The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-10
AMERICAN ARTISTS IN LONDON.
What They Have Done for
Philadelphia.
English and American Fine Art COMMITTEES
Boughton, lennessey, Whistler,
Fisher, Helminch.

LONDON, March 20, 1876.
There are very few American artists living IN Lon
Hon-uot moro than half dozen all tol6-but these
low arc. in their various Styles admirable and among
Them are names OF high distinction. II will be loss
70 American art IL the works OF theso artists
properly represented at tho International Exhibition
In Philadelphia and there to apprchend that
but few Of their pictures will DO II this
hiatus occur in the Art Departments It viii be the
fault Of our Fine Art Committee. should be loath
TO accuse this committee OF Intentional neglect but
they have certainly failed TO acqua,nt themselves with
ths responsibilities they assumed in accepting so i'm
portant an appointment. What these responsibilities
are will best be by noting what has been done by
similar associations iu this country or In France To
the best known OF our artists
THE xxGLrsH FINE ART COMMITTEES
has extended the courtesy of an invitation TO send
their paintings the Exhibition under tho patronage
Of the British government The ofncial correspond
sncc has been placed in my hands Showing, It
does tho respect which felt England for the
ton Of art and the high position which this
country hold showing what is thought here of the In
ternational Exhibition and what anxiety felt In
sure fair representation or British art that i'm
portant OCCASION is OF deep interest and propose to
bend In full for the benefit and instruction of which
seems that we greatly In need OF our own pco-
pie To each artist IRON whom the loan Of a picture
Is desired the following letter sent in tho handwrit
Ing Of the distinguished secretary, and also printed
circular stating tho terms which this favor
qucstcd Still further the substance Of the informa-
ton contained in these documents is advertised in
conspicuous position for months SO that artists and
tho public may be made acquainted the fullest
ncr with tho wishes and plans Of the committee. Hero
Is tho document, sent in tho namo Of HIS Grace the
Duke Of Richmond and Gordon, President OF tho Cour-
cil:-
OFFICIAL INVITATION TO TIM EXPOSITION
SIR-At the various meetings OF the Fine Art Com
mtee appointed by the Lord President OF the Coun-
Gil the subject Of thorough representation OF British
art at the Philadelphia Exhibition has engaged It's scri.
GUS attention, and selection has been submitted TO
HIS Grace OF tho artists whose works Should in tho
opinion Of the committee, be represented at the Exh
bition AS your name appears in this special list,
am directed by His Grace to inquire II it would DO
agreeable TO you 10 namo ono OF your works which
you consider would most worthily represent you
this important occasion, specifying also the namo and
might, with advantage, mako known your wish to
this particular work exhibited His Grace requests me
allow certain paintings sent from the royal COL
lection to the Fine Art Gallery Of tho Philadelphia Ex
hbition and the Council Of the Royal Academy have
from their diploma pictures. In case the owner Of the
work named by you should object to lend The same,
would You kindly name two others In order OF prefer
bncc have the honor, &c.
TIE ZINE ARrsn CIRCULAR.
The printed circular, under tho heading sFne
Arts" in the British section, at the international Ex
hibition OF 1876 Philadelphia, is as follows
Tho loan of paintings by artists Of no British school
Is solicited for exhibition on tho following TERMS
l. They Will be required from the 10th OF March,
1876, 70 the end Of December following.
They will DO placed IN the special charge OF tho
Joint Executive Commissioners appointed by Her
Macstys government, who will make most convenient
arrangements for their sale collection, package, transit
and return TO the owner.
And all cases where the loan OF pictures is soc
tied by the authority Of tho Lord President OF the Prvy
Council, the Executive Commissioners charged with
finances will DO empowered to defray all expenses In
carrying out tho above arrangements; and further
when required he VIII insure them Tor such reasonable
sums as may be determined upon.
The pictures will DO received by order OF the Lord
President at South Kensington Museum, between the
that period At the residence Of the owner.
This Is how they manage matters of this kind on this
side Of the water Now let what
ART coxMrrxs
has been doing for our artists, and what steps have
been taken to the proper OF their
pictures Some few weeks ago the following para
graph appeared in obscure corner OF the Times
The United States frgate Franklin bearing the nag
yesterday IRON Lisbon. She will at this port
The works OF citizens OF the United States In this
country for tho Philadelphia Exhibition.
Very definite and satisfactory, truly And yet this
is the only communication, Official or otherwise that
American artists have received from committee or
their existence recognized tho cxhibtion Of their
works desired One cannot wonder that they should
feel themselves neglected and not precisely in tho
mood for making strenuous cxertions to obtain tho
pictures which they would prefer send as specimens
Of their skill this being in point OF fact diff
ncult matter than is imagined, since the owners OF
these precious works for the most part dsncncd
10 part with them. long journey and absence being
contemplated.
THE ENGLISH FINE ART COMMITTEES,
lavish In the courtesy Of which our own committee
has been sparing have extended our artists a.
have said invitation TO avail themselves of all the
advantages OF the patronage OF the British
This invitation Mr. Bougbton has accepted and beau
tful picture by this artist Tho Canterbury Pilgrims
companioncd with number of splendid works BY
English artists has been already embarked for America
Mr. Whistler and Mr. Hennessey, preferring to exhibit
under the patronage OF their government declined
lhc invitation Of The British Art Committee but have
waited in vain fI except the paragraph sent
from the Frankln for instruction or invitation
from own country. Moreover, these gentlemen
have found II impossible to obtain from their owners
thc pictures they DESTROYS Of sending and as mat
ters stand they seem inclined 10 let the matter
Irop without further effort Indeed. at this present
writing Mr.. Boughton is tho only American artist who
has sent proposing 10 send to the Exhibition and
unlcss something is done to awaken tho Art Committee
the OF their responsibilities, or to rckindic
The anguishng enthusiasm OF artists he will I'M
doubleday maintain his solitary prc-cminencc.
NEGLECT AMERICAN ARrisrx
This ~ by no a trilins matter but OF far
more importance than will at first glance appear II
not unlikely that the neglect OF the interests OF
ou- arlists which Las been shown In London Is at
work among the hosts OF American painters and sculp
sors ha-c tna.lc their honlc in Paris IN tho
principal cities of Italy. But II this Is SO, the ncvi
table result will that the representation Of American
talent in the Art Department will bc amculaby unfair
and inadequate. And yet this department is no less
important than any the Exhibition; In one sense u Is
OF moro importance The production Of distinctive
and lofty literature and art is nations browning
glory. While too undcvcoped to obtain this supreme
expression, no matter how great its wealth and re-
sources, Il remains merely q body without a soul