Ensley High School - Jacket Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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18 THE GLEAM “The Oath” and “King Lear” Edwin A. Abbey, an American painter, was born in Philadelphia in 1852; he died in 1911. When the Boston Public Library was completed, Mr. Abbey was invited to decorate the walls of the delivery room of this great library. At the same time, John Singer Sargent was asked to make the mural decorations of a gallery on the third floor of the library. Mr. Sargent chose as his subject, “The Sources of the Christian Religion ' and this decision led Mr. Abbey to select for his theme, “The Sources of Modern Literature.” As Abbey read and studied the subject, however, he was impressed to change his theme. The story of the Holy Grail seemed to him to be woven in and out through all of our literature, and Abbey had a kind of holy passion to represent this subject in a large decoration. His idea was carried out, and among the most famous mural paintings in America are the fifteen panels in the Boston Public Library which are known as the Holy Grail series. “The Oath,” which was among the first pictures secured by the Art League of the Ensley High School, is the second panel in Abbey's Holy Grail series. In the picture, one sees Sir Galahad taking the oath of knighthood. Behind him kneel the Knghts, Sir Bors and Sir Lancelot. They buckle upon Sir Galahad's heels the golden spurs of knighthood. The high vow of chivalry which Sir Galahad takes is this: To speak the truth and maintain the right; to protect the poor, the distressed, and all women; to practice courtesy and kindness with all; to maintain honor and the cause of God. Some one has said that Abbey’s Holy Grail symbolizes the crusade of civilization for the triumph of right over evil, and that Abbey’s pictures ought to be in every place where ideals of character and service are cherished. The Art League of Ensley High School appreciates deeply Abbey’s “King Lear,” given to us by Mr. Erskine Ramsay. In marvelous design and in exquisite coloring, Abbey has depicted one of the scenes from Shakespeare’s tragedy, called by Charles Lamb, the author’s greatest play. The original of Abbey’s “King Lear” hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of New York City. Our own copy is a most excellent reproduction. It is only slightly smaller in size, and the elaborate coloring is remarkably true to that of the original painting. To fully appreciate Abbey’s picture, one must recall the story of King Lear. In old age, he decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters—Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. He calls his daughters before him, demanding of them which one loves him most. Goneril, the eldest, declares her love for her father: “Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; A love that makes breath poor and speech unable.” Regan, the second daughter, says: “I profess myself an enemy to all other joys.”

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THE GLEAM 17 tional organization. We are striving for the same purpose that the girls in Europe, or the girls in South America are striving for, that is: ‘‘To find and give the best.” Our code is: “Gracious in manner Impartial in judgment Ready for service Loyalty to friends Reaching toward the best Earnest in purpose Seeing the beautiful Eager for knowledge Reverence to God Victorious over self Ever dependable Sincere at all times.” With our most capable advisers, Miss Shelton and Mrs. Stewart, and officers, Marguerite Matlock, Mable Varner, Rochelle Snow, and Anna Mary Singleton, we have a most successful year planned. ROCHELLE SNOW, '26. ------------o---------- The Art League The Art League, as some of you already know, was organized last year and even though it was the latter part of the year, we obtained several fine paintings. We bought one and had three framed. “King Lear,” a beautiful painting valued at three hundred dollars, was donated by Mr. Ramsey. “Men of Steel,” one of the most famous paintings of the steel mills, by Mr. Roderick McKenzie was given by the artist himself. These pictures are now in the library but will be placed in the halls when the new building is completed. Membership in the Art League is voluntary, the fee is only five cents a month. This money is received in the office and kept until enough is collected to buy a good painting. Last year we bought “The Oath,” by Edwin A. Abbey. This year we are going to continue the Art League and hope to get many more beautiful pictures to be placed in our corridors and in the session rooms. MARION ROBSON, ’26.

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THE GLEAM 19 Cordelia, the youngest, is indeed the daughter who loves her father most, but her reply is thus: “Good, my lord, You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honor you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they say They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed. That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry Half my love with him, half my care and duty: Sure I shall never marry like my sisters. To love my father all.” Poor old Lear is enraged at Cordelia’s answer, declares her a stranger to his heart, and gives his kingdom to Goneril and Regan and their husbands. In the picture, King Lear has vacated the throne and is leaving the room, escorted by attendants and followed by his dog. To the left, near the throne, stand Goneril and Regan, the haughty and disdainful sisters. Cordelia is in the center. Kissing her hand is the King of France, who, in spite of her lost fortune, loves her and claims her as the Queen of “fair France.” Cordelia is telling her sisters “Good-bye” in these words: “The jewels of our father, with washed eyes Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are; And like a sister am most loath to call Your faults as they are named. Use well our father: To your professed bosoms I commit him: But yet, alas! stood I within his grace, I would prefer him to a better place.” —MAUDE LUTTRELL.