The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-09
THE FINE ARTS.


Of many paintings and statues the necessity the
organization OF thorough system of art education
IN the United States would be so apparent as it
rs when we consider that in reality the great
principles OF art have, ought to have their ap-
pcations in a multitude Of ways to the daily life of
people Of every class in society t is an axiom in art
that beauty is cheaper than ugliDess and one OF the
main arguments in favor Of art schools is that they
directly and indirectly aid in the education Of the
public taste Artistic culture is not only refining and
eevang in ITSELF but its influence brought to bear
in all the affairs OF life and in multitude OF imper
ceptible ways it becomes important auxiliary to
religion and morality. 1t teaches men and women
how to make their homes attractive to themselves
and their children with the least possible expendi
ture Of money-for good taste costs nothing-and so
far from being merely of the prerogatives OF
riches is capable Of furnishing to poverty thou
sand means Of innocent enjoyment that are worth
more than many OF the pleasures that money alone
can buy. A man may not be able TO possess pictures
and statues, but nothing except the want of know
ledge and good taste will prevent him from appre-
cating whatever is beautiful in them. Riches will
provide splendid furniture for a house. but refined
artistic taste will combine the materials so
as to produce more pleasurable effect upon even
uncultured behOlders than any eXpendi-
ture Of wealth will do unless It. is guided
by the same kind Of taste. There are
hundreds Of houses in this city upon the
internal and external decoration Of which
money has been lavlshed unsparingly, that are
without their knowing why-and that in their mis-
application Of good materials monuments of
vulgarity and palpable evidences OF the want OF
some system Of artistic training that will make
itself felt not only on small coterie of men and
women who adopt art as profession, but upon the
body of society. Until there is such general art
culture this, artists will never have the proper
stimulus to produce really good work, and Ameri-
can art, viewed collectively will always remain in
feTior and dependent upon that of Europe
GVrolt ftynffN gINaA
this city and the so-called National Academy in New
York ought to aid materially in the education of the
public and in the promotion OF general artistic cul-
ture. What they nave done in this direction in the
past however, is little to be scarcely appreca-
BILE, and what they may do in the future will depend
in great degree whether they will be conducted
very different principles from those that regulate
their performances at present. Now they are the
mere paythings Of few wealthy men, or bones of
contention between rival factions Of artists, and the
only objects for which such institutions have any
right to exist are subordinated or lost sight OF
altogether that they may minister to the pride OF
few individuals who in a very imperfect degree re-
present the artistic knowledge and taste Of our prln-
cipa cities. Itis now announced definitely that the
Pennsylvania Academy Of Fine Arts has secured
lot Of ground upon Chestnut street. above Broad, and
that the erection Of a new building will be COM
menced at as early day as possible. Our hopes are
great but our expectations small with regard to q
material Improvement OF the Academy in case of its
removal to more commodous quarters, but with
the disastrous experiences of the past to
them, it may be that the directors will have public
spirit enough to at least make effort in the drec-
ton of the establishment OF an art school that viii
really do something for art education. At this time
we have only one word Of warning to give. Let the
uses to which the new building is to be devoted be
the first and main thing to be considered If the
means in hand limited, let all idea OF grand
piece Of architecture be abandoned, and plain, sub
santial structure with welllighted and well-vent-
lated galleries and cass-rooms, be planned, and then
If there is money enough, 1t will be worth while to
consider whether any ornamentation is necessary.
We are convinced, however, that, with the exercise
OF that good taste that ought to be shown in Aca
deny Of Fine Arts if anywhere building can be
erected at comparatively moderate cost that will
be at once attractive in itself and adapted in every
respect to the purposes for which it is intended.
While the Academy of Fine Arts has thus far
failed in its Objects it gratifying to know that
have in this city art institution that in legti-
mate, though too modest manner is really carrying
the work Of art education with practical results
of the highest interest and importance. The School
of Design on West Penn Square was established for
the purpose Of furnishing women with the means Of
making their living in honorable manner This OBJ
ject has never been lost sight Of, but in reality the
chief value OF this schools the fact that it teaches art
as science that it nsts correct principles of taste
from the very commencement and that it demon
straes the application of the principles OF design to
the mutifarious concerns of everyday life. 1t is in
this respect, after ALL that the most decided impress
sions Of the value of art must be made, and art
culture must begin in America it has in every other
country, by the application of the beautiful
TO the useful. Industrial art is the parent Of high
art and high art will never understood or appre-
ciated by the OF the population until they
educated into a knowledge Of the artistic value Of
the various articles utility that meet them at every
turn, aud that contribute to the convenience and
comfort of everyday life. Fine pictures and fine
fuaq qpan Onl he nv he I'M
man, rich or poor, is interested in knowing how to
choose carpets furniture, and wall paper that will
harmonic with each other and produce the most
pleasing effect upon che eye.
1t is this kind Of knowledge that the School Of De-
sign gives to its pupils, and that they when scat
tered all parts Of the country, communicate 70
the mass Of the people. The school ever since its
foundation has had to struggle for existence and for
proper recognition from the public. It's principal
has never yet been able carry his ideas or to
advance the course OF study to that point OF COM
pleteness that he desires AS practical man. how
ever he at all times done the best that is possible
with the material in hand, the results achieved
thus far demonstrate very plainly the trJth Of the
opinion that has been advanced over and over again
in these columns that education to be worth any
thing must rest upon scientific basis, and that no
rstclass art work be achieved unless the artist
has passed through course OF thorough elementary
training. The elementary principles OF art are the
same whether for painting sculpture or Industrial
design, and the time is fast approaching when the
necessity for thoroughly-apponted art schools II
this country will be perceived II we expect to com
nete at all with Europe in the productions of oul
workshops and factories not 30 speak OF our studios
AS pioneer in this field, the School OF Design In
this city is particularly worthy Of the attention