PRINTED AT THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

form p-5 (xii-24-18 14c)

THE

HE Bulletin is published monthly by The New York Public Library at 476 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Subscription One Dollar a year, current single numbers Ten Cents. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., as second-class matter, February 10, 1897, under Act of July 16, 1894. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized. Printed at The New York Public Library, 476 Fifth Avenue. Edmund L. Pearson, Editor.

December 1918, Volume 22, Number 12.

BULLETIN

OF THE

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

VOLUME 22

DECEMBER 1918

NUMBER 12

THE MASTER ORNAMENTALISTS

NOTES ON AN EXHIBITION

HE ornamentalist differs from the decorator in that he is the de

monious ensemble. From him came the patterns and pattern-books which were widely circulated among the crafts and had an immense influence on the formation of the styles of decoration. The Gothic designs are chiefly for ecclesiastical silver objects. In the Renaissance, Italy and Germany are particularly rich in ornamentalists, Michael Angelo, Raphael, Beham, Holbein, Aldegrever, among many, figuring as designers of doors and windows, friezes, grotesques, silver-ware, garden ornaments, and much In the 17th century the art is fully developed, France taking the lead, and in the 18th century the artists of all other countries became mere copyists of the French masters. Besides the designers of articles of luxury there were those, Moreau le jeune, Choffard, et al., who made the 18th century books the charming things they are.

more.

This great repertory of art has apparently remained until now virtually unknown in this country to collectors, and to students of design. Of late years reproductions of the principal works have been published: the designs of Marot, Berain, Oppenord, Meissonier, La Londe, etc. These facsimiles are not, of course, for the collector, but as "laboratory material" for the student, they are of great use, not to be used textually, but as sources of suggestion for the artist.

Let us hope that the present exhibitions will arouse an interest in this most charming of the minor graphic arts, so that we may, in the dawn of what we expect will be a long era of peace, see gathered together a great collection representing it, both of originals and of fine reproductions.

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Thus the Master Ornamentalists may live among us, too, to continue their beneficent influence on the arts which stand so largely for civilization. -LLOYD WARREN.

Some of the originals to which Mr. Warren refers may be found in public art libraries. The reproductions are more easily available. But, originals or reproductions, the designs are there for the student, the actual designs from which artists of those days worked, instead of adaptations and compositions. It is not slavish copying that is aimed at, but study and assimilation and inspiration. It is to emphasize the great value of this mass of "documentary" or "source" material, that the Art Division of The New York Public Library will arrange in the Stuart Gallery of the Central Building an exhibition of books and individual plates, the latter lent by Mr. Warren. This exhibition, on view during January to March, follows one at the Grolier Club, and precedes an important one at the Metropolitan Museum.

Obviously, all this has relation to the movement for better opportunities for the training of designers, and is part of the bigger educational movement, the work of reconstruction and preparation. Many noted names appear in the exhibition: Androuet Du Cerceau, Marot, Berain, Germain, Pillement, Boucher fils, Delafosse, Moreau, Oppenord, Gillot, Della Bella, Percier, Pergolesi, Chippendale, Sheraton, Adam, - to name a few, as well as 16th century engravers and the lace designers. Arrangement in groups (goldsmithing, lighting fixtures, lace, etc.) makes its appeal to various specialties. Of course, one cannot display all of the material. But the way can be shown; such exhibitions are guide-posts for those who will read.

F. W.

CENSUS OF FIFTEENTH CENTURY BOOKS

OWNED IN AMERICA

EDITED BY A COMMITTEE OF THE BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA

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