WOMAN IN ART
mata, and the sun makes a halo in the midst of the storm. The Omega of the series is reached in the first panel, and we read with a new comprehension—"the streams of the Law running through all countries, down throughout all ages, purified by Wisdom, meet in the Sea of Light, Divine Law."
Quoting again: "Violet Oakley is, in her time, a Voice—and her work, as well as that of William Penn, can truthfully be called a 'Holy Experiment.' She has consistently maintained a high ideal of government, and endowed abstract conceptions with the breath of life, thereby immeasurably enriching the national consciousness."
By the sequence of her three cycle subjects and of the consecutive panels of each in that state capitol. Miss Oakley has interpreted history and biography in the most impressive and unforgetable manner. Children of school age will learn more from her colorful history than from books, and will imbibe a deal of art at the same time.
Violet Oakley puts deep thought into all her decorative subjects; nothing she does is merely for color decoration. Twelve medallion windows were required for the residence of Mr. Robert J. Collier, of New York. Miss Oakley selected her subjects from Dante's Divine Comedy, citing lines from the three parts which she has illustrated, showing deep appreciation of the poet's word-pictures.
She represents Virgil as earthly wisdom in his conduct of Dante through the underworld. In Purgatory an eagle conducts the poet to the entrance of the Mount of Purification, and in Paradise it is Beatrice who shows him the stairway of Contemplation, leading to the seventh heaven. And the quotation follows:
"Her beauty raineth little flames of fire
Full of spirit that inspireth love
And in our nature quickens all good thoughts."
"The Building of the House of Wisdom" is the subject for the motifs in the hall of the home of Mr. Charlton Yandall, of Philadelphia. In the center of the dome is the Head of Wisdom, around which are the words: "Wisdom hath builded her House." In the outer space the four winds are calling: East Wind, "But where shall Wisdom be found?" South Wind, "Seek." West Wind, "Ask." North Wind, "Knock." This is bordered by an outer circle of waters, above which runs the answer : "Who findeth me findeth life, for by me thy days shall be multiplied."
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