, 1876-12-03
ART MATTERS,

Sptcl1@ correspondence QT Tie TRIBUNE
NEW York, Nov. 29.-Thc monumental mean
ness has at last been discovered. But before
you can understand clearly what it is, there
must be little preface. John Taylor Johnston
has been one Of the wcalthicst as we'll as one OF
the most public-spirited Of New York citizens.
He was one Of the nabobs Of New York society,
and his marble palace Oh Fifth avenue no: only
represented an enormous fortune, but was
crowded with evidences Of the highest
taste aud refinement. It contained the finest
collection Of pictures in the country, except per-
haps that Of August Belmont, and its owner was
noted patron OF the arts. The story Of his finan-
cial ruin is by this time only too we'll known. I'm
like most Presidents of bankrupt corporations, he
stood by his road with his money until he saw his
own fortune swept away. lie held On to 2, O0O 900
shares OF its stock to the very last and saw it 60
down from l20 to % without tiinching. He illus
trated his own splendid faith in the New Jersey
Cent ral ut the expense Of his own wealth. and SAW it
wiped out without u murmur. Under these cir
cunlstances, there was no lack OF public sympathy
with bis misfortune to have grown too we'll used
to the men who grow rich by failing, and the rail-
road Presidents whose fortunes go up as The stock
OF their roads go down. not to appreciate the r]uck
OF . man vino backs his opinion with his Millions
and gave up the one with the other. He retired
from the Presidency of the road, and retired with
honor. The newspapers gave him the kindlicst
farewells, and there we're many manifestations Of
sympathy.
Very soon it was announced that his magnificent
collection Of pictures was all to be sold. At the
same time that the art-loying people felt pang Of
sorrow that this collection, which has been literally
to be scattered The hope ran round that the pro- TO-
fron, sons, atlsast, Of his eabarrass,nents: Now
order to give the public IN opportunity see these
pictures to advantage, and thus to enable them to
decide on those which they preferred to buy it be-
prior to the SALE No place in tho city would prob
ably tit such a collection except the Academy Of
Design, and the artists who belong to that close
Mr.. Johnston the use Of the Academy, except On
payment OF q rent OF $500 week, besides oil e1-
pcnscs.
And still probably the render unfamiliar with
New York matters does not fully comprehend the
monumental meanncss OF the New York artists.
IN the first place, you must know that no man in
the community has done so much for ar1 in general,
and these artists in particular, as John Taylor
Johnston. lie has bought more pictures, helped
more art enterprises worked harder for art, than
any other man here not himself an artist. lie
put his hand into his pocket and paid for the Di
ccsnola collection outright, trusting to the people
20 repay him. and did it because he saw that ii he
did not no other citizen would have sufficient public
spirit to take the prompt acto that WAS necessary
So, too, he paid So 600 for Turner's *.sIa:c-
Ship not because his taste dictated the purchase.
hut because the friends Of art in this country
lhousht the opportunity to acquire a renowned
painting BY Turner ought not to be lost, and, ~
lSAA Elllcu upon ii johnston TO furnish tile
money to pay for this instllment Of art education
Ind, as usual. he put his hand in liH pocket at
nnce. Then too, he was one Of the original pro-
aiken, and has certainly done great deal to aid it
Is an assoclation Shie'always extending helping
hand Td. TO the individual artists who compose 1t.
But the finishing touch is yet to come, AS every
visitor to the Centennial knows there has been q
Centennial Loan Exhibition this summer in the !
\ AAeadsmy Of Design and the Metropolitan Museum, !
Al the principal collectors in the city Contributed
'icturcs FROM their private galleries, and the re- |
. nl1 WIS collection Of modern paintings such as
european visitors declared had never been
'qua1ed in Europe: The exhibition was an uncx-
'eeied snccess: There were 15+, 900 paid aamis-
lon ran, the weather vas intolerably hot. The
:ross receipts were SOL 600, and the sum left for
20 @ sxty aes at paying 9, al expenses nearly
luseum. The debt Of The former institution.
naGt catr WHICH wnaa it, it ad }ong 6:en suffering WIS
tcsh career OF prosperity; prizes are to be found
{, a; s senoois enlarged and new era in art begins
!, Now y to whom vas this great result due: To
ohal laSlor Johnston more than to any other man.
le va. the Chairman Of the Committee on aIan-
s zeay ias ;a3 ic9a nd nade his
;aht MS name is first on the list with ninety
GH :Ge: Inc only one WHO approaches him is 'e1-
ov Norsan n'i s e5htnor oa The pezt one he
Fsix. Mr. johnston has ryer theso ,or.ta t;,e
loney, help, and advice: largely by his efforts
is,r aeot has been paid of, Mr. Johnston riskin.
nnndfed SUPERB pictures for i've months Outside
MS own gallery to bring this about. and now
lese artlsts-if they deserve the na1ne-suueezea
~ ~ q f 50 week out Of who has gone to
,l, ~ anu bf:vely, since he began his last
ohnston had been still q niliionaife BE- wonii
ass nssn better treated As is he is compelled
ense. and the sale OF his piciures nay nos.;hIv he
'mewhat prejudiced in Consequence. There has
:en no mention IN the newspapers for some rcason
this disgusting affair, but among tnoae who nrn
;qua!nted with the facts it has aroused great in