The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-06-26

IS ago, and therefore, very charitably undertake
TO enlighten them on the subject. They commence
with their usual Jesutcal assertions OF good feel
ing and friendship at the same time repeating their
slabs upon the dead institution, which they have
been following up from the first of their existence
and ceased not until they accomplished their OBJ
ject-thc downfall Of rival institution. They cay
that the American Academy was endow ed by sub
scrptlon with about $1,000, and in 1926 it amounted
10 nearly $4,000 Now, observe, the difficulties
began Just at this time seventeen years ago. This is
their own statement
They now discover that the directors of the A. A.
are not competent TO manage their own affairs II
required the superior judgment and wisdom OF
artists TO conduct 1t for them. The truth is, they
wanted to obtain the SIS 900 and because the d.
rectors differed from them in opinion, they have not
been forgiven to this day.
They Also neglect 10 state that this mseraby
conducted" institution established upon the IL
beral principles of allowing all students free access
AT all times during the day, who had the use of the
choice collection of statuary TO draw from, and the
study of some OF the best works of old masters, many
of them from the gallery of Joseph Bonaparte, and
the cabinet of rare books and paintings, presented
by Napoleon.
advantage of the use of these works. without money
orprice although so bitter in their denunciations of
the Academy. They have succeeded in destroying
the best school If Arts established in this coun-
try. The time is far distant, if ever our young
artists can again enjoy the same privileges as those
did in the palmy days of the old Academy / will
refer to the public journals of the last seventeen
years for proof Of what assert. Such has been
tl,a nd
will be to all that they consider interfering with or
crossing their interests II is true, they speak well
of the Apollo, now it no longer exists. If they had
not been hostile to it, why use their influence to
prevent artists generally from exhibiting with them
-threalening some and calolng Understanding
acadeinicians and associates without number-a
thing they had not done in years before, although
repeatedly urged TO, as acts of justice.
Wesec by the extracts from London papers, that
"a society similar TO, and on the same principles as
the apollo" has fund of II, 900 guineas for the
purchase of pictures; and here the artists will not
sustain an institution favorable to their interests,
because the directors of the National Academy for
bid them under pain of their august displeasure.
The directors speak largely and complacenty of
what they have been doing for the Arts of Design
for the last II years for at the beginning of that
period they say the arts were at very low ebb.
Now, we will trace their progress for these last IL
years, and see what they have done for the ad.
vancement Of the Arts, although they have so loud
and long blown their own trumpet. In the first
place, they establish drawing school (and let il be
observed they have never taught any thing else) and
cajole all the youth of the city they could get to at
tend Uhe more the better) at So per head. They
closed day and night the year round, excepting
winter evenings which is the only opportunity that
the students can avail themselves of-they soon get
full school, which speculation pays very well
The pupils, after spending considerable money and
two or three winter seasons begin to think it time
to paint picture but, alas they have been taught
the use of the crayon only. The next enquiry is,
how are they to proceed 7 and the answer is go to
Mr.. NJ, or Mr.. l., or MIR. W., and give them pre-
MUM of 400 or $500, and they will teach you the
art The student now awakes, and the scales fall
from his eyes, and he finds he must pay roundly Cf
able) to acquire knowledge of the profession No
thing daunted he spends two three years more
of his time and then makes his first bow TO the pub
pc with picture. In few years more he becomes
convinced that the Institution for the promotion of
the Arts of Design has led him into the error OF sup
posing himself an artist, and aband9ns the profess
sion in despair fever succeeding.
The directors exultlngly call the attention of the
public to the vast Improvement in the arts since it
has been under their fostering care. Now let us
ask this same public Chose who have had the oppor-
lunity) to compare these exhibitions, year after
year, as we have, and see what has been done
compare the present with any of the former, and the
result will give unequlvocal answer. Improve
ment, indeed The best that can be obtained from
their seventeen years oflabor will not compare with
The works of Trumbull, Stuart, Jarvis, vanderlyn.
Suy, Allston, and host of others who flourished
before their institution was in existence See what
their boosted improvement amounts to
We might continue the subject still further; but
enough for the present We shall return to the sub
ect by and by.