The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-24
THE FINE ARTS.
Art Rducafion.

Europe, the venerable DR. Samuel d. CROSS when
called upon to respond to q toast in behalf Of the
medical profession, suggested an idea OF 80 much
importance, and urged It with 30 much eouuence
that ought not to be allowed to rest alone with the
comparatively few gentlemen who were present on
the OCCASION very large majority OF whom it ia
safe TO say, did not understand or appreciate the
suggestion at its full value Dr. Gross inslsed that
certainly in no collegiate institution in this country,
and perhaps in none in Europe was there chair of
Hsthetics, and then IN a brief but pointed address
he urged with great force the Importance OF
art education, its humanizng, cyilizinR, and
elevating influences study OF art, he con-
tended was as important in its way as the study OF
literature and science, and these different branches
of learning should be made to combine in one educa-
ona institution not only TO fit the student for the
daily work Of life, but by cultvating taste for the
beautiful, to refine and purify his Imagination dsCi-
pline his faculties, and by critical and exhaustive
study OF the principles OF beauty, as illustrated in
nature and in art to lead him up to higher appreca-
ton OF the ways Of the Creator made manifest in
His works The fine arts, represented by the COM
prehensive term aesthetics should be studied in our
colleges in the same manner that literature is, and
the one should be made to interpret and illustrate
the other. We believe that have stated correctly
the substance Of the argument advanced by DIR.
Gross and the idea is pregnant, and Of the first
value, we hope that the esteemed Professor of Sur
gerry at the jefferson Medical College may be induced
to give the public the benefit OF a fuller expression
of it,
It is an ndisputable fact that art culture in the
United States is far, very far behind literature, sci
ence and other branches One great reason for this
is that art not taught in schools that we have
professorshps of aesthetics and that we have no art
schools and permanent galleries that will teach the
public what genuine refined and noble art really is.
In Europe regularly and efficiently organized aca-
denies and the great public galleries form the CEN
tres of art culture and certain extent least
hv
instruction in the colleges and universities In this
country we have no such appliances; and while we
have advanc ed with rapid strides in other directions,
lag behind in art matters, 1t is certainly time for
to be stirring ourselves and making some earnest
efforts in the way Of art education, and all the dis
cussion that has taken place about the deficiencies
OF the fossized concern in our midst which pro-
fesses to represent the Of art education would
be vaueless if it had no higher aim than to encOu-
rage quarrel between certain very worthy gentle
and the artists OF city, if it does not lead
to some decided movement being made towards
giving live Academy OF the Fine Arts that will
compel the artists to into its fold, and with
which none of them can afford to quarrel.
The quarrel between the Academy and the artists,
the squabbles about the hanging of pictures and the
holding of art auctions in the Academy building,
although they are all items in the list of charges
against the institution, are in reality OF very Sc
condary Importance, which should in no be al
cation.
Within the last twenty years there has been an AVA
kening in England on the subject Of the immense i'm
portance of art education, considered merely from
commercial and industrial point of view. 1t
found impossible to compete with other countries
and particularly with France, in any of the lines OF
manufacture in which the arts OF design called
in to aid in beautiying the labor of the artisan and
it was a question between the establishment of art
schools and the depreciation in value Of large
number of manufactured articles.
The result was that art schools were established
and are now being carried on with in all the
Cities towns, and villages of any Importance with the
aid and under the auspices of the government; and
something OF the same kind must be done in the
United States unless we expect to be dependent on
Europe for everything that is elegant and beautiful
in the way Of textile fabrics and the thousand and one
articles that are used to adorn households. The
School of Design for Women in this city is begin
ming in the proper directon but it is a mere begin
ming, and although we believe it to be an excellent
institution of its kind-it is under the superinten-
dence of a practical and highly designer
by-the-way-its field of operation is necessarily
limited, and in that sphere its means are too
small to allow it to do all that its conductors de-
sire
What need in Philadelphia, and what we must
have, if expect to well-trained race OF Anne
rcan artists, and educated public capable OF ap-
precatng their works, is properly organized and
properly conducted Academy OF flne Arts The pre-
sent institution designated by that name is simply
stumbling block and rock OF otfense AS long as it
is carried on under the existing system of manage
ment it will be practically worthless school of art
whether to the artists the public and it stands in
the way of something better. The matter has come
to such a pass however, that if something is not
done to reorganize and regenerate the Academy of
Fine Arts, persistent effort will be made to supply
its place with institution that will carry on the
work in proper manner.
The North american, in very odd article published
ON Saturday in reply TO what appeared in THE TELE-
GRAPH about ten days ago on the subject OF 'Art
Patronage" when we alluded to the young sculptor
Harnisch, and his inability to find purchaser for
his statue, makes some statements which will illus
trate exactly the point that we desire to impress
upon the minds OF our readers. Our contemporary
says:-
For forty years the labor of trying to build up here
going and yet has failed TO make much impression
And again:-
No organization of patrons of art can be formed in
Philadelphia at all approaching in social power wealth
The artists deceive themselves if they suppose that they
organize more commanding body"
The fact is that the Pennsylvania Academy Of
Fine Arts has been smOthered beneath the weight of
its respectability. Those who started it and those
who carry it on have been and are gentlemen of
wealth and social position and personally they are
in every way entitled to our regards. The Academy
however, has been TO them merely plaything to
amuse their leisure moments They neither asked
desire the cooperation of the artists judging
that the advantages offered in the way of the schools
| and galleries places for the exhibition would be
sufficient TO compel the profession to cling TO their
skirts. Why has the labor OF forty-sX years devoted
TO building up school OF figure art failed TO make
an impression on the artists? Simply,
| because there has been no real and earnest