Among the American mural decorators who have achieved a reputation which is not confined to the land of their birth, is William de Leftwich Dodge. Some of the principal decorations of the Boston public library and the capitol of Washington are the outcome of his genius. He has also executed a number of private commissions, and in each and every instance has given evidence of fertile imagination and forceful execution. It is perhaps too much to say that Mr. Dodge has inaugurated or suggested a new school of mural art, but it is certain that he has so modified accepted methods that the results are practically without precedent as far as his special line of work is concerned. He was born in Liberty, Virginia, and, after a preliminary art education in this country, studied in Paris and Munich. He began his career proper as an illustrator, but it was not long before he realized that his future lay along the lines of decoration rather than in the pages of publications, and, as has been intimated, his successes have vindicated the wisdom of his decision. He has been awarded the third medal of the Concours d’Atelier, Paris; the gold medal, Prize Fund exposition, 1886; three medals Cours Yvon, 1887; Prix d’Atelier, 1888, and medal of the Columbian exposition, 1893. CHARLES MENTE. Charles Mente, a popular illustrator, comes of a musical family, and so narrowly escaped being a musician instead of an artist. He was born in New York city, educated in the public schools and afterward learned wood-carving, making figureheads and ornamental work on furniture. This work was not to his taste, however, so he entered the credit department of A. T. Stewart’s store, New York city. This was even more distasteful, and, resigning, he spent his evenings attending Cooper institute art classes, and later the art students’ league. At that time all illustrations were drawn on wood. Mr. Mente’s first drawing was for Harper & Brothers, and was successful, and for two years he worked for that firm. By the end of that period he had managed to save about $1,500, with which he went abroad to study in Munich at the Royal academy. There he received a medal, with honorable mention. Coming back to New York, he was engaged as a teacher of painting at the Gotham art students’ league, but gave up this position to devote himself to painting and illustration. He has received first prize at the exposition of the Chicago society of artists, a gold medal of the Art club of Philadelphia in 1895, and a diploma of excellence and silver medal at the Cotton States’ international exposition, Atlanta, Georgia, in 1895. Mr. Mente’s reputation rests to a great extent on his pictures based on inspirational subjects. THURE DE THULSTRUP.