The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-04
s Q U l. p t U r E
Cordiers Great Monument for the Mexi-
can Capital.
PARIS. March IA. 1875


1t is not customary thus TO anticipate the opening
OF the Exhibition. but when II is considered that
not one-half OF the pictures that VIII be sent In
can be admitted, and that the operation OF an I'M
Just ana arbitrary regulation will exclude large
number or meritorious works, my motive for de-
parting from the usual course will be readily
appreciated. BY the unlnltiated~ portion OF
the public the rejection OF picture by
the jury is but TOO generally accepted
as conclusive proof that enc work has moi been
deemed worthy or exhibition. Now, in many
cases nothing can be more unjust than this as
sumption. When it is remembered that every
artist who has received the medal is exempted
from the jurisdiction OF the jury. ana is emitted
10 send In three pictures annually, a privilege OF
which but few fan 10 avail themselves, and that
the numoer OF works which are thus certain OF ad-
mission amounts 10 about 1900, 10 VIII be seen
that the question OF space has more TO do with
she rejection or pictures than their actual de-
merits. The total number OF works occupying
wall space exhibited last year was 2,62S and OF
these only 1852 we're oil paintings. II TO the num-
Der or privileged works sent in by artsts who
are hors concoars we add those OF the pupils
or the leading masters, whose influence Is certain
to secure them admission, II is clear that many
excellent pictures which have neither influence
nor privilege 70 back them must always be re-
Jected. the Exhibition OF last year viii long be
memorable Tor the many acts OF injustice that
were committed in this way. While works or an
Inferior character were not only admitted but OBJ
tainea places the walls. which only served TO
render their worthlessness the more conspicuous,
Others Of vastly superior merit were either re-
iected or hung away out OF sight. No one IS more
ready than | am to admit the perplexing character
OF the duties winch devoVe upon the jury and
Hanging Committee but cannot help expressing
ny surprise That the well founaed complaints
made year alter year on this head should not have
resulted in some attempts at reform. But, as 1
have indicated, all these minor grievances merge
themselves in that or the unfair monopoly Of
space. The privilege exercised by the artists who
have received the medal, OF sending Ia three pic
lures is neither beneficial 10 their own interests
nor to those OF art They spread over three large
works often hastily conceived and as hastily exc
cuted 10 suit the exigencles OF the picture deal
ers, the strength ana intelligence which would
more prcftably for their regulations DE concen-
traied on a single picture. But 1t - unnecessary
Tor me to dwen urther on this point. II Is not
likely that anything can saT wlllIead 20 a renun-
citation OF the selfish advantages arrogGted TO
themselves by the heads OF the profession. II the
reform comes Of all IL must come rom the latter.
and neither in France nor el-e1 here that know
or has the hierarchy or art shown itself very con-
siderate toward beginners
In the meanwhile IL seems to me that the press
might do much to alleviate the Injustice OF the
present state O. things. / see no reason why II
81 uId not pass outside the jurisdiction OF the
Jury and supplement It's decisions by awards Of its
own. fairly critical notice OF work rejected
under the circumstances have described would,
In the columns OF Journal OF character. be at any
time equivalent to the so much coveted medal. In
time people would even come 10 regard il as a
surer test OF tue merits OF an artist. l re-
member the period when the HERALD inaugurated
this tribunal Or last resort In New York. aud when,
setting aside tue awards OF the Committee OF the
National Academy OF Design, IL fearlessIy exposed
the favoritism which at one time prevailed IN that
institution. From taat period dated the pros
perity OF art In the United states. Young painters
Of merit VINO would have been crushed out Dy the
exclusive spirit or the monOpollsrs, took courage,
and unoer the genial announcement Of the news
papers, broke down the artificial barriers That
mad been opposed 10 their progress Look at the
present condition Of art in our country ana com
pare Il TO what Il was twenty years ago. It's
present noursning circumstances are due not 10
the Academy, nor TO the acadsmlcians, but to the
independent EFFORTS OF the members Of the PROBES.
sion itsel!-encouraged and sustained by tile
press.
IL has often struck me that what mas proved USE
fui and beneficial 70 art in our country would n
brought TO bear on the abuses 70 which nave
drawn attention az this side 90 much 10 elevate
the younger class OF French artists from the de.
preston and encouragement under which they
are laooring, ano to smooth, ifnot entirely remove
the obstacles or which they complain. We're the
French journals to cast aside the foolish pref udces
20 which they have 80 long clung In connection
VITA public exhibitions and art Juries and enter
upon the task OF independent criticism, tt would do
more for the announcement ana welfare OF the pro
lesson tnan can ever b. effected BY artificial
stimulants. they are now under republican
form OF government aud Ia art as well az IN other
things, republican notions and republican prac-
tces should be In harmony. In tbs spirit and
WIN these views now proceed to carry out an
idea when mas long been a fayogIte one OF mine,
aud to give to the HERALD II not IN antlcipatory
review Of the S1iOn at least Of the principal works
which have Teen prepared for u. AS many OF these
VIII, IN accordance with tne usual habit De GER
tginy reje cted, tho disappointed artists viii at
least have the consolation Of rejecting that an
American journal will have done them the
iusace which VIII have oeen denied them
by the jury | ON in hopes that the
example thus set may exercise It's due influence
on my coaTreres or the french Press, and induce
them TO exercise for themselves IN relation "a
art Judgment wnolly freed from tue tnfuence o.
the cnques and coterios That nave hitherto
dictated the law on these matters.
In my Wis Is 70 the studios this rear have been
stfuck by the predominaace OF portraits oVei
sop,ect pictureA This 10 to be accounted for 10
great measure By the depressed condition
Things. and rhe dlfnsuIJ that artists ind 10 dis
uoslnr Of their compositions II yoa inquire
anv 81 the leading picture dealers tney wall tel
vou they are sellna nothing but engravings o.
nhotoaraphs and their chief subject OF lamenta
.,on a the iaillng on that has taken place IN tn
mexican branch OF their trade. In sucn stat
az things artists are .pdsposed 20 undertake
works Of importance, and tneg naturally Ial back