CLASSIFICATION OF NEW BOOKS BY SUBJECTS IN PERCENTAGES-(continued)

Fiction. It is a second common | While the proportion of fiction has complaint that fiction is absurdly pre- remained practically stationary dur dominant in contemporary publishing. As the form of recreational reading of widest appeal, the primacy of fiction in the classification of annual issues of new books is rarely challenged. Yet this table shows that in normal years the proportion of fiction is fairly stable at about 14 per cent. The low of 1910 and the peak of 1920 were due to more or less temporary causes; the end percentages of the 25-year period are practically the

same.

ing the quarter-century, the propor tion of non-fiction books in the classes serving the interests of the general reader has increased by nearly one half. The new titles in history and biography together now practically equal the output of fiction; the addition of geography and travel and poetry and drama gives a total of books for the general reader almost double the fiction titles. In 1900 these four classes constituted 17.5 per cent. of the year's total output; in 1924 the proportion was nearly 25 per cent. Here is clear indication of a growing interest in the more serious forms of recreational reading.

Religion. Religion, always prominent in the classification, now ranks next to fiction, and the two classes together account for nearly one-quarter of all the new books published. That there is a decided shift of Philosophy in the quarter-century has reading interest towards these nonpractically doubled its proportion, fiction classes, all general publishers and poetry and drama has steadily are aware, and their lists are respondadvanced from ninth place to fourth. ing to the demands of the changing Business now ranks with other pro- public taste. More impressive evifessions in having a literature of its dence of the extent and direction of own. Law and education show start- the change would be supplied by ling declines, but it is probable that properly classified census figures of the declines are in large part ficti- book manufacture. The census classi tious, due to closer classification in fication is not nearly so detailed as the later years. the international classification fol History and Kindred Subjects.—lowed by the Publishers Weekly, and

the inclusion of "pamphlets" with | cent. since 1919, fiction in 1923 was books limits the value of the census figures as indicators of trends in the demand for books. Still, there are in the following figures for the census years 1914, 1919, and 1923 some suggestions of interest.

Probably not half the annual totals are books. Still, it is noteworthy that, though it has increased 25 per

still 25 per cent. below the production of 1914; that juveniles trebled in the 9-year period; that religion and theology doubled; that history increased more than 150 per cent; and that total production in 1923 was double that of 1914. Our people are reading more, and they are reading more serious books.

CLASSIFICATION BY OUTPUT

PRODUCTION OF BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS IN THE UNITED STATES
Census Years 1914, 1919, 1923

* New classification in 1923, mainly drawn from "All others." Book Prices. This is notwith- | per cent.; and binding, 18 per cent.standing that book prices are consid- an average of 91 per cent; while the erably higher than prevailed before retail price of the average book has the war. These higher prices are been increased only 55 per cent., nota third grievance commonly ex-withstanding a concurrent increase in pressed against American publish the discounts allowed to booksellers. Yet figures compiled by the Publishers are working on a much National Association of Book Publish- smaller margin of profit than before ers in 1925 show that since 1914 the the War, and the soundness of the cost of composition has increased 78 industry rests on the facts that fewer per cent.; electrotyping, 100 per cent.; books are being published and more paper, 79 per cent.; press work, 186 books are being sold.

ers.

