New-York tribune., 1870-04-09
FINE AR1S.


pect Of usefulness from the National Academy OF
Design. It's edlhce on Fourtaye. was opened to tho
public the Spring OF 1865. There have been FIVE erh
billions In the Spring aud four in the Winter months with
three special exhibitions beside these; but haertO asa
School OF Design. the Academy has done considerable
service The finished results Of have displayed
but there has been systematic education In the pro
cesses by which results obtained scheme Of
instruction has been arranged classes have been
gathered.
The public has not concealed its disappointment at this
failure the part Of the Academy 10 justify It's
and purposes for failure certainly seeing that
the galleries the only portion OF the building used
and that these occupied but part OF the year Tho
occasional receptions pleasant occasions but they
did little or nothing to the standard OF art produc
ton to give impulse to art study They
of rather than Of criticism bat they succeeded
in calling forth criticism than felicitaton The
friends OF the institution did not like to be put off,
were, with agreeable social entertainments, when they
had right expect hard work and they said much
In tones that could be misunderstood. The Academ
clans themselves we're not unmindful 0t their short
comings.
They were always perhaps, moro alive To them than
the impatient pblic suspected To quiet secluded men
living III their studios dreaming and transferring their
dreams to canvas, the thought of negotiating funds.
experimenting classes, arranging schemes instructng
young men aud the rudments, was, possibly.
not altogether delghtul and there the excuse that
money was wanting, that the times hard. that
having recently asked for much. iS unseemly
ask for more SO the duty postponed from year
year. and every year Il became harder Of performance
But for months past the younger spirits have been ag
tating the project classes. 1t discussed In Com
mtee Plans were suggested for raising money TO meet
the necessary expense. At this juncture proposition
from the Trustees of the Cooper Union TO combine tho
two institutions brought the question to immediate
ISSUE OF the terms OF this proposition something has
already said. The Trustees proposed to transerto
the Academy the eases, casts, models, ana otber
appliances of art instruction used in the Female
Art School, and to pay over to the Academy 5000
annually in quarterly payments, the first quarter com
mencmg October l. 1870 In return they required that the
Academy should establish Schools OF Art In their build
ing TO which the Union should have right 10 appoint
80 females for day classes and 50 males for the night
classes with the privilege Of keeping these classes uu
and filing vacancies. A course Of progressive
instruction was laid down feature OF the
plan was an annual competition between tho
puplls Of all these classes public exhibition OF their
works and awards Of merit The pupils from the Union
were TO share all opportunities with the other pupis
Of the Academy, distinction being made between
them except such the Trustees OF the Union might ap
prove JOINT committee to pass upon all cases o
improper behavior, want OF diligence, or failure 10 i'
proye IL was further stipulated that the advisory com
ttee of ladies attached to the Union should continue
their visits to Female Art Department make theif
reports as usual and offer their suggestions that the
schools should be accessible at all times to these ladies'
and TO the Trustees that all circulars, tickets permits
and other documents CT the sort pertaining 20 the school,
should bear the name OF the Cooper Union Art Depart
ment Jointly with that of the Academy OF Design and
that the instruction Of the pupils appointed by the Union
| should be entirely free Of expense to them
| This proposition was committed to five Aeademcians
for special consideration and report BY them the plan
was approved Their report offered the 9th OF March,
"a in
promising the speedy and hopeful Inauguration OF new
and vigorous policy Further discussion, however sug
gested difficulties. IL feared that the admission OF
SO large number OF pupils, many Of them inperiec'y
prepared for profitable study in the higher branches.
might tend to depreciate the standard set up BY the
Academy and thus in interfere with It's best
purposes Possible embarassments suggested them
! selves in connection with the Ladies' Advisory Commit
| tee the awards Of merit the Joint action OF the Two
committees and forth; final result, therefore,
it was determined, and no doubt wisely to decline 'he
Offer being perhaps dsadyantageous to two nsiiG'
| tions both OF which needed and both OF when
would flourish best under their separate regulations
Each in fact required the other The Union. as dong
preparatory work by giving instruction IN the eemehts'
would have the stimulus Of the Academy ana The Acaa
emy carrying the education on into the higher depart
ments would be kept up Its ambition by the vsorot
| the Introductory school,
The failure OF the well-meant effort at combination has
started the Academy a career Having examined
into the successes and failures OF Academical teachS
in the Arts o. Design, the management present lhe io
lowing scheme as most likely to secure tEh clements {"
past success and the wants Of the present time
They recommend the establishment Of the following
! classes
An Elementary Glass; an Antique Class; NlshtIh'o
! Glass for male students; Day-lfe C'9S Tor le"i'o
students a Day.Life Glass for male s.uden.: af'nOus
Class toincludo study from the living model both nad'
and draped, and from stille; an Anatomical Class'
Perspective Glass; Glass Modelling; Glass 10 Land
scape Painting Lectures Art by competent persoh
whether members of the Academy or nor. ana also H.
formal lectures to the students; annual concou'c or
competition between the students; public exhibition
OF their works, and awards Of merit.
This is the scheme. or course IL Will hardly be carfhu
into full effect The classes VIII be estah.shedss ss
rapidly the Of the Academy HAY warrant auu
the number and proficiency OF students may REQUIRE An
appropriation has been made OF portion OF TIE ilni
left by Mr. Suydam-enough to naugurate the plan anu
put it well forward enough 10 prosecute II 10 cope
ton But let the work honestly done, let be earnestly
begun and there Will be no lack OF funds INC
friends OF art are numerous, they are rich tney ao
generous Let the Academy but vindieatc Itself against
aspersion and severity let 1t occupy IT'S rooms,
use its resources employ its talent; ana us irleh"s WI
see thar # does not fan from lack OF The surct
way ~ get money Is deserve it, Our community ~
onnreciaye OF art; a events IL desifous of apr
caring II gives patronage and praise OOth ~ HuNanoo
of IFS title TO receive them. The mnncence that us
the present hOuso for the Academy VIII meet iuulo
occa sious that the Academy may present. hut the 49,
sons must he presented before the munhcenoe WI" 10
bestowed
FIGURES THAT DON'T LIE.