New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-11


architects 10 settle. But they will assurediy
repudiate wood in such q structure and al
substances which, under any eventuanty eAcep'
an earthquake or bombaTdment, would PUT
in Jeopardy The treasures OF the Ufz Gallery at Flor
once are liable destroyed at any time by the hrns
Of the open wood work Of the corridor and roofs
The division OF the interior must depend on the mum
ber of schools and objects Of the minor arts to be accom-
medated-a hollow squire or rooms and galleries ~
closing n court under glass TO accommodate 'ne MS
casts and statuary in convenient form aulii.'hs
indefinite expansion. There can be two ranges "
galleries side by sido where the width OF the puae
80 feet and upward, but the width ana iens'n " 60
gallery should be calculated somewhat In reference
the general size Of the paintings so that 'Hey ,no
rot appear TO be too dmlnutve or lost III eP"o0' a.
there should be o sufficient number OF sul"n
which 10 place the choicest by themselves sKy Ns'
ought 10 be double, the upper at an acute ahsIo -
lection FOR lower fat one OF ground glass or IN soo
,rav nrensred 10 soften che exubeant American HsH
Tor their best effects pictures require the same '
Light as that OF their native land hehoo 80.
old masters are not to best advantage III 'ne
and Germany but will be better shown In Ame1o', u
60 no cyercisoa IN their hanging and lighting Wall
color sould correspond to the degroe OF richness OF e
schooI. rich crimson in general for the old lahans
spanisrds Germans, and FeInings ana heuuai tIS oI
the more modern. although no positive RUE Ior All cah
be Given beautiful decoration is admirable ior celhgs
fre1es and divisions but not OF eharacertas in the
pi,+ and louvre 10 interfere with the pictures them
elves Int ubducd and IN general tone and breadth
Of design instead OF giving minute details or elaborate
COMPOSITIONS Such attractions should be left TO the
easel mixtures on the walls These should present back
grounds that give repose the eye and send send back
10 the picture without distractng consequence For
lining the walls Of Stone brick, nothing affords moro
security against fire and humidity than the recently In
vented asbestos paper which flames make no impression
upon and water wiz not destroy.
The stories underneath the picture galleries be d.
vded into corresponding rooms lighted from tho e1te-
rior and the court for the minor arts sculpture,
library, and executive offices. But all should
be approached by noble doorways and imposing
stairs whose architecture should prepare the
mind for lofty aesthetic expectations. In this re-
spect the new entrances TO the Louvre are elegant
models worthy the contents OF the museum, but the
the Pitti mean back staircase is dsap-
pOin ting preparation 10 its beautiful pictures
MUSEUMS u AMERICA-IHE BOSTON PLAN.
The ncipent museums OF America so far their or
CARNATIONS are known outside Of the circles OF their
founders appear TO be based varying plans. That
of Boston aims especially at founding scientific
systs Of education believing that there is in every
mind atent aesthetic which may be cultivated
not only by special instruction, but uRconseiously by
constant association with objects of the highest beauty
Sound doctrine applicable in generalfeatures to all mu-
seums But the amateurs OF art starting with it
as their fundamental principle direct their energies to
the development OF aesthetic taste in the young by
supplying with teachers OF design, casts OF fine
sculpture and other technical means OF Instruction.
rather than by collections Of original objects, which seem
Of secondary importance. II they rgdly adhere to their
determination 10 eliminate from their educational col
leetions everything which would seem to the most
fastidous taste unsuitable for the daily familiarity OF
Young maldens this rule is likely TO be construed In
New England Il evident that most classical Art ana
much medieval and renaissant Will be unrep
Some Of the finest Raphaes would be taoooed
The promoters Of this eIpurgaOn to demonstrate their
via ind tn
ec of art as seenn the OF Europe open to the
public. tends make those American maidens VINO go
abroad less pure and modest than those who stay at
home. have yet TO learn that prurent ideas are gen
Grated the youth OF either who visit together for
egn galleries in the freedom Of travel Where great
caution must be exercised prevent evil consequences
there reason suspect that the sentiment OF modesy
is in so false footing that little spark may
kinde great fire At any moment. one profound aim OF
art is TO teach pre-. monthly and purity OF the
human body either exat its chaste beauty as ddthe
Greeks or its spiritual functions like the medevalsts
whether nude or draped. There pradists so fas
| tdious" as 20 he shocked by bare hint In sculp
turo or painting, bit who delight in exhibitlDg
an ample amount OF their undraped anatomy, not
| always Grecian in contours in a crowded ballroom
Actually disgustia fastdious male taste
in fashionable society personal exposure than to
in any gallery Of Europe. Until therefore, Bos
ton has so reformed her living fashions that sensual
thought them creep into the youthful or the
aged mind her citizens had better leave dead ART as u Is
persuaded that cannot enter into sensual competition
with flesh and blood in full dress" and may by chance
| prove to he a lesson OF an opposite tendency.
| THE NEW YoRKEPLAN
| No similar na1rowness has been manifested in New
York but Cosmopolitan Art Museum gives few signs
Of active existence Seemingly its aesthetic intentions
| are Of broader character. But, while Boston, with
common sense energy and clear intellectual appreciation
Of what she desiTess moving steadily on TO its fulfill
men little beside brave talk has been heard from the
plan There appears to be no heart in the cause CT
such enthusiasm opens plehorie purses ana cans
workers to front ambitious to exceed expectations
Nevertheless NewYOrk has initiated another institution
on business principles covering the whole field Of art;
one which, thoroughly carried out might render the
cosmopolitan enterprise unnecessary, and solve the
problem OF the support of Art Museum. In this
scheme, in accordance whlthe.epiof the age, art Is
coupled with mechanical industry, and the latter it
relations TO business made TO sustain the former An
immense hre-pro0f building eight stories high covering
square section Of land OF 20 inclong IL under
glass Winter garden is 10 be erected between the
Third and FOurthaves, SewYork close 10 the Central
Psrka site whichEshOrty will be within the heart OF
the great Metropolis The lower stories are 10 be divided
into shops and halls for the exhibition and sale Of the
merchandise, inventions and mechanical arts of all
nations, forming "a Worlds Bazaar where visitor
measure as IL were at glance the comparative
civilizations OF different countries This itself would
be great school and stmulant to friendly rivalry in the
useful arts, beside afordng the public means OF
comparsonhnd enlargngheir cosmopolitan sympathies
and knowledge. But, in addition there are 20 be
concerts libraries, Observatores lectures reading
horticultural gardens, land whatever else that may add
TO its intellectual attractions. The feature however
which chiefly this article what proposes to
do for the nne arts. BrehyLt devoted the upper
stories entirely to them; the.uppermost afording wall
space OF 1870 feet in length by width which could
DE divided to give several miles OF hanging room
for pictures lighted from above Here sample for
museum OF the trstclass, Hkethe Louvre. The name
OF this institution the EewYork Industrial Exhibition
Company" hst been badly chosen regards fine art
IN lao 1ofl