The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-25
SOME FOREIGN MOTIONS ABOUr THE
FINE ARTS IN AMERICA.

/
considerable reputation. reviews In LArt OF
Dec. the American pictures exhibited at tho
late Exhibition. In addition. he puts forward
| his views, as gently as possible. upon the
general condition and prospects Of the flno arts
In America, and IL he does not natter us, he
at least shows that he is cxellcnty disposed
toward us. He admits. in n semi-deprecatory
way. that he cannot. in turning to consider the
American pictures avoid recurring to previous
discussions OF tho question: Which Is more
conducive to tho progress Of the fine arts.
monarchial or n republican form OF govern
ment' 1t is. OF course. a very tempting subject
OF controversy for peculiarly constituted gem
tlemen like NJ. Tardeu and his confreres; but
In this country we do not feel that we have any
time to waste on agreeable distractions, and
consequently prefer 10 concern ourselves with
matters OF moro practical moment. M Tar
dicu know what sort OF republic ours was
which no does not, and could institute COMPARE
sons between II and some available monarchy
whore tho fine arts did or did not flourish. IL
might be profitable to give the subject some con-
sidcration.
There is some excellent matter for reflection
which this we-meaning and intelligent gem
teman may find In looking over the relations
that have existed from time to time between our
Government and various OF our social bodies
"hN N'Athih bolbOhS DIOlttblnK INC uTlS OF uc-
sign. survey Of our public buildings. of the
paintings with which wo have commem-
Grated events in our history upon tho walls Of
our national Capitol. Of the statues Of our great
men that adorn the halls and corridors OF that
edilcc. or that are strewn about our public
parks. would afford no evidence In favor OF
either sdo OF the above question. but would
possibly point to the conclusion that II is pos
sible to do things that are quite as execrable in
n younR republic as under any government OF
monarchial form that ever existed. Had we
had a monarchy hero for tho last hundred
years instead Of n republic we should
probably have had our Winnie Reams limo
Gently deflinR the memory OF our rulers with
marble denominations our Powells bcsmear-
ing our Parliament House with indecorous
ridicule OF tho victories OF our naval heroes.
and host Of Rothermels overwhelming our
great Generals with yards upon yards OF
painted libel What would there have boen to |
prevent some sculptor who had mmortalzed |
himself by placing statue Of a Fiz Greene |
Halleck in the Royal Park from going to |
Court and laying before the de Jacto King |
OF the period vast and comprehensive |
scheme for enhancing tho art depravity OF |
tho whole nationp A Mr.. Mcdonald. more
or less highly held In tho esteem
OF his fellow men for bronze statue recently |
hhhtu " Nut ubSuuu cOlltctlOn IN our Central |
Park is described by one OF our contempora- |
ries as having lately waited upon Mr.. Hayes |
with proposition for the establishment OF |
great Government Art School Of unlimited scope |
and most approved political quality. Tho |
- President was much pleased" and expressed |
his great satisfaction with the project
Such facts as this. added to n little familiarity |
with what painful and discouraging results had |
accrued from such limited subvcntions "a art |
had already received in America. might have de-
TERED NJ Tardiou from making his good-na-
tured suggestion. that possibly after some
years. considerations. perhaps less aesthetic
than unitarian and economic" might make It
appear expodient for our Government to lend |
its aid directly TO the cultivation OF the fine arts
This presents the practical and concrete aspect
OF the question that has disturbed NJ. Tardieu.
and which our entire absorption in
politics and business" does not pre-
vent us from properly comprehending.
Candidly. we do not feel that we arc worthy
lust yet. OF tho distinguished aid Of our Govern
ment. and the less money we think Is wasted
In behalf OF art the better. Such a subyention
ne NJ. Tardieu contemplatos would very nearly
resemble in its results the consequences that
would probably ensuo upon the presentation to
the ambitious barbarians on n Just discovered
island OF printing press and materials. The
gift would be made ducks and brakes Of with
despatch. showing that barbarians can more
surely and proftably work out their salvation
by slower processes-a conclusion which sug-
gests n sufficiently obvious analogy
NJ. Tardleu will not dare to affirm" that
the United States are inhabited 10y an artistic
people. but think we certainly wish to be ar
lstlc. and that that Is something at any rate.
He does not quito agree with NJ. W. Burger,
another critic who believes that Americans
have no art, congratulates them on the fact be,
cause they will not wear themselves out In try
Ing to do what ia new. hut will. owing TO some
neNplicahle social metamorphosis in whose
they are apparently involved
one day spontaneously create surprising pic
lures. VI. Tardieu thinks. on the contrary that
Heir least care is about seeking new inspira
Ions and spontaneity Of motive and points to
he good pictures that they do. which are all the
more remarkable because achieved while
reading In paths already well worn
He speaks very encouragngly Of some OF our
artists. notably OF Mr. Arthur Quartley. Mr..
Wyatt Eaton, Mr.. Winslow Homer. Mr. l.. C.
Tiffany. Mr.. George lines. Mr.. W. p. W. Dana.
Mr.. Waiter Shirlaw. and Mr.. F. A. Bridgman.
Mr.. Homers picture was a Virginia negro
study, and although NJ Tardieu misappre-
bends its motive and what 1t implies with re-
gard to the picturesque value Of our negro
population. he nevertheless finds much in It
hat he warmly comments. OF Mr.. Quartey's
Morning Effoct-New York Harbor" he speaks
"a the highest terms. and he places It
frankly upon an equal footing with the hest
york OF both VI. Robert Mols and NJ Nallon
hr, Wyatt Eaton's Harvesters at Rest is said
Q be one OF those rural motives which owe
heir artistic letters ot naturalization 10 the
poetic genius Of Jean Francois Millet" and is
'haracterlzod, in other terms that are quite
gratifying; Upon the whole II is evidentth
when we do ANYTHING IN America that is really
prejudice to be overcome before we obtain our
iue measure OF appreciation abroad.
The Menace OF the Russian students.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sjr Tho |