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. EDWIN A. ABBEY’S DECORATIONS Edwin A. Abbey, in another chamber of this Boston Library, the delivery room, has his now world-famous decoration, the story of the Holy Grail, perhaps the most popular mural work in this country, certainly the best known, and the shrine for many years of the tourist. It is a series of panels narrating the history of the knights of the Arthurian legend, exquisitely told, for Abbey was a master illustrator, and there is great charm of arrangement and color, all making a popular appeal. Mr. Abbey was further commissioned to decorate the state capitol at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He attacked this work with great interest and enthusiasm, but his labors were interrupted by his death. The task was then taken up by Miss Violet Oakley, herself a distinguished mural painter, who, though handicapped by the circumstances of having to follow out the scheme of another artist, nevertheless disclosed great capacity and has made a success of the performance. [Illustration: FAMOUS WOMEN, by Barry Faulkner Decoration for the house of Mrs. E. H. Harriman at Arden, New York. From left to right the women pictured are Cornelia, Beatrice, Judith, Queen of Sheba, Joan of Arc, Helen of Troy, and Pocahontas] PUBLIC LIBRARY DECORATIONS