The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-10
An AMERICAN ART SCHOOL.

To THE EDlTOR OF THE HERALD
Occasionally, In this and other periodicals. read
bitter denunciations OF the works OF American
artists and humiliating comparisons OF art in
America to art In Europe, and, knowing your pro-
verbal Willingness TO consider all sides OF SUBJ
ject, venture to ask for little space In your
paper to say a few words on the other side.
Iwould not attempt to deny any OF the amable
assertions made with reference to the artistic pro-
ductiOns OF Americans-many OF them are, per
haps, too true-but would modestly remind our
critics that no comparison Is possible under une-
quail circumstances.
Years ago, when those whose names are now
associated with American art were trying to pre-.
pare for their prospective careers the advantages
for artistic study were even more limited than
now. There was no school in America where an
art student 1t could receive thorough instruction
Academy Of Design opened its doors to
those who wished to draw from the antique,
one or two OF its members came into the so-called
school and gave few hap-hazard criticisms. Many
Of the students iaGored through the day for their
and, when able to pay for their models from life at
the Academy, before the days OF gas furnishing
pocket Of the devotee TO art Is too Wei known to
need enlargtng on; and go, harassed by financial
art with little or no instruction, It Were hardly
reasonable to expect great outburst OF talent.
Those SO fortunate as to have means to study
necessarily be at disadvantage II not familiar
with the language and customs OF the country.
much in advance of those early days OF art In
America, Is yet far behind that OF the schools OF
music. Of science, Of every other profession. We
are justly proud OF our free schools OF learning,
theology, medicine and every art save that paint
ing. In New York city the art centre Of our cOun-
schoois OF the Cooper Unon consisting OF the even
ing schools OF drawing and the daily School Of De-
sign for Women" noble and successful as far as
drawing. The schools OF the National Academy of
Design the only institution here where student
queathed 20 them for that purpose by the late
James A. suydam, Of the National Academy, but
fray the expenses, and the academy building has
been nortgaged to sustain the schools. And when
denial and penury-has here mastered drawing,
his alphabet he must work his way thence unas.
sisted, Or spend many years in the schools Of
remember that eur art students. to complete their
education, must partake of the privileges Euro
pesn soyere'gns and public bodies extend to their
surely no marked success in American art can
be attained while this state of affairs lasts 1t Is
keeps art at this low ebb; 1t is the absence OF
advantages necessary to thorough art education.
we h e Distinct an l5ation: IN in
tionality In art When American citizens OF wealth
and culture recognize this need ana the cause OF
1t, and are willing to devote to art-education q
comparatively small part OF the means they give
generously to other public institutions Of learn
ing and to the public welfare In many ways we
school OF art VIII be built upon broad and nrm
foundation, free from the false complexities and
nannertsIns or the European notwithstanding
truth to nature; truth not only In detail proportion
and harmony OF drawing and color. but truth In
timent; scheol that recognizes the highest ideal.
ism ss founded on the purest realism; q school
that seeks always to perceive more and more OF
hidden beauty in nature, and to speak through a
perfect rendering Of nature the truths that ma.
ture's self has taught, and IL ever teaching to will
ing learners day BY day.