The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-24
A MUSEUM OF ART.

A Museum Of Art to BE Erected in This City
Meeting Last Evening TO Further the En-
terprise-Speeches by William Cullen Bry-
ant, Professor Comfort, DIR. Bellows and
Others.
Some time ago memorial from American citi-
gems in Europe, suggesting the importance OF early
measures for the establishment or q metropolitan
art museum, was received by the Art Com
mittee OF the Union League Club, and in
answer to call made by the committee,
asking for the cooperation and attendance OF
competent representatives or all existing organiza
tons connected with art In this city, meeting
held last evening at the theatre OF the club.
Twenty-siXtn street, which was crowded the
occasion. The meeting was duly organized by the
election OF Mr.. william Cullen Bryant as chairman.
In his address to the audience Mr.. Bryant
called attention to the wonderful. almost unnatu-
ra growth OF this city and Its increasing wants. and
compared 1t with cities OF the Old World, which,
although not half so rich had museums OF art OF
world wide renown. He deplored the absence OF
great institution which would 40 50 much to cult.
vate the taste of the people, and closed by intro
duclng Professor Comfort, OF Princeton College, New
Jersey.
Professor Comfort, after an elaborate dissertation
on the subject OF the origin OF the American people,
the superior intelligence OF The masses as compared
with other nations said that 'syoung Countryr was
not correct EXPIRE sson when used IN reference 10
the United states as FAR as beng developed
from barbarouS TO civilized condition
was concerned. There was no place IN the
world where artists were more needed than In this
country, and country where there was TO be
found greater artistic talent Alter referring at
length to the great museums OF Europe such as the
South kensngton ana that OF Berlin, he salu that In
laying out plans for museum tue constructors
should avail themselves OF the latest improvements.
Tne buildings used as museums IN Europe mad not
been built for the purpose OF museums and SO did
not answer as well as they might. museum
should be bult In some place where the dust OF tile
city could not enter IT, not be located In Il great
thorougniare, where other buildings could cause
reflection of light injurious to good view OF the
pictures but where 1t could be expanded ndeh-
mand. He knew OF only one place in
this vicinity which was suitable for mu-
(Appause.) As to Its style 1t should be
great work OF art not necessarily OF American archl
especially TO subserve the object for which It would
be erected aud nothing else. IT should be museum
worthy OF our city. and should represent the history
of art In all ages aud nations; for art
was cosmopolitan, belonging TO no country
In particular, aud great artist was
great man and citizen of tho world But
II possible to organize such museum He believed
IL was. AS to Its contents, he knew II was possible
reproduce every great WORK the world SO that the
copies would be as perfect the originals Them
selves In casts OF plaster OF Paris the great works
of all ages could be procured, and every one
marble, because, in the irst place, for
perfect copy It's texture was superior to
that OF marble. III Htu none Oh the DrgnL
rerlection the semi-translucency or marOe.
Though not so lasting 1t was cheaper than marble,
when was great point IN the matter OF taking
copies. Architecture could not be so easily repro
duced. The full sze for instance, OF the great
temples OF antiquity could not be had, but they
could be reproduced IN immature In cork anu
COPIES in plaster could be had oil Oil the Ornamental
tons and casts of the bases OF pillars, &C. 1t
would be difficult certainly to reproduce
pictures. There were many poor copies OF great
paintings In Europe now In this country, and many
persons believed on that account that correct copies
could not be made. This was an error. II the best
artists IN the country were commissioned TO 90 TO
Europe and there copy the very best works OF arc
there could be obtained collection very nearly az
good as the originals. In the matter OF the MINOR
arts, medallions, coins and such things where 1t
was impossible 10 get the origlnals, copies OF them
could be cast and they would the same purposes
as the originals Engravngs could be copied and
drawings photographed. The building would COZ {
great deal and should be located IN proximity to
an academy oil fne arts, so that students could go
olrectly from t1e lecture rooia ana examine the
subject OF the lecture in the museum.
Addresses were then made by Rfchard NJ Hunt,
Drs. Thompson and Bellows, Russell Sturges, Jr.,
and Mr.. Stebblns, of the PARK Commission. who
assured the audience the Commission would do oil
that lay In Its power TO further the museum enter
prise, alter which, on motion, the following reaoln-
lions were adopted
Resolved That In the opiaion Of this meeting esgsd