National Republican., 1877-08-25
THE FINE Arts IN AMERICA.

If we may Judge from the periodical lit
erature Of the country during the last decade
there is nothing which is more universally
longed for by intelligent Americans than
increased attention to the cultivation of the
6ne arts in our Republic. This desire Is
also manifested by the purchase by our citi-
gems of many meritorious works Of art, by
efforts to establish art galleries, by the in
crease in the number of persons going abroad
to study art by the interest taken in the
study Of the department of the fine arts in
Ehe Centennial Exhibition, by some at
tempts, mostly abortive, however, towards
Bmbellishing the National Capital with
works Of art, and by the laudable desire
shown to appreciate and reward every
worthy artist our country has produced.
But notwithstanding all these favorable
Indications art has not fourished in Ameri-
ca, nor does it seem likely that it will do so
soon, unless some means can be devised of
effectually encouraging it. There is now
no want of persons who are anxious to pur
sue art, but they long in vain for good mas
ters, the society of artists, and above all for
enlightened and liberal patrons. 1t Is well
known that during its infancy modern Eu-
ropean art was greatly indebted to the
Church for encouragement and for the in
spiration which produced many great mas
terpieces. In all countries in which art has
Hourished it has enjoyed patronage from
the Church, the State or wealthy privileged
classes. We have swept AWAY the State
Church and the privileged classes, and only
the State remains capable of exercising
patronage in such a manner as to call forth
the highest efforts of genius
The want Of stability of wealth in fami-
lies in America forms an insuperable OBJ
.ta 81 10 lao. 40 Of tba rta
here In country in which fortunes
rarely remain in families more than two
generations, neither the disposition nor
the power to patronize the arts, is likely to
exist to such an extent as is necessary for
their proper development Hence the sug-
gestion which we made q few weeks ago
that the General Government ought to be-
come patron of the fine arts for the en-
bellishment of this capital in q worthy
manner.
The New York Graphic, in commenting
upon our article objects to the suggestion
because the efforts of Congress thus far in
that direction are not calculated to inspire
confidence in the art culture Of that body
We frankly admit that Congress is not .
body to undertake the business Of deciding
upon the merits Of works of art, nor woult
we propose that it should do so. Our plar
wOUlu 10 nave tnt NllsltltSs u
q commission composed Of persons possessed
of the highest qualifications as art critics
This scheme, Of course, implies that we art
TO have some day or other Congresses sufli
GENTLY enlightened and liberal TO appreciat.
the true worth of the fine arts, and sufIi
GENTLY patriotic to decree that the Capita
Of their country shall be rendered inierio
In its art embellishments to no other capita
on the globe.
The Graphic refers to the fact that w
have many young artists abroad rs an en-
coumging sign for American art. Unior
tunatcly many Of them never become NOR
than mediocre imitators. Indeed, 1t may
be questioned as to whether the mos
rapid progress, the greatest originality AM
the highest merit would not be bette
secured by the total exclusion for mcr
purpose of study of all foreign works Of TT
and all foreign teachers thereof therch,
throwing our artists upon their own inven
tive powers and the resources Of their OWL
genius.
The first work of an artist, as TAME wei
observes, Is to study nature anxiously anC
minutely and to keep the objects them
selves before his eyes and strive to repre-
sent them with scrupulous fidelity. A
APPELLEE and ZEUxIs and PHIDIAs at
tanned the highest merit as artists withou
studying in foreign schools, SO ii is possible
for our artists TO become great without eve
seeing the great masterpieces of the Ole
World.
Another consideration is that our ar
can never attain the highest excellenc,
until II becomes national instead of provin
cial. Our National Capital must become
the centre Of taste and patronage to which