The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-09
A New Academy of Fine Arts.

Athens. Boston, by long years of literary
culture, has excelled us in the art of author
ship. New York, by her enterprise and
wealth, has left us in the commercial back
ground, But there yet remains field which
is still pre-eminently our own. In the world
of art we still stand foremost. There is no
other city which can boast of such amateur
operas as Mr.. PERELLI has given us. There
is no other city with an Academy of Music
which could do so much towards aiding the
progress of music in our land; and there
should be no other city which could compete
with us tor beauty in our Academy of Fine
Arts, and for excellence of paintings.
The unanimity with which the press has
condemned the collection OF works now on
exhibition, as a whole, must have torn the
scales from the directors eyes, and convinced
them, If they were never convinced before,
that there existed some radical defect which
needed correction. During the last ten years
the general public have taken q vast stride
towards the ability to correctly appreciate
works Of art and judge ior themselves. A
Philadelphia assembly such as daily fills the
Academy contains larger proportion OF criti-
cal amateurs than probably any other body
OF similar number, drawn from the same DIVER
sifed society, in the world. 1t has, therefore,
become matter OF necessity, as well as pro-
priety, that the exhibition presented should
be such as to merit examination.
lhe question now presents itself--Will the
eaders OF the World Of Art take active steps
towards finding a remedy tor the present
evil, or will they by supine negligence allow
the taste now possessed by so many to die out,
and leave the people uninterested spectators
of that in which they once were enthusiastic?
What is necessary at the present time is new
Academy, new building, better adapted to
the wants Of the spectators, and in which JUS
tice can be done to a greater number of
artists The present Academy, built years
ago, was modelled alter the best rules OF
architecture as they then existed, but vast
strides have been made since; and the fact
that the gallery at the Sanitary Fair, tempo
rary and slight as it was, was better room
for hight and hanging than the venerable
institution in Chestnut street, IS an evidence of
what improvement in a new building might
be made. All that the directors need do is to
throw themselves on the liberalty of the
public, and the stock necessary would be sub
sclibed to with rapidty which would surprise
themselves. We can feel the popular pulse
and are sure that it beats high in favor of
making Philadelphia more pre-eminently the
art-centre OF America than she is to-day. Let
the experiment be tried, and before MANY
mole years have passed there will be heard
commendation where now condemnation is
uttered.
The erection Of a new hall will stimulate
our native artists to greater exertions, and
also cali from abroad contributions more
numerous and OF greater excellence than
heretofore exhibited to us. In fact, a power
full impetus would be universally given to all
the artists of our land; and if we could but
excite the emulation of our resident painters,
they could make the exhibition rich without
the aid of outside contributions. We have
gentlemen in our city who need not be afraid
to measure swords, or rather brushes with
the residents of any other municipality in the
land
With this material in their hands, and the
abundant foreign aid which will always flow
to help those who help themselves, there need
be no fear on the part of the Directors that
the largest and best building they could erect
would ever be too large for the contributions
sent in. The demand will always create
supply. and if it were known that the walls OF
new and improved building were bare, there
would flow In from all quarters works of art
to cover them with genius. Let them, there
fore, step out boldly from the beaten track
have ne W building, better accommodations,
and larger, newer, and finer collection OF
paintings, and the next five years will see
mighty advancement in the artistic scale of
Philadelphia excellence. If they neglect, the
results OF their refusal must rest upon them
selves. They are all gentlemen of wealth and
energy, public-spirited citizens and we doubt
not that they will see that the needed i'm
provements are made.
The Unjust Demands of the Rebel States
for Superior Power.
WE cannot too often call the attention OF the
voters OF this State to the issue of equalizng