File:New Boston Opera House, decorative panel for frieze by Bela L. Pratt.jpg

Identifier: internationalstu38newy (find matches)
Title: International studio
Year: 1897 (1890s)
Authors:
Subjects: Art Decoration and ornament
Publisher: New York

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nificant. It was thought that sculpture was nolonger a living issue, that its day was gone past. Weare happily beyond that point. Sculpture has hada new breath of life given to it in our own day.Once more it begins to be a real expression of realthings, made by real men, related to the life aboutit. Among the men who have in various ways con-tributed to the revival of this old art is Bela L.Pratt. The extraordinary distinction, fidelity and insightof Mr. Pratts best work are rare qualities. Noth-ing could be more keenly personal than his por-traiture, which possesses an intimacy of expressionthat recalls the Renaissance sculptures. His headshave an intensity of vitality which is most remark-able. There is a penetrating charm in many of hissmall works which is no less captivating, a poiseand sober beauty of character that speaks to theimagination. He is a master workman, whollyenamored of his work. In his ideal figures, such asthose for the Fountain oj Youth, his creations are dis- III
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NEW BOSTON OPERA HOUSE DECORATIVE PANEL FOR FRIEZE BY BELA L. PRATT tinguished by a pronounced sentiment for the poetryof the nude human form, its noble ideal beauty andits inexhaustible charm of movement and life. Thespirit in which this work is conceived and carriedout, in respect of its detachment, its purity of feelingand its sense of the dignity of the human form, isthat of the Greeks, but, as is natural, to this is addedthe modern note of intimacy and personality. Thebronze River figure, one of his recent works, is per-haps still more essentially modern in its vein, and isamong his most striking conceptions. The pose iscalculated to bring out with special emphasis thebeauty and delicacy of the contours of a supplegirlish form, and the idea of the work is singularlyoriginal and significant, expressing in every part thetranquil and gliding flow of the stream which is per-sonified in this exquisite shape. The capacity torepresent the nude figure is by common consent thesupreme test

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