapestries, silver work, and interior decoration, installed by commercial firms. One can see looms working, jewelry being made, and China being painted.

The Palace of Manufactures is notable for the extensive arts and crafts exhibit of Japan, which covers almost one-quarter of the building's floor space; for that of Italy, which includes a large number of statuettes besides the usual departments; and for those of France, and Great Britain and Ireland. One will find all of these displays by walking along Avenue C.

The Palace of Liberal Arts contains a few exhibits of the book arts and architecture. The most important architectural display is that in the United States Government Section, shown by the National Fine Arts Commission. On Avenue D between 1st and 5th Streets there are displays of fine photography.

The Palace of Education contains the exhibition of the American art schools, at Avenue B and 6th Street. At Avenue E and 3rd Street pottery is made.

In the group of palaces on the Marina there is little to interest in art matters. In the Mines Palace the Government's exhibit of coins and medals is of some interest. In the Transportation Palace the student of applied art can find much to think about in the relation of art to automobile design. In the Agriculture and Food Products Palaces there is little to attract the art-lover except at meal-time.

The Italian Buildings contain an extensive museum of national historic art and archaeology, which is well worth seeing. The mural painting in the Royal Salon represents "The Glorification of Italy." The buildings reproduce historic Italian styles of architecture. The charming central court, the gardens, and the buildings contain many replicas of masterpieces of sculpture.

The French Building was unfinished at the time this was written (June first), but it is to contain an extensive art display. There are to be a number of statues by Rodin, the greatest of modern sculptors, which alone would make a visit imperative for every art lover.

The Swedish Building is one of the most interesting architecturally, suggesting the fine originality of recent Scandinavian architecture. It is worthy of note too, that the Norwegian and Danish buildings strike a note of freshness that is in fine contrast with most of the foreign pavilions. In all three of these buildings there are small exhibits of painting and handiwork.

The Turkish Building contains an attractive exhibit of rugs; and in the Philippine Building there is a display of metal work and basketry.

The State Buildings are in general designed for social purposes. That of Pennsylvania is an interesting bit of Colonial architecture, and contains two virile and colorful decorations by John Trumbull, representing "Penn's Treaty with the Indians" and "The Industries of Pennsylvania." The Maryland Building is also a simple, dignified bit of Colonial design. The Massachusetts Building reproduces the famous "Bulfinch front" of the Boston State House. The Mission style of architecture is pleasingly exemplified in the California Building.

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