New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-12
REPORT or u S. ART COMMISSION
OFFICE OF U. s. ART CosNIssIos,

OFFICE OF L. y. ART COMMISSION,
WAsHISGros, Feb. -, 1860. :
SIE. The L. s. Art Commissioners authorized by
Act of Congress June H. 1885, and March g. 1852 and
appointed by the President May Is, 1852 met and or
oanzed on the 18th Of June following and subsequently
made ttei preparatory survey of the public buildings
and grounds at the Seat of Government for the pur
pose of maturing general plan of action for carrying
ont the work entrusted to their charge For the fur
heranee Of this object they beg leave to submit the fol-
lowing Report upon the system Of decoration hereto
fore adopted in those buildings and TO recommend such
pIan for future art-decOraons and Embellishments rs
WILL in the opinion Of the Commissioners best secure
harmonious result.
The erection of great national capitol seldom oc-
cuis but once in the life Of nation The opportunity
such an event affords is important one, for the
PRESTON Of patriotic DEVOTION and the perpetuation
through the arts Of painting and sculpture OF that when
is high and noble and held IN reverence by the people;
and il becomes them patriots TO see TO that no
faint of falsity suffered to be transmitted to the fu
ture upon the escntcheon OF national honor IN It's
artistic record a theme 30 noble and worthy should
interest the heart of the whole eonutry-wnetheT pa
trot, Statesman, artist, one impulse should govern
the whole in oedcang these buildings and grounds TO
the natioBsl honor.
1t is presumed to be the wish of Government not
only TO deeoTse their present buildings 10 the best
possible manner but TO the opportunity which the
occasion affords to protect and develop national art
IL there ID ~ be any discrimination between native
and foreign artists the preference should be gwen TO
citizens And our national history in its application to
the decoration OF the public buildings should take pre-
cedepce OF ali other subjects.
II this assumption il correct the money expended by
Government for ths pnrp, 70, during the past hve or
Blk eas, with the exception Of commissions IKE those
Liven 10 Crawford and Rogers has been mlssappned
for find bni little ese which relates to our history,
or in which she American mind will ever be inere ted.
The arts afford strong bond OF sympathy aud, when
they shall have performed their mission here, by giving
.f ufar - an
several States shall have been represented, it will be
GROW ming tiDmph OF civilization. Art, like nations
has iis heroic history s refined and manly history, its
eemipate and history the sure presage OF de-
cay. Our Just entering the first Of these phases.
Shall We allow Il 20 be sDppanted here in its young
fe by that OF eete ana dc cay ed race, which in
way represents us Our pride should revolt "a; the
very idea. We should not forget soon the homely
msners and tasies OF ancestors and the hardshps
they endured With undauned hearts, but II should be
our price 10 welcome their venerated forms IN these
buildings grounds, and surround them with the in-
| s2Bis Of Iatons love and homagei and patriotic
| hands should perform this task.
10 is not enough that the artist select an American
subject tor his work. IIa must also be imbued with a
high sense Of the nature OF the institutions OF the
country and should have certain assimilation with its
habits and manners. lie should be, it were baptized
in the spirit of s naiit nality his labor, no viewer
well performed IN academic sense, Will fail TO meet
response from those for whom he tolls The Etruscan
art is manly interesting historic record OF other
miro iVrt h1"Di anu tue beautiful Nt VI the urceks
derives lis chef value from its nationality aud that
| the Egyptians from similar cause. IL requires bu
little determination TO perceive that, The arts Of
these different nations intermngled, they would lose
their chef yalue-their individuality. Arc own
portrait statues satisfactory, in which the Greek
Roman costume has been substituted for that by
the individual represented DO they not rather con-
yey feeling OF shame for the paucty Of invention
the part OF the artist, and an acknowledgment that
We have sought refuge in suia and draperies TO con
cel our want OF ia the eNpreson of character
We want nothing thrown in bet ween us and the facts
OF our history to esrange from il. We want TO be
brought hear ito realize existence not as
| myth. True genius presents no nightmare, no
perception and power Of expression, renders truth
| palpable 20 dnller senses.
We are shown in the Capitol room in the style OF
tho Loegia vi Raphael another in that Of fomPeh,