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8 Fra Angelica and Ffis Angels Annlizabeth Madisox, ’34 A new and thoroughly independent de velopment of painting 1 took place in Italy in the beginning of the fifteenth century. The distinctive features of the new method were a vigorous comprehension of nature, a thorough study of form, and a complete in sight into coloring and perspective. Almost all the painters of this epoch united in es tablishing a new manner, known as the realistic, and in this way laying the foun dations of modern art. One artist, how ever, in the seclusion of his cloister, re mained true to the traditions and mode of expn ‘ssion of the middle ages into which, nevertheless, the incomparable beauty and feeling of his nature breathed fresh life. Fra Giovanni Angelica, (1387-1450) from the place of his birth, called da Fiesole, occupies an entirely exceptional position. He was the late-blooming flower of an almost by-gone time amid the pulsations of a new life. Never, in the whole range of pictorial art, have the inspired fervor of Christian feeling, the angelic beauty and purity of which the soul is capable, been so gloriously interpreted as in his works. The exquisite atmosphere of an almost supernaturally ideal life surrounds his pic tures, irradiates the rosy features of his youthful faces, or greets us, like the peace of God in the dignified features of his de vout old men. His prevailing themes are the humility of soul of those who have joyfully ac cepted the will of God, and the tranquil Sabbath calm of those who are lovingly consecrated to the service of the Highest. The movement and the changing course of life, the energy of passion and action, con cern him not. His range is limited, although a continuation of that which the Sieness strove after, but within its confines he at tained the highest excellence by means of glowing coloring, imperishable freshness and beauty of tints, and delicate modelling, as well as by an unsurpassable arrangement of drapery, and by distinct grouping and an impressive harmony. No piece illustrates these facts better than Fra Angelica’s Madonna dei Lin (Madonna of the Flax Workers) so called because the Flax Workers’ Guild employed Fra Angelica to paint it for 190 florins “or less, according to his conscience.” This Madonna is true to pietistic art, before the painter dared show the influence of the classical art that brought about the Ren aissance; she holds stiffly a fully dressed mannikin for the Christ Child. In contrast with this, on the gold frame are the twelve angel musicians, each playing a different instrument, arranged one above the other, five on each side and two leaning toward the center of the oval top. They have doll- like faces, rich coloring and delicate tracery in their garments and ornaments. His suave angels breathe the purest piety and humility; the brilliancy of color and richness is marvelous. Who does not when looking upon these glorified faces feel The Campus Mirror The Jitney Players Bernard Shaw’s amusing fable and sting ing satire on the glory of war, “Arms and the Man was played in Howe Memorial Hall on Tuesday evening, December 12. For two hours tin* audience of students and townspeople were transplanted to that ob scure Balkan kingdom that Shaw chose as the scene of his comedy, and lived once again the nonsensical yet stirring romance of Captain Bluntschli, the “chocolate sol dier" and the beauteous Raina, who loved a uniform quite as well as the soldier who wore it. On the stage of Howe the company which has traveled to every nook and cranny of this country set up their simple, effective scenery, brought out their necessary prop erties, and played the play with the straight forward manner of the strolling player. It was the kind of acting that could be appreciated by the initiated playgoer such as the Jitney Players have had for their audiences during their eleven years of trouping from the Canadian border to the Gulf and westward to the Rockies. Of the company of eight, the work of Alice Keat ing Cheney, one of the founders of the troupe, who played Raina, was outstanding. The Jitney Players were organized in 1023 for the purpose of carrying the spoken drama to the highways and byways of New England. With a convertible motor truck as a stage, auxiliary trucks as dressing rooms, and the sky for their roof, the com pany played on village greens, in parks, and on hospitable lawns; in the winter they used such college auditoriums, town halls and theatres as were available. Their fame grew, and the troupe extended its activities. The present southern trip is an outgrowth of this widespreading fame. Mad Ison l A freshman’s suggestion of a way to help recall her name. “Extra! Extra! All about Ison who went mad.” “Extra! Read the news right here. Three cents.” Such hurry and bustle on New York’s down town streets. The startling headline blazed before me as a newsboy passed. I walked up to buy a paper. Upon reading the story, I found it was just another of New York’s children gone “mad.” As I walked away, the sound of the news boy’s call grew fainter as he continued, “Ex tra! Extra! All about “Mad Ison.” Then I noticed that he was calling my own name, Madison. Error in November Issue The article, “The Urban League at the Fair," was written by Lee Olive Watts in stead of by Walter Ruth Madison. something of that peace which passeth un derstanding? 0 Angelica, but thou art im mortal ! Biology Department (Continued from Page 5) the common names of birds. Last year the biology students went on field trips, learn ing to identify birds which are common in this locality. Over sixty birds were identi fied and their characteristics recorded. During 1932-33 a club consisting of the Biology majors was organized. In this club groups of twos are now working out differ ent phases of bird life, such as plumage, nesting, courtship, and migratory habits. The record of growth is also indicated by the preparation, as indicated by degrees, and bv the tenure of the persons who have di rected the work since:— Miss Mary G. Converse, A.M., 1924-25, Professor of Science. Miss Hazel Converse, A.M., 1925-20, Bi ology and Hygiene. Miss Edith Rinner, A.M., 192(5-27. Mr. J. W. Lawlah, B.S., 1927-28. Dr. Louise Baird Wallace, PAD., 1928-31. Miss Harriet M. Gay, A.B., 1928-31. Mrs. Grace Holmes Delorm, A.M., 1929-. Mrs. Mary Juola Haga, M.S., 1929-31. Miss Eva Sherwood, A.M., 1930-33. Dr. Helen T. Albro, Ph.I)., 1931-. I)r. Anna Grace Newell, Pli.I)., 1931-. Since 1929 Spelman College students in their junior and senior years have had a wider selection of courses because they have been admitted to courses in Morehouse Col lege. The Call of the Yuletide Ruby Celeste Flanagan, ’30 "Come home,” the Christmas echoes softly call; Bet every one who halts along the way At Yuletide, listen, lest he fall And fail home debts to pay. “Come home,” the candles in the window burn, Lighted by tender hands that love you still; Let not new lights your footsteps turn’; Come where love’s echoes thrill. See through the frosty air yon silent star, Constantly, if night be drear, or doubly bright; Know that home loves call from afar To all o’ercome by night. No other night that all the good year holds Calls with such pity as the Christmas tide, When home would bring within its folds All on its outer side. Then let the A uletide beckon back once more To hearthstone warmth, where tender hearts await. Come back again from off the alien shore; Come home, come home, and love will close the gate. Country student: You know the window pane is broke out of my window. City student: No, the window is down from the top.