The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-02
AT THE ART EXHIBITION.

When an art association puts itself TO great
trouble and expense to procure collection of
pictures for exhibition with the benevolent pur
pose of giving the benighted community chance
to attain measure of aesthetic culture the least
that community can do is to take advantage of
the gracious opportunity. AS the many advance
notices of the enterprise explained, in substance,
people must see pictures before they know what
they are or caa appreciate them. With this
great truth and the thoughtful consideration of
the society in mini, individuals who have any
regard whatever for the culture of their immor-
tai souls, of their gifted but incom petely de-
veloped Observation-Disclosures portion of their
being It Is that may be improved by familiarity
with pictureS-these persons conld not do other
wise than to HE themselves to the gallery at
an early day. and absorb as much high art as
time and circumstances will permit.
At the very entrance to the temple OF culture
comes the first suggestion that the object of the
exhibition is not altogether philantnropic. 1t is
card intimating, in a very pointed ard per-
emptory manner, that most OF the pictures
for sale, and some of them for rent. The Wis
itor who has come filled with desire to crafty
the Association by cultivatng and improving his
mind. feels his zeal chill as he gazes upon this
legend. 1t casts mercenary shadow upon what
he had been led to believe was the purest brand
of aesthetic benevolence. Conscious Of the soil
tary quarter Of a dollar in his pocket, and aware
that the demands of grasping landlord for
house rent would interfere with the hiring of
chromo to say nothing of the purchase of one,
even the installment plan, the impecunious
seeker for artistic light moves on with diminished
serenity Members OF the Association, sta
toned here and there, whisper audibly about
expenses, or. wandering languidly about, look
at him coldy, as if penetrating the shallow
depths of his pocket and show an utter indif
ference as to whether hs accumulate any culture
or not Budding Bstheticsm feels frost bitten.
A correspondent of the Journal criticises the
lunch department. of the art show as an unde-
srable and shocking feature. This is wrong
view of the matter, With the opinion that the
association evidently has of the average under
standing and appreciation of art in Indianapolis
and if the Art Association doesn't understand
it, who does2-it was plainly regarded as a Neat
thing to lead the reluctant native up she unac-
customed paths of culture by tempting MIN with
the material attractions of doughnuts and ham
sand witches. The unfavorable comments of the
correspondent upon the setting of the lunch
stamp him at once unacquaihted with the
latest aesthetic creed that nothing is so artistic
as simplicity. And If a stoneware pitcher of
milk, fianked on the right by another filled with
weeds, and the left by plate OF obese fried
cakes, is not simplicity, where, then. will you
find it2
The great number of fruit and flower pieces
among the painted exhibits is POSSIBLY further
carrying ont of the idea that the crude Indiana
taste is to be cultivated by gradual process.
There are grapes, apples. peaches, plums and
oranges enough hanging on tho walls to stock q