Howard Pyle, a chronicle by Charles D. Abbott, with an introduction by N. C. Wyeth and many illustrations from Howard Pyle's works.

HOWARD PYLE: A CHRONICLE
As my mural work has only just begun within
the past year or so, and as I only worked at it in the intervals of my other occupations, the list of my work is distinguished chiefly on account of its brevity.
"I suppose the most important of the two examples that
have been finished within the past year is a set of painted
panels which decorate my own house.'
"This decoration consists of a series of seven panels:
four of them figure panels, and three of them landscapes.
Of the four figure panels, two are quite large ( 8 by i o)
and two are smaller (8 by 3). These four represent 'The
Genus of Art,' 'The, Genus of Literature,' 'The Genus
of Music,' and 'The Genus of Drama.' The two larger
panels are quite elaborate groups of figures.
"'The Genus of Art' was exhibited (unfinished) in the
Society of Architects, in 1905, and appeared to attract a
good deal of attention; at least, it was given a very distinguished place in the Exhibition, and I heard quite a
great deal of comment upon it.
"In this panel, The Genus of Art, clad in semi-transparent golden draperies, is leading a procession of figures who
are following admiringly after her. The picture is quite
filled with blossoms, and two peacocks,, gaudy with iridescent color, march with the leading figure.
"The second panel-'The Genus of Literature'-represents a dark-clad figure crowned with bay leaves, and
standing against a wide, open sky with a strip of ocean in
the distance. She is chanting to the accompaniment of a
golden lyre which she plays, and a group of figures at the
1 These paintings have now passed into the possession of the Wilmington
Society of the Fine Arts, and are on view in the gallery of the Wilmington
Public Library.
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