The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-12

the matter Is that the Board OF Directors OF the
Academy OF Fine Arts In now, as 1t has been In the
past composed OF a highly respectable CO.
tere Of gentlemen, who, on many accounts,
are entitled 10 the cordial esteem OF
their ow-citlzens These gentlemen are engaged
in various mercantile operations, and in their seve-
raj lines OF business have done much to advance the
prosperity OF the city; but as managers OF an art
school they have undertaken to do something that
they know nothing about and the consequence is
that they have achieved little except failure. The
Academy OF Fine Arts is with them mere play
thing to smuse their leisure moments and no effort
ever has been made to create an art school that
would do credit to the city, In any way to really
advance the interests OF American art. On the
contrary, until within the past two seasons in
structor was ever provided for the classes and the
artists OF Philadelphia have not only been pracsi-
cally excluded from all control OF the institution,
but they have been snubbed on every possible occa-
sion.
So far the determination not to hold an exhibit
tion this spring is concerned, we only repeat the
opinion expressed when the announcement was
first lmade, that it was wise policy. The reason
given by the directors the uncertainty OF keep
ing possession OF the present Academy property;
Dnt the real reason was that it was found that
SUFFICIENT number OF pictures, and especially Ameri
pictures, could not be procured, so it was
deemed preferable, in view OF the badness OF the
exhibition last spring, not to risk another failure.
at least, and annual exhibition OF the Pennsyl-
vana Academy OF the Fine Arts that will be chiefly
distinguished by the absence OF the best werks of
Pennsylvania and Philadelphia painters would not
be judicious.
The correspondent OF the Germantown Telegraph
to whom we have referred, supplies US with the in
formation that in lieu OF the regular spring exhibit
ton, the directors Of the Academy Of Fine Arts have
in prospect series OF exhibitions of private coec-
tions, and that the first OF these has now been
ranged, and will open the 10th inst at the resi-
denee OF Joseph Harrison, Esq, In RIttenhouse
Square, which will include Mr.. Harrson's own col
lectons with works from the galleries OF James
L. Claghorn, Esq and other gentlemen. Such an
exhibition this will be very interesting, and far
as merit goes it will probably average higher than
any collection that the Academy could get together
under the most favorable auspices. 1t will not be,
however, in any respect proper substitute for the
Academy exhibition, which ought to be mainly q
representation OF the progress OF American, and
especially Of Philadelphian, art. Messrs. Har-
risoD, Caghorn, and all other contributors
to the proposed exhibition will be
doing service by throwing open their private col
lections to the public, but the artists who are exc
cutting new works all the time ought also to have
some opportunity to make display Of their works,
and under proper management the annual exhibit
tion of the Academy would give them this opportu-
nifty. AS matters now are, however, most of our
best artists find 1t to their interest to withhold their
works altogether, and arrange for putting them
before the public as best they The bad effect OF
this practice is that the public is not able to view the
performances Of the year collectively, and is thus
deprived Of an important means OF estimating what
advances have been made. 1t is now, we believe,
settled thing that we are to have new Academy
building and we hope that with it there will be
new system OF management, for If the old-fogy
policy that has ruled the institution in the past is to
continue in the future change OF location or en-
lorn tOf RIO will Acaa
of Fine Arts to be anything else than mere bur-
lesque OF a school of art