The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-17
TnR prNn Aurs.


american art students have always c0mplained OF
the great disadvantages under which they labor, 10
comparison with their brethren In Europe, with
regard not merely to the culture Of the public Tor
whom they labor but the absolute want OF facilities
for critical examination Of the works OF tne great
masteiA A brief course Of study At some Earopean
art centre affords but imperfect opportunities for
q thorough acquaintance with the treasures that
are collected in the public galleries OF dozen cities
or spread upon the walls OF palaces, churches, and
monastcries, and very many find IL impossible to
gain even this much. It Is true that the principal
works OF the great artists are known TO us by
OF engravings, but these, at the very best but
faint shadows OF their originals, and they def
cent in the very qualities that students most highly
prize. very large number OF the Efforts OF the
early and inferior masters too, have never been re-
produced in any manner. and the American student
is thus deprived OF the means OF acquiring fair
knowledge OF the growth and development Of modern
art such is afforded by almost any one OF the great
collections OF Europe.
independently, too, OF the finished works. there
main thousands OF sketches and studies that are In
the highest degree interesting and valuable, and
these it would be hopeless to see in any shape on
this side OF the Atlantic II photography did come
to our aid and give them to us with fidelity and
exactness that would be impossible by any other
method OF copying. Happily these rare art treasures
are by this means made available TO the public OF
the whole world, and the American artist is put In
possession OF works that but a few years ago were
so far beyond his reach that 1t appeared useless
ever TO sigh for them. The originals OF course are
OF priceless value but for all practical purposes the
copies obtanable for few dollars are worth just as
much provided they faithful In every particular
Photography in this matter has done for art what
the printing press has for literature A manuscript
OF paradise Lost in Milton's handwritng-if any
such exists-of course has value Independent OF
any merit In the poem which we are well satisfied to
possess in its printed shape; and 1rst-rate photo
graphic copies OF Michael Angeles "Iast Judg-
nd fha nth ffeac 0f
Chapel, are all that lovers of art need care for.
Indeed, these afford opportunities for close examl
nation and study that the originals do not, aud we
have them given to us, with all their merits and
defects, in q shape that would have gaddened the
hearts OF former generations, and that cannot fan
to have most beneficial effect on art culture.
Immense numbers OF these "autotypes' have been
made and Mr. Charles f. Haseltlne, No. 1925 Ches-
nut street. who is the American agent for them has
over ave thousand specimens at his establishment.
large proportion OF them are facsimile copies In
every respect--as size, tint OF paper, and color OF
the chalk or wash-of the sketches aud studies OF
Michael Angelo, Raphael, Correggio, Albert Durer,
Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, and other great
painters. In these we see the germs OF the master
pieces that are the admiration OF the world, and
they enable to study the style and method of the
draughtsmen as could be done in no other manner.
These autotypes are printed by the carbon process
and 1t s claimed that they are as impershabe the
originals. They sod according to size, at prices
varying from one to ten dollars, and the majority
80 cheap that 1t is possible for every artist and
connosseur to become possessed OF q collection Of
genuine old masters the value OF which is not to be
measured by the small outlay required.
1t Is only necessary for us to indicate the char
acter Of these autotypes for any lover OF art to
dersand their Importance. So far as the sketches
and studies In chalk, wash ink concerned they
are exact reproductions, and supply every deside-
ratum. OF course In copies OF large paintings and
frescoes something Is necessarily lost There Is q
reduction In size and q loss OF color, but their
aut0types give what no engraving can ever do--the
touch OF the artst-and they admit OF close ex-
animation, such as is mpractlcable with regard to
many OF the originals under the most favorable
auspices For instance, Mr.. Haseltne has large
number OF autotypes OF the "Last Judgment" of
Michael Angelo and his great frescoes on the ceiling
OF the Sistne Chapel. These are OF various sizes
some OF which represent the whole design others
give single groups and figures, and others heads,
examples of foreshortening and other items OF in
terest to artists especially. Such an opportunity to
study the greatest works Of Michael Angelo has
certainly never been presented before and the sight
OF these superb photographs selling for few dol
lars each is enough to excite the enthusiasm OF any
one who loves art for Its own sake, who desires
to see its advancement in America
Mr. HaseltIne is well known as c0nnosseur. OF
experience and TASTE and 1t Is creditable to his en-
terprse ana source OF qualification TO lovers OF art
in Philadelphia, that he should have established the
handsomely mounted In style suitable for framing
or the portfolio, and are pleased to learn that
many OF them have been sold here, while large
orders have been filed for New York and other
cities Our Academy OF Fine Arts, with an enter
prise that does it credit, was among the nrst TO
make selection for the OF It's students, and we
only wish that 1t had secured much larger number
than 1t did 1t Is to art students that the autotypes
are particularly valuable, and 1t is important that
such institutions the Academy OF Fine Arts and
the School Of Design should have full collections,
We therefore urge upon those who have
an interest in art education extend what aid they
can In this matter, and enable schools to do all
that their conductors desire for the advancement OF
the students 1t would also be an excellent thing II
judci0usly arranged series OF the autotypcs could
De hung upon the walls of every one OF the public
schools where they would remain as perpetual
means OF culture. The low price at which they are
offered for sale would enable this to be done at Q
comparatively small expense, while the benefits
that would be conferred cannot be estimated at any
pecuniary valuation, and 1t would be an important
step in that education OF the public taste withou
which art in America will always want that encour
agement that 1t ought to receive
Mr.. Hasetne In his main galleries has fine col
lection OF paintings, about seventy in number
which contains works OF some OF the best moderI
artists These have been selected with great care
and they are mostly pictures OF very high class
such as are seldom offered to the public. The entr
collection will be sold at auction the evenings
Thursday and Friday next, and we invite for then
the attention OF those who wish 70 adorn thei
homes with works OF undoubted merit.
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.