The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-06
Gard from MIR. George r.. BenseII.
7e the Editor Of The EpeFi,ln 7eLenrnnh

n
| 10 the Editor Of The BUeniSg Telegraph.
In article appearing in one OF the Sunday papers
certain assertions are made, and certain motives are
ascribed TO OF the artists OF Philadelphia which
have no foundation IN fact feel called upon, there
lore, 10 contradict statement which places uB be-
fore the public in false light jealousy and rivalry
are indirectly but pOintedy mentioned the reason
or myself and my brother artists not exhibiting at
the Academy OF Fine Arts this spring; at least the
inference TO be drawn from the article to which ]
nave alluded would 30 indicate, and 1t becomes ne
cessaTy for me to state here what have already
stated 10 the directors that no such petty motives
actuate me- but that the deficiencies Of the Academy
and It's antagOnism to American art are sufficient to
keep me- and should, think, deter all American
artists, from exhibiting on its walls.
Ihe sum and substance OF my objections 10 the
Academy are as followB:-
The artists, to the best of my knowledge have no
real authority IN the institution existing under the
name OF the Pennsylvania Academy Of the Fine Arts
lnCy are vested with no right or privileges save
what are merely nominal. with the exception Of ad-
mission free OF charge worth one dollar head per
annum. The best Judges of art. and the means or
advancing the art interests of the community are
undcmably its artists. The best Judges of the busi-
ness interests of an institution its men OF busi-
ness Both should be associated together amicably
ana work side by side in the same good cause Bnt
Tor men OF means, simply because they are such, to
aTOgate the entire control OF an institution profess
ing to cultivate and foster art almost ignoring its
professors, and giving them an interest which
amounts 10 an insult would be absurd did IL not
country.
My second objection to the Academy of Fine Arts
IS that an academy has never before, To my know
ledge, been aught else but institution of learning
which last certainly cannot be said i'm this case rs
the directors have, for some time in the face of re-
spectiul petitions from the artists, made it an auc-
ton mart for foreign pictures.
To great extent (though the directors NAV he
unwilling to acknowledge iU the Philadelphia artists
nave built up the Academy, and given II whatever
standing 1t possesses as an art institution and this
treatment, to say the least is ungrateful
Lastly, the directors, having created body OF men
called Acadenicians to confer and consort with
hem IN all things relating to the government OF its
ART matters, see fit to suspend Mr. t. Moran without
calling meeting of AcademiCans OF which body he
was member contrary to their rules, thus showing
men unworthy OF the position they had given them,
ana incompetent to render any judgment in the
case III they had right to suspend member of
the Board OF Academicians without the concurrent
action OF that body, it is evident that the said body
must hold merely nominal position in other
words, they become the servants of the directors
hanging their pictures for them year by year and re-
ceiving wages the price of their admission To the
galleries and the title OF Academicans in the cata
logue, which title would be OF equal value were IL
issued in diplomas by Mr.. Earle any other dealer
l Is very distaseiul to to be obliged to express
these objections publicly. as had hoped time would
remove all diculties, but finding American art suf-
lerlng so severely and myself attacked indirectly
deem IL my duty to attempt vindicaton OF its
cause, and my own, feeling that both are Identical
AS n STOCK company did il not profess to be the
PenpsylyaniG Academy OF the Fine Arts the insttu
- So ~s''nn "aan hA EaeistV af wnrthU
Llon III qu,.
with the purpose of making money in a legitimate
manner, and would Qn that rOLe) deserve credit for
cultivating the taste of the public by introducing
European art, and by any other means they might
The Academy has helped to instruct many young
artists myself among the number) for which we
cannot fail to be grateful; but it must not be for
gotten that the artists, in turn have labored for it
and beautited its paying exhibitions every year The
funds has spent in the tuition OF young artists has
been good investment possibly disinterested one.
After much spurrlnR, some time ago the directors
purchased the "Parsina, line work OF art, the irri
tating stimulant being the Artists Fund Society,
some of whose members did not wish so fine paint
ing to go out OF Philadelphia.
The directors have lately, under the same indirect
spur, engaged Mr.. SChuSsec, q prominent and
worthy artist, as professor. This has been move
in the right direction
But the Academy is extremely defective in many
respects, and 1t can never fully meet the require
ments of its till its art interests under the
control of professional artists. Al it now exists its
title is msnomer for as an art institution, 1t is but
half aiiVe having but little no sympathy from the
only men who could put new animation in its wasted
proportions and no feeling with the only men who
understand the requirements Of It's haze. cannot
but confess that the vacillating and timd condiCS
OF OF the profession has been the cause OF much
Of the want of confidence displayed by the directors
and the energy and nerve necessary to Insist upon
their Just rights withdraw from the Academy,
have been greatly wanting among many OF the artists
Finding 1t useless to contend longer in an almost
hopeless cause sent in my resignation to the Artists
Fund Society and the Academy on the same day.
While the Pennsylvania Academy OF the Fine Arts
remains under its present system OF management
and name, cannot conscientiously las an American
artist and having the good Of native art at hearD
consent to exhibit on its walls but should the
changes limited at take place, no one would work
harder or desire more deeply its success
| do not wish unnecessarily to find fault with
others of the profession who may differ with me, but
trust that viii get credit for higher motives than
are ascribed in the article which called for this
reply GEO. +. BBNsELL.