, 1874-05-31

the forthcoming Exposition, which was printed in
Fridays issue OF THE TRIBUNE, was timely and
encouraging document. It shows that the Commit
tee have entered promptly upon their work, and
that the doplorable iasco of last fall will not be
repeated next September. AIr. Derby, the Com
| mittee'B General Agent, is connoleseur who is
well aud favorab1y known, not only to all the
| prominent artists in this country, but also in
Europe, and gentleman in whom the Commit
tee have perfect confidence. Whatever is Of
value in paintings and statuary he has the means
of obtaining, and it may safely be trusted to his
taste and Judgment that nothing unworthy will
be allowed to pass through his hands. II the
homo Committee also exercise fearless and
intelligent scrutiny OF what goes through
their hands, there will be little danger that any
da,bs will find their way into the gallery. To
fully carry out the idea Of q Fine Art Gallery,
nothing but fine art should be allowed in it.
Last year the gallery Was filled up with all sorts
of Itte=,-chinaware, feather flowers hideous
Japanese idols, the cheapest ch1omos, adrertis-
ng-signs, and ahov-cards; the chirography OF
card-writers and penmen; school children's
drawings, which wero only Of interest to the
parents OF the prodigies. Every amateur paint
er or dauber WAS allowed the privilege Of the
walls ad lbitum. Pictures Of no great merit,
which had done duty in this city for
years, we're pressed into service. The result WAS
heterogeneous collection Of stun, arranged
without much regard to system, simply for the
reason that any method in arranging it WAS
impossible. The few good pictures we're lost in
the multitude Of bad ones, and their effect thus
destroyed Tho Memorial Picture, by Arnitaee,
was Of itself enough to kill anything within
fifty feet of it. A1r. Derby's long experience
and good taste will remedy many Of these draw
large pictures may be given q place by
themselves. This should be dono, as they
invariably harm smaller pictures hanging noar
them. In the work Of organizing and establish
ing this gallery, there should DO Intelligent CO.
operation between Mr. Derby and the Com
| mttee. The Committee may rely upon Mr.
Derby that his part OF tho work will bo done,
and we'll done, but Mr.. Derby should also be
enabled to rely upon the Committee in turn.
There should be no faToritism, and no accept
anco Of pictures, simply because they arc painted
in Chicago Whatever is done for advertising
| purposes snou1u De rlgld1y excluded. It is UNDER
stood to be the purpose of the Committee to cx-
eel tue exhibition made in Cincinnati last year,
but to do this will require much labor and tho
most rigid examination Of what is contributed.
creditable fne-art exhibition is of more i'm
portance than appears upon the surface. It is
now many years since RIG have had ono which
could bo thoroughly commanded. Indeed. the
exhibitions OF the past five years havo not
equaled those which preceded them in
the days when art WAS young in Chicago.
The fire almost nnnihilated art In this
city, and, although three years hare
elapsed, it can hardly be said even now to
have recovered from the effects Of that disaster.
Artists, as rule, are doing but little. Our best
artists away, because they cannot make a
living here. To add to the disaster, the floods
Of cheap chromos and the disgraceful daubs
which are sold almost every week 1t public sa1o
have kept real art down, and are vitiating the
taste Of the public. There is no more enectual
method Of educating the public taste in art-mat-
ters than by exhibitions Of fno pictures, and at
time like this, when the gallery will be brought
to the notice OF thousands OF people, nothing
should be left undone to secure large and
creditablo display Of FicturcB. II art is ever to
get foothold in Chicago again, it must be by
agencies OF this Kind. We are glad to know 1t is
the determination Of the Committee to excel
anything over seen in this city, but they must
not underestimate tho labor involved. It will
require hard work from now until September.