The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-02
IS The RESTITUTION WHAT IT SHOULD BEp

A more careful examination Of the Spring Exhi-
bitiOn has disappointed us. Hitherto the Academy
mas been treated with indulgence by the press from
fear thai just criticism would iniure it, Illounded
fear! The Academy has suffered from too muca
leniency; all of its exhibitions have been equally
praised, and the Directors have not been held to
strict account Thus, year by year, the exhibitions
have grown worse; and we do not hesitate to saw
that, with all proper allowance the present collec.
ton is discredltabe.
1t does not contain great picture.
1t has many that are good but 1t lacks variety
and its prevailing tone is commonplace.
The blan OF this must be divided among the Di-
rectors, the artis's and the newspapers
The Directors have shown a want of enterprise;
they have not endeavored with energy make great
exhibitions, but have depended upon the distribution
of circulars and voluntary contributions OF the DOS
SCISSORS of pictures. The management needs stho
rough reorganization; 1t must be awake ned from il
long Sleep New men should be put at ITS head.
Every name in the Board of Directors is we admit
good one; but what rterest do the majority of the
members take in the insutution9 Year after wear
the Academy, like an Old-fashioned Conestoga
wagon jogs along in deep ruts worn by half a cen.
fury of travel.
The artists who are always in a state of civil war
have been influenced by petty jealou ,ies Some
ol them make the Academy Their headquarters, and
control it 10 ad, ance their own regulations; others
equally to blame, refuse to have ANYTHING to do with
itEand will scarcely send their pic ures This wear
the annual quarrel with the Hanging Committee
has gone so far that two of the best artists in Pha
dephia, Edward Moran and omas Moran, have
not sent a single picture. James Hamilton IS not
well represented, though an cxhib ton without one
OF his great paintings is hkeH inlet wIh the Prince
omitted W. l. Richards has but TWO pictures and
those inferior to his average
Conceding that the Hanging Committee have a
delicate trust and, like the old mao aud his son
who took the jackass TO market, cannot hope to
please everybody, still agree that the pictures are
badly hung. The New YOrk painters-better repre-.
senied than we thought from our first visit-mono-
police the best places. The artists on the Hanynp
Committee have taken care OF each other ana manv
good pictures are hustled awav The best marine in
the collection, Liverpool Harbor," byJames Ham
ntOn, is hung in the mo obscure corner OF the
Northwest Gal cry, while in the Northeast Ga lery
the best room in the building where for many wears
IL has been the custom to place the best pictures
numbers of commonplaces are prominently dis
played. These instances that we need not null
tiply. The public may iudge for itself
The newspapers, II they had done their duty three
years ago. might have prevented tins gradual decline
OF the Academy, but their meaningless praise has
aided L With verv lew exceptions the art criti-
cisms have been little above the level of the theari.
cal pufs, in which every actor who comes TO town
IS styled "a man of unequaed genius" and every
actress beautiful and chas,e" While the manage.
ment of the Academy has lain in its Rip Van Winke
sleep, the newspapers have sung their "Rock.a.bYe
baby" lullabies in the most du Get tones To a public
institution unjust praise is more dangerous than
false censuTe
1t il not too late to re these evils. The Dreo.