DIVISION XXXVII

THE ARTS

PAINTING

BY LEILA MECHLIN

SECRETARY, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF ARTS

London home. He was about to sail for the United States to attend certain ceremonies held by art organizations and associations, among which was the unveiling of his recently completed mural paintings for the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Present Tendencies.-Progress can- | death of John Singer Sargent, one of not be measured by activity; but ac- the greatest portrait painters of our tivity undoubtedly evidences life. day, who died in his sleep at his This being true, American painting during the year 1925 has given abundant token of robust vitality. Furthermore, and this is exceedingly to its credit, the dominant note of American paintings as shown in current exhibitions during this twelvemonths' period has been cheerfulness, Sargent was born in Florence, and cheerfulness based on a healthy Italy, in 1856, the son of Dr. Fitzoutlook and technical proficiency. william S. Sargent of Boston, phys The so-called Modernists were aician and author; and Mary Newbold, gloomy lot and their works for the a member of a Philadelphia family. most part stressed ugliness rather He never renounced his American than beauty. The reason for that citizenship, though he lived almost movement was, no doubt, the fact continuously abroad. His funeral, that the pendulum had swung too far which was at his London home, was toward weak prettiness. Be that as marked by great simplicity. The it may, these madmen have rendered burial took place at Woking, 20 a service to contemporary painting miles from London, in a picturesque by jarring the painters out of old country district. A memorial serv ruts and inducing bolder and simpler ice was held for him later in Westexpression. The majority of the minster Abbey. A memorial tablet paintings seen today in the great to him is to be placed in St. Paul's exhibitions are colorful, frank, con- Cathedral, London. cise statements, which get their message over very directly and not only please the eye but command respect. They indicate individually a youthful, vigorous outlook, a sensitive appreciation of beauty and particularly of color values; and, as a whole, an amazing amount of technical skill on the part of the painters. Among the notable occurrences in the field of painting in America this year which will set it apart permanently, the following deserve special attention.

Sargent.-April 15, the world was shocked by the announcement of the

Through the generosity of Sir Jo seph Duveen a new Sargent wing is being added to the Tate Gallery of London. This will contain all of the Sargent paintings in the possession of the British Nation, including, it is understood, the Wertheimer portraits from the National Gallery.

A memorial exhibition of Sargent's works was held in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in November, at which time the mural decorations al ready referred to were unveiled. A handsome illustrated catalogue was published.

Other Losses. In this same field other serious losses must be recorded. George Bellows, a dominant figure among American painters of the present day, died January 8, 1925, at the age of 42 years, after a short illness. A memorial exhibition of his works was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, during November, at which time was issued a beautiful catalogue reproducing all of the works shown.

9.

group of his canvases was exhibited. Edwin H. Blashfield, the President of the National Academy of Design, presided at the meeting.

In further recognition of this great event a memorial was dedicated on May 1 at Tarpon Springs, Florida. This took the form of a hall, in which exhibitions, music and other entertainment may be given. It was at Tarpon Springs that Inness spent many of his winters and painted some of his best pictures.

Willard L. Metcalf, the wellknown landscape painter, died March Five towns of North Dakota also An exhibition of Mr. Metcalf's celebrated the Inness Centennial by paintings was shown during the exhibitions of reproductive prints and month of January in the Corcoran special programs in the schools and Gallery of Art, Washington. colleges.

Dwight W. Tryon, also distinguished as a landscape painter, died July 1, 1925. His estate was left to his widow during her lifetime. At her death it is to go to Smith College for the purpose of founding an art gallery there.

An

A loan exhibition of Old Masters was held in the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, from April 30 to June 5. These were drawn from twelve private collections.

Other Exhibitions.-Witnessing to a lively interest in the art of painting and in appreciation of the best, mention may be made of a comprehensive exhibition of portraits by John Neagle (1796-1865) held in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Centenary Exhibitions. The Na- Arts through the coöperation of Mantional Academy of Design celebrated tle Fielding, from April 12 to May the centenary of its founding by an 13. This comprised 125 paintings exhibition comprising paintings and lent by their several owners. sculpture by deceased and living elaborate illustrated catalogue was members which was opened in the issued. Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, on October 18, by the President of the United States, and was visited by 70,000 persons during the four weeks it was there on exhibition. From December 2 to January 3 the A notable loan exhibition of Early exhibition was shown in the Grand American Portraits, Miniatures and Central Galleries, New York. An Silver, assembled by a local commitelaborate illustrated catalogue was tee, was set forth in the National issued in connection therewith. For Gallery of Art, National Museum, this exhibition Edwin H. Blashfield, Washington, during the month of DePresident of the Academy, painted a cember. This was one of the most large allegorical picture, "Academia." comprehensive exhibitions of the sort Inness Centennial.-The centenary which has yet been held, and laid furof the birth of George Inness was ther emphasis on the value of, and also celebrated this year; he was born increasing interest in the works of at Newburgh, N. Y., May 1, 1825. In the early American period. recognition thereof a loan exhibition of about thirty of his paintings, ranging from the '60's to his last period, was held in the late winter at the Macbeth Galleries, New York. Much Foreign Artists. Quite a number of Inness' life was spent at Montclair, of foreign painters exhibited in the New Jersey. It was fitting, therefore, United States under the auspices of that on May 3 there should be held our several art museums during the at the Montclair Art Museum a cele- year. Among these were Zuloaga bration commemorating the 100th an- and Anglada, Spaniards; Anders niversary of his birth. Here, too, a Zorn, deceased; and Count Louis

A notable loan exhibition of Dutch and Flemish paintings was held at the Detroit Institute of Arts in January.

