The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-15
THE FINE ARTS.
Art Patronage.


The subjects Of art education and art encourage
ment are of so much importance at this particular
uncture to the American people, that pleased
to some OF the papers Of this city entering into
the discussion Of the merits and deficiencies of the
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the oldest in
sttution in the country protesting to be school of
art. We have stated our views about the manage
ment Of the Academy without fear, favor, par
tality, and particularly wish that the subject may
be discussed on all sides and in all its bearings if
for no other purpose than to excite degree OF
public interest in the matter. Three of our cOntem-
poraries yesterday referred to the Academy, and
they each suggested ideas which are worthy of COM
ment. The Bulletin, at the commencement OF long
article OF which the young sculptor Harnisch was
the subject-and all that was said about this tai
ented artist we cordially endorse-touched the very
heart of the Academys present troubles in the fol-
lowing words:-
The poor old Academy desperately worried over its
tempest.nateapo difficulties may thank its trouble,
leisure to look 90 deeper i might GeEehanee feel
strucons Of tie Acadsy classic art or or SS years M
rare not m ay ay % neS TO- TO- It's oSn renor as school Of
Eoragee from seqsog 10 season. are MS hardly be
figure painters are almost unrepresented. Knight, to
be sure has a number OF contributions, but they
what are saying Ferris has single head; Benseil
Ramsey sends contribution altogether PSrsan: BisyS
ham and Lambdiu have become New YorEers; Brooke
where nobody observes them Gavan has nothing Rober
in completing the list Of the merry band that mndG
the eschool of later years memory softens her tone
CTesSonYn 1SN WIN s''0' ana prioe-"heFe Is poor
Mr.. Knight, who represents the schools OF the
Academy in the present exhibition, resided three
years in Paris for the sake of art education which
he found it impossible to obtain in Philadelphia
This is significant fact in support of all the argu-
ments we have advanced on this subject
The North american takes up the cudges in defense
OF the Academy OF Fine Arts, and the Post leans a
httle 10 both sides, apparently not exactly under
stahulhg the bearings OF the case. Much OF the
| Norm Amerlcdns argument is entirely apart from
the mann issue, and in endeavoring to impress upon
ls reauers lhe TACT that art is business it fOrgets
'haI II mas an important relation to civilization and
general culture, and that art schools are "a neces
sary as other institutions of learning Onr Iitoor,
| men must be educated and trained for tboir r,'
or they VIII produce nothing any value the artists
are III exactly the same position, ana that each en-
deaVors 10 get the best prices their work will com
mand does not Affect the argument in the least Tha
instruction OF the public is scarcely less innortat
consideration, ana the Post says truly
"The Academy has right to call itself pubIic ;,;
this only be done by the cooperation of the sr
order to gain this co oopeaton il act as to iv
them every advantage offered to them elsewhere eo
The North American on this point, calls attention
to the fact that the Academy has no endowment
fund.- and that its means OF support the contrbu
tiOns OF the members and such sums as may be
realized from exhibitions, ana it indirectly refers Ia
! this paper in the following pointed manner
If the Academy be deprived OF all other reliance thar
mere contributions from the friends of art IL must become
friends of art who members OF the institution We
win not be unoharable to say that such Is tho hope
AGAINST the institution aud tAt t43 object - % break
up and Leave the LHnoss ezoaYoy to tho private deal