New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-28
FINE ARTS IN BOSTON.
[E CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION.


THE CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION.
LACK OF PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE DIsPLAY-THE
ENTERPRISE BLIGHIED BY THE ULTRA-CONsERv-
ATIsM OF THE MANAGERS OF THE MGsEVM-ThE
BERNBARDT EXHIBITION.
fTRoM OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSEI
BosGoN Dec. 23-rhe exhibition of the works OF
living American artists, a description of which ap-
pesred IN The TRIBUNE at the time of its opening
in November, closed Monday, the goth inst,
after display Of SIX weeks at the Museum of Fine
Arts. The enterprise was in the main intention a
new one. although it has been from year to year
presaged by exhibitions which inturn assumed vari-
Gus modified forms, from which was crystalllzed Mt
last the recent collection. There is no reason why
New-York should have had so many annual exhibi-
lions heretofore and Boston none at all. But the
latter city has had its exhibition at last, and what
has come of it Not much public interest, for the
number Of visitors at the Museum has not sensibly
increased on account of it, end the figures Of the
gate-keeper show that tho receipts for Nc
vember were $50 less than for Octo-
Der, when no special attraction was offered.
Again. it has not been conducive of encouragement
to the artists who exhibited No effort made to
sell any of the pictures. and so hardly any were
sold. No information as TO prices was to be gained
in the gallery or from the catalogues and the female
attendants in charge seemed much more interested IN
the progress of their knitting and embroidery work
than in directing woudbe purchasers. There was
no agent salesman at hand to perceive the pleas
ure of visitors and TO encourage them the pur-
pose of buying as is often done, even by such in
situations as the Royal Academy, IN London; and
few artists can be found who are willing to say that
they have got any advantage whatever out OF the
exhibition. There is a universal growl over the
action Of the managers of the Museum, and, IN the
L.. ..n dad
The Art Museum suffers from being practically con-
trolled by Board of Trustees who are mainly
wealthy men, and regard the support of the dignity
of the institution as the chief duty required of
Them 1t is to their influence the fact
is largely due that all efforts of the artists
to sell their pictures have been unsuccess-
full. Happily removed by the accident of birth and
the fortunate requirement of wealth from the vulgar
struggle for daily bread and butter they fail to per
ceve that artists not equally favored, and are
surprised that they consider practical return
for their work the first prerequisite, and glory the
| last of such an exhibition. Thus it happens that
the Museum whose main intent Is the impartlng OF
instruction in the growth and tendencies OF art, has
| almost no example of contemporary painters.
! committee has under consideration at present the
purchase of works from the recent collection.
but there is no expectation among our artists that
fully merit the honor but the widest hope they dare
TO entertain is that after their death their works
may be found worthy of place in this Metropolis of
art 1t is not an encouraging feature Of our art
effort when hope Of anything save pOstinortuary
laurels animates the painter.
This matter of interest not only to local artists
but also TO those of New-York, many Of whom ex-
Mbited their methods here. Without their eooTera-
fjOp orr displays must always be lacking in interest,
in thp of and
degenerate into narrow and unlmportant analIS'
BY acting with the painters of Boston they can even
move the management of the Museum OF Fine Ats
to a more liberal and practical line OF policy, ana
future exhibitions Will be rendered more successful
than THIS last, which, indeed # 1t were moi the irs
OF the kind, might with justice, be called almost
failure There Is wealth and inclination here Tor
the purchase of many pictures and with a little
Well-drected and Well-organlzed effort an annual
exhibition might be established which would be tull
of interest and profit 10 the public, aud encouraging
with substantial results to the artists. Without
such effort the outlook for the future Is not
encouraging
| The season of art exhibitions in Boston has been
thus far a very busy ana interesting one Not the
least important events nave Dee eAhiD llOhS ~ Two
of the prominent artists ot New1 ORE, Mesors. Waiter
| Shirlaw anu WInsOw Homer, the atters collection
| having lust been Withdrawn. Both exhibitions
excited much attention, and several OF Mr. ShlTIaWs
WORKS, and about thirty OF MI HomeTs water cOl0rs
have been secured for private collections here. Mr.
IIltOn, also, has been exhibiting number OF his
| works which are much admired for their care and
finish but considered TO be little IN sympathy
| with the present tendency ana future uSVtlODueut
of landscape painting. There are many ARTISTS, how
| ever, who might gather from these works some
needed lessons upon the value VI patience ana labor.
| The Bernhardt collection Of paintings and s!atuary
remains Oh exhibition daring tho week III the gal
| lery of the Studio building. One OF our leading
portrait painters, pupil Of BOnnat, and a young
man Of skill ard a commensurate confidence II HIM
self has achieved a somewhat unfortunate lame IN
| connection with ncT Nlsit to boston. lie Sc
cured from Mile Bernhardt three separate and DIS
tlnct promises 10 visit his studio and thrice did he
prepare Tor her, hanging the walls with portraits
! IRON his own brush winch he borrowed from them
owners, and making pr0fuso aud sunDtuoas ar
! raugements for her comfort. Other invited guests
! came and waited, but she tickle sarah came nOt AT
one time she was chatting az the Art Museum Will
some of the artists and forgot her appointment al
another she was doing IAis auO AZ turd that, and
| tbe decorated studio and It's occupants sadly and
/ yajnly awaited her coming. Why she thus failed
! to keep heI appointment MOI stated but prob
able cause found III remark made DS the aftIst ~
her one afternoon the Studio gallery, into winch
the actress had strayedto look at her works. Made
moIseile" said he, " / have been here all day ue-
! Tending yOnr pictures" That her paintings and
Sculptures needed such chanpiOning seemed moi 10
nave suggest ed Itseil 10 tie lady. Sine was very
much vexed II saId by tins unfortunate reinarA,
but ehe mad ner revenge before she departed.