The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-26
The Drawing Glasses at the Academy OF
Fine Arfa


The Drawing Glasses at the Academy of
Fine Arts.
IHE usual six months session of the drawing,
painting. and modelling classes at tho Academy
oi Fine Arts Will close to- morrow, and the pre-
sent is therefore proper time TO speak OF what
has been done by this institution for the ad-
vance ment OF art, and what could and ought to
De done. The classes have been unusually full
during the past winter, and q very decided in
terest has been manifested by the large number
of male and female students in attendance.
The engagement OF Professor Schussele as an in
strucIor was step in the right direction, but
IL was only stop. which ought to be followed
by mer more, and which must be followed Il
the directors of the Academy expect 10 main
tain the credit OF the institution as q school of
art Hitherto there has been no instructor, and
students have been obliged TO depend entirely
upon their own resources Under these circum'
stances, isit any wonder that American artists
are surpassed by their European brethren In
ali the niceties of drawing, color, and manipu.
lation? Professor Schussele received his own
art education at one of the best European
schools; and independently ofthe great talents
which have placed him among the first artists
of the country. he is thoroughly grounded In
all the principles and practices of art. His
engagement has produced the most gratifying
results, not only IN reviving an interest In the
the advancement of the students. 1t is i'm
possible. however, for Professor Sehussele to
carry the entire weight OF the institution upon
his own shoulders, and IL Is to be hoped
thst in the future the managers OF the institu-
too will exert themselves o little individually
to carry out in a proper spirit the intentions or
Its foundation. The Life class, in particular. ia
very badly regulated. and in the absence of the
Professor there Is seldom or never any one in
olta dan vii hn mt to tn
order or direct the class in their work. The
Committee on Instruction never pretend to
supervise the classes, and the students them
keives are frequently obliged to search for
models and arrange the poses, q task that ought
never to be entrusted 10 any but artists of expe
rience.
During the latter part of the season a a"rusSic''
model has been provided for the benefit of the
lady students and those who attend in the day
time. 1t is only by study from life that great
proficiency in drawing, painting, and model
ling the human figure can be obtained; aud
this is q matter OF the first Importance. Toe
draped model, however, is placed In little dark
and inoonvenient under ground IOom usually
devoted to the modellers u clay, who are thus
greatly hampered and annoyed In their work.
1t is impossible at any time to get sufn-
client light in ths place to work with
effect, but If the room was the best or only
one available there would be no legitimate
cause for complaint. Two of the galleries OF the
Academy have been vacant all winter, except
when occupied by picture dealers. 1t would
seem that they might with more propriety
be devoted to the use of the students, who
would thus have ample room and plenty OF
light for their work. The Antique gallery is also
too dark and too crowded, but better place
could not probably be provided In the present
building. &@
A
gagged in copying pictures, but beyond giving
the necessary permits, the authorities OF the
Academy have done soa, oely anything for their
benefit. Many of the pictures best adapted for
studies are SO badly hung that 1t is almost i'm
possible Tor the students to work with any
effect. A large majority OF the pictures. too.
are only interesting or valuable as curtosittes,
and are absolutely worthless as studies. The
directors OF the Academy scarcely ever make
any purchase of new pictures, and so strong
are their prejudices against making any addl-
tions TO their collection, that when public
opinion finally forced them to buy Gastaldi's
"Parisina"-oneo ofthe finest works ever brought
to this oity-for about one.tenth of Its value,
one OF their number. after protesting, resigned.
The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Is
the oldest institution of the kind in the coun-
try, and on the strength of Its ancient prestige
1t is endeavoring to obtain possession OF one OF
the Penn Squares. We think, however, that 1t
ought to show itself deserving of public conh-
dence and regard before 1t receives any favors
from the public. 1t has succeeded In driving
from 1t all the principal Philadelphia artists.
and 1t certainly has not In other respects kept
up with the spirit OF the age. We have a
sincere interest in the Academy OF
Fine Arts and make these remarks In no
censor ious spirit. The engagement OF Professor
Schussele was an eminently proper thing. but
this move will have to followed mp by others
in the same line. We hope sincerely that next
season better accommodations will be provided
for the students, ana the Eastern. galleries. If
not in use, ought to be given up to them rather
than to the traders In pictures.
THE PRECIOUS METALs.-A repert has just