The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-08
THE PILETTE UB.
Something Of its Past History and some sug-
gestions for its Future.

There is little club in Twenty-second
street, which, In a young country like ours,
ought to have better support and more en-
terprising management. The Palette seems to
have been originally established as a meeting
place for artists. But as art does not pay well In
its infancy considerable numb Der OF its original
mem bers seem 10 have been unable TO pay
their fees, and the club was in danger Of col
lapse. unless measures were taken TO add bust
ness men 10 the membership. After time, the
artistic element began to finally vanish, and the
institution, instead Of being club Of artists,
has now become a club having for Its presum-
able aim 1.-THE announcement OF art" Instead
Of merchants being guests Of artists, artists are
now guests Of merchants. and mainly Of German
merchants. The result OF all this Is that paint
ers, sculptors, and draughtsmen OF real talent
aud .one standing do not care any longer for
the Palette and the club has to coDtent itself
mainly with mere beginners. An originally very
GOOD idea has thus been dishgured, and an ex-
cellent opportunity lost for the social and busl-
ness Intercourse OF tue representatives OF all
Yet there seems 10 be all the necessary means
on hand TO make the club serve IT. original pur-
pose. The premises are very comiuftahle' there
IL commOdious and well-ghted hall for pic
ture exhibitions and concerts and plenty Of
rooms for the general club entertainments. y
sufficient number Of members appears 10 have
been secured to keep the establishments in good
working order; but there Is evidently a want OF
initiative IN the management OF tho CLUB. The
pictures hanging about the walls are either very
poor and old ones belonging to the establish
mcnt, or else temporarily loaned ones; and even
these are few, with stu fewer GOOD ones among
them.
All that is done for the promotion OF art
seems to be limited to monthly reception, at
which some music Is given, anc two drawing
classes d week, organized under the mastership
Of Soh0r Cusachs, gifted Catalan draughtsmGn,
who changed his trade Of druggist in,New Orleans
for a more artistic profession in New York.
MIR. Cusachs Is the chairman ~ some commit
tee Of the club; yet he seems unable properly TO
produce even his own WORKS. Being sculptor,
besides being draughtsman, he has full
sized plaster model Of the Dead Christ stored
away somewhere up stairs In room crowded
with all sorts Of rubbish. The model was maze
under the mastershp Of Prof Pcrrelli. Of New
O1eans and Is an excellent work, deserving y
much better fate. But a. the club has no special
department for sculptures and none for models,
such works arc put aside IA being too cum GER
some TO lie kept In the reception rooms.
Music seems to be more lucky at that club
than painting or sculpture. At all events, tho
last monthly entertainment was a very fair sue
cess, both IN regard to attendance and To the
merits OF the artists who took part IN II. Mr.
| Cervantcs, Sienur Ferranti, Miss Cozina Goodeu,
| and Monsieur and Madame White, showed them
selves, in their respective branches, as very tai
cnted Interpreters OF good music. The pro-
graunme included Meyerbeer, Liszt, Weber,
| Rosslni Mendolssohn, Mozart, and Schubert.
| After the concert dances commenced, many OF
| the ladies taking part In them with their hon
| nets on. In summer time, IN tttcs chdmptrcs,
straw or lace bonnets are very suitable during
dances. but heavy winter velvet oonnets in 4
| suffOcating hall are by no means artistic, and
| still less artistic Is the necessity under which
| the guests are placed TO Ike their ladies down
stairs into German knetpe whenever they want
any Tefreshment.
The P.lette Club has fair chance TO become
| some daY very useful and pleasant Institution,
| but It should decidedly keep more In view ITS
original artst purpose, aud Try To he faithful "
| IL in the little details pointed out here.