New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-03
ART NEWS AND COMMENTS.
THE WEEK IN ART CIRCLES.
OF xrcHrxes-xKw WORK IN scuLrr-

~ heen recognized at last by the officers OF tho
New-York Etching Club. 1t Is announced That AT INC
exhibition next year the size OF tho plates win 10
li,n,,rd and no work will he received from publishers
TIL. ~ s,ep in the right direction, but It is doubtful
whetber much can be accomplished II Is too much
,o cYnect Wholesale reflections and complete change
I'm the spirit Of The exhibition. and only competc
change can restore discriminating interest IN inc
exhibition The pressure upon the Etch'hS C'ip u
a strong one and hardly be expected that the
prtducton of wall decofatiUnsn can be Ignored
Nevertheless there arc many American etchers who
have proved themselves capable of admin able work
without torturing All etching plate into likeness OF
something else. The who founded the Etching
Club were for the part painteretchcrs and for
few years aficrward much free, direct work was
done by American etcher Some Of these artists have
almost abandoned etching since It entered upon the
manufacturing stage, and Others have done little
work matter of business. rather than from real
desire for this special form OF expression This con-
dillon of affairs suggests tho practicabilty OF an ex
bbition Of painters ctchIngs alone. There should 90
many American etchers who have enough love for
the art show the public the best work they can do
The huge plates which crowded tho gallery OF tho
Etching Club last year have interest for amatcurs
of prints and 1t is true that amateurs generally have
been losing all respect for tho quality OF American
etchngs If the etchers care enough for the art 10
seek 10 iehabtate themselves tho opportunity which
IS suggested may be readily found IL Is certain
that exhibition OF American paih'c'-o''h"Ssi
representing sincere efforts at Individual expression.
would arouse an interest which would be intelligent
and much less restricted than artists may be-
ilevc.
Paintings and statuary intended for the seventh
autumn exhibition of the National Academy of De-
sign Will be received at tho Academy from Monday.
October 90, TO Wednesday, october 81, Inclusive mo
lists Of works TO be submitted must be made out ana
sent to the secretary of tho Academy on or before
October "a. The vanishing days will be THURSDAY
and Friday. November Is and 16 The exhibition
Will be opened TO the public on Monday, NovonDer
10, and 10 will be closed on December IL.
At the "Prze Fund, exhibition in the American
Art Galleries a few changes will be made this
veeh. The pictues which have been sold will
be delivered to the purchasers, and their places
filed usually with pictures by the same artists. inc
sales this exhibition have been smaller than last
year, but a fair attendance is reported
After the unfortunate experiences OF many Amer-
can cities with prctentious public fountains, IL Is
pleasant to note the good fortune In store 1or INC
City of Portland, Ore. Some time since Mr. SKID
more a citizen OF Portland, left sum OF money Tor
public fountain. 1t happened fortunately, that the
trustees sought competent advice and Mr. DIN L.
Warner was asked 10 submit design, which was &C
copied Mr., Warmers work has been completed anu
his figures which have been cast In bronze, are now
being adjusted TO the granite OF which the FOUNTAIN
Is partially composed. The ground plan OF the foui
tain is octaconal II will be placed at the meeting
Of five streets and will occupy space about twenty
three feet In diameter The height Will be about
fourteen feet The lower basin Will be OF granite and
this will be approached four sides by steps. On
four sides will be horse troughs supplied with water
issuing from lions heads, four OF which VIII have
cups attached The UPPER part OF the structure coh
sists of a bronze basin about eight feet IN diameter
resting upon central granite shaft, and upon bronze
yafId cit her
is essentially Crecian In form, is huted underneath
and the lip is lightly ornamcned.
The caryatdcs which arc female figures Of a
purely classic type, stand with the heads inclined
forward and the arms bent at an acute angle sup
porting the upper basin. The drapery consists OF
thin tunc clasped the shoulders and railing IN
light folds. II is evident that the sculptor had 10
express not merely grace OF form and charm OF line,
but also sense of structural strength The figures
are presented as supporting weight something oieh
lost sight OF I'm the modelling of caIyadcs, but ad-
mlrably realized In this case. There Is no sense Oh
weakness in the action incompleicness In the FORM
and at the same time there is loss of beauty, no
trace of the instructed vigor which so frequently
results I'm mere brutality The modelling shows a
definite understanding Of anatomical construction, and
the simplicity, purity and nobility OF the work are
devoid Of any of the affccaton OF picturesque
ness" 1t is unfortunate that sculpture of this high
quality could not be kept in NewYork but the city Of
Of so admirable a work of art.
The action of the Democratic caucus at Washing
ton in voting to retain the 80 per cent duty upon
works of art has caused much adverse comment among
artists and amateurs but the subject has been dis
cusscd so thoroughly that the news brought out no
expressions Of fresh opinions In fact the literature OF
the subject has already become volumnous soon after
the present duty was imposed Mcssrs. Cyrus j. Law
renee and Charles b. Curtis Of the Art Committee OF
tba I-pIo exhaustive
vass Of the artists of the country, which has boen
frequently referred TO. OF the 1921 artists who re-
piled TO the circular 1l97 were in favor of FREQ art
Since then various newspapers have from time 10
time made similar canvass. few months since
"Thc Boston Herald" devoted page TO the opinions
OF artists amateurs and dealers. The expressions OF
opinion which have been thus obtained have been
frequently reprinted and ignorance OF the facts Is
incxcusabic. American artists do not want The 80
per cent duty. This duty does not shut out bad
pictures II has not increased the sales OF American
pictures. The strongest American artists, indeed
nearly ALL have received their education TO greater
or less extent In foreign schools and galleries, which
have been freely opened them. and yet the pictures
Of their instructors taxed These arguments ana
others which might be cited ought to be familiar 10
every one except Mr.. Chapman, OF Michigan, and Mr.
Holman, Of Indiana
Whether the refusal TO remove or reduce the duty
will lead TO rctaa,ory action in Paris IS doubtful
For the last two three years It has been con-
Bdcnty stated again and again that the pictures OF
Americans would be rejected at the Salon, or II &C
cepted would receive no honors and 1t has been
said that various popular ateliers would be closed
against American students. Yet visitors to the an
nual Salons have continued 10 note the presence OF
many American works, and IN the Distribution OF
tokens OF recognition, Americans have not been
ignored No doubt American artists and students IN
Paris and Rome find II difficult and unpleasant
matter TO attempt an explanation Of this fax but
rcprisalsr unlikely. The French painters are
not apt TO be models OF unsclfsh magnaninty, and
they viii probably consider that their own interests
forbid declaration of against America. their
most profitable market But this docs not lessen the
odium attendant upon the imposition of a tax on
culture.
The May "Art Age" IS accompanied by large
Photographic reproduction OF winter Landscape
By Mr.. ID. Is. +. Hasbrouck The frontispioce Of the
June Art Journal IS an etching after painting
by Claus Meyer. called Quiet Happiness" Tho sub
1ect is genre, an old time" interior with figures.
Q Young woman sowing. q man with a fagOn within