LA FARGE, John, American artist: b. New York, 31 March 1835; d. 14 Nov. 1910. He was the son of Jean Frederic de la Farge, French midshipman, who escaped imprisonment at San. Domingo, 1806, and eventually settled at Philadelphia. He studied drawing with his grandfather Binsse and went abroad in 1856. He studied for some time under Couture in Paris and later settled down in a lawyer's office in New York. He became much attracted by the Arundel prints of Giotto and formed a deep appreciation of Japanese art. He found a friend and master in William Hunt. He married Margaret Perry, great-granddaughter of Benjamin Franklin, in 1860. He originally developed a taste founded on Japanese liberal ism. pre-Raphaelite conventionality and imagi native conventionalism. In 1876-77 he was en gaged on the mural decoration of Trinity Church, Boston. He began glass painting and window designing in 1878 and was successful in the manufacture and designing of stained glasses. He was connected with Saint-Gaudens in the erection of the King mausoleum at New port, R. I. He visited Japan and the islands of the Pacific , in 1886. Many water-color sketches of native life resulted from this trip. One of his greatest works is the large altarpiece in the church of the Ascension, New York (1888). Other noteworthy works are 'Christ and Nicodemus,) Trinity Church, Boston; 'The Muse of Painting,' Metropolitan Museum, New York; 'Coming of the Magi,' church of the Incarnation, New York; among his mural dec orations are those in .the Brick Church, New
York; Paulists' Church, New York; Congrega tional Church, Newport, R. I.; Minnesota State Capitol, Saint Paul; his glass designs include 'Samuel' in Judson Memorial Church, New York; 'The Philosopher,' Crane Memorial Library, Quincy, Mass.; window in Second Presbyterian Church, Chicago; 'Battle Win dow,' Memorial Hall, Harvard; 'Paul at Athens,' Columbia University Chapel. In 1869 he became a member of the National Academy; in 1891 was made officer of the Legion of Honor, and was one of the seven original mem bers of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. La Farge was skilful as a colorist, however much we may criticise his inadequate conception and weakness in drawing. He is an important figure in the history of American painting and was a real pioneer in mural paint ing. He also painted portraits, flowers and landscapes. He contributed frequently to the magazines and published 'Consideration on Painting' (1895) ; 'Great Masters) (1903) Higher Life in Art' (1910) ; 'Reminiscences of the South Seas' (1912). Consult Coffin, C. H., 'American Masters of Painting' (New York 1892); Cary, E. L., 'International Studio' (Vol. XXXVIII, ib. 1909); Cortissoz, Royal, 'John La Farge: A Memoir and a Study' (ib. 1911); Isham, Samuel, 'History of American Painting' (ib. 1905) ; Waern, 'John La Farge: Artist and Writer' (London 1896).