The Society of Mural Painters assembled and sent out as a traveling exhibition a comprehensive collection of mural paintings, not only by Americans but by the leading mural painters of Europe. This opened in the Brooklyn Museum in February.

Sparre, of Stockholm, Sweden; Savely Sorine, a Russian artist; and Anna Ciardi, an Italian painter, and the brothers Zubiaurre, painters of Basque scenes. Besides which mention should be made of an exhibition of British art, retrospective and contemporary, held in the Grand Central At the annual meeting of the Amer Galleries, New York, under the aus- ican Institute of Architects held in pices of the English Speaking Union. New York in April, the medal for Mural Paintings. A number of mural painting was awarded postimportant mural paintings were un-humously to John Singer Sargent. veiled during the year, in addition Edwin H. Blashfield delivered a to the Sargent series, to which refer- eulogy on the great artist. The ence has already been made. These award for Mr. Sargent was made to comprised four huge lunettes by Jules Mr. Guy Lowell, a distant relative. Guérin in the banking room of the Union Trust Company, Cleveland, and a series by the same painter in the banking room of the Illinois Merchants Bank Building in Chicago.

Twelve large mural paintings by John W. Norton, depicting the evolution of man, were placed in Beloit College, Wisconsin, and dedicated June 20, the gift of Frank G. Logan, Vice-President of the Art Institute of Chicago.

A painting by Lee Woodward Zeigler, representing Maryland, was placed in the lobby of the Maryland Institute and unveiled at the Institute's Centennial Anniversary Celebration in June.

Mural paintings by George Laurence Nelson were unveiled at Public School No. 40, in the Bronx, New York, in the same month.

A series of mural paintings by George Obertauffer were placed in the Children's Room at the Art Institute of Chicago.

A series of nine mural paintings by William Clark Rice, entitled "The Procession of the Fashions" was presented to the Jonas Bronck School (Public School No. 43) New York City, during graduation exercises in

June.

Sponsored by the Philadelphia Art Alliance there was unveiled in the new Walt Whitman Hotel in Camden, New Jersey, in September a mural painting by Robert E. Johnston, entitled "In a Dream I saw a City Invincible." This is a symbolic composition, the outstanding feature of which is the figure of the "good gray poet."

Fellowships and Medals.-The fel lowship in painting of the American Academy in Rome was awarded to Michael Joseph Mueller of Durand, Wisconsin, a student of the Yale Uni versity School of Fine Arts, for a painting entitled "Eternal Life." The jury of award was composed of Edwin H. Blashfield, Ezra Winter, Eugene Savage, Francis C. Jones and Douglas Volk.

At the annual meeting of the American Academy of Arts and Let ters in November the medal of the Academy was awarded to Cecilia Beaux for her distinguished work in painting. This is the first time that this medal has ever been awarded for painting.

Among numerous important pur chases of paintings and gifts of paintings recorded during the past year are the following:-The Friends of American Art presented to the Art Institute of Chicago five important paintings. The John Herron Art Institute of Indianapolis received as a gift from the Friends of American Art of that city a "Portrait of Margaret MacKittrick" by Abbott H. Thayer. The Albright Art Gallery, Buffalo, purchased a painting by Ab bott H. Thayer entitled "The Boy and the Angel," at a cost of $40,000. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts acquired by purchase the painting by George Bellows entitled "Emma and Her Children." The Metropolitan Museum of Art received as a gift from Mrs. E. H. Harriman a painting by Max Bohm entitled "The Evening Meal." The Museum also purchased a painting by John C.