Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-01
1.-THE ANGELUs'' Is ALL RIGHT.
Mr.. sutton Is Entirely Satisfled--Some
Critics Answered.

From the New York Tribune, To-day.
JAS. +. Sutton, who bought Millet's famous
picture, 'fhe Angeius." for the American arr
association, IL not at all disconnected OF
troubled by the sneering criticisms which have
appeared in certain quarters in regard to his
recently acquired treasure and the circum.
stances attending the purchase Of it. He was
seen yesterday at the American art association's
rooms, No. 6 East 2Sd street, and talked freely
on the subject to . Tribune reporter.
II have done nothing with . view to adver.
Using the picture" said Mr.. Sutton, land as ia
its fame, that has been growing for forty
years. These attacks seem to be the result OF
personal spite, and have good reasons to think
that such is the case. But if these people hope
to hurt the picture by abusing il, they make q
great mistake, for the public have q way OF
taking decided interest in what is wrongfully
cried down. As to the picture being worth
what was paid for IL, I may say that there were
five 6ther bidders as determined as myself, and
moreover, that can sell 1t to two galleries in
this country IL / wish to. But the picture is
not for sale, and will not, as believe, be sold
again. The only manner in which shall ever
dispose of 1t will be to give it to some public
institution, II, indeed, we do not establish such
an institution here ourselves.
at is true that shall, if possible, bring the
work in on bond, as l should not wish at once
to pay upward Of S35, 900 in duty upon it, and
as believe that the laws requiring such pay
ments will soon be repealed. duty on works
Of art is a detriment to all the interests of
American artists and to the cause of art in this
country. | believe that this is becoming
understood, and that Congress will appreciate
it fully enough in the near future to change the
law. If not, the duty will be paid, but the
picture will not be sold, and no sort of an offer
will in any Gaze be considered.
In opposition to the merits of the work the
opinions have been quoted Of men belonging
to an entirely different school, who are totally
incapable OF approaching or comprehending
Millet's work. Their element is the carnal, his
the spiritual. They appeal to the senses, he to
the soul. This difference is we'll understood by
those who have so high an opinion of The An
gelus.' 1t ranks in character, though not in
workmanship, with the .Sistine Madonna of
Raphael. The people will certainly be invited
to come here to see the picture, but it is absurd
to say, as these carpers have it, that the price
paid rather than the merits Of the picture,
Will be the drawing inducement. Can anybOdy
prevent the public from knowing what the
pictute brought when it was sold at public
auction and caused a contest that interested
several nations thousands Of miles apart? We
have said, and shall say, nothing about the
price. bought the picture because knew it
was the work of a true master. But am not a
dealer, and do not care to have people know the
price. None of Millet's works are in the hands
OF dealers They are all in private collections"
In the course of the interview Mr.. Sutton
also said that the picture had been increasing
in value ever since its real merits were first
discerned, some twenty years ago, and when
the Wilson collection was sold in 1881 Nj.
Secretan was glad to acquire it for about
$4,000, which was then considered q high
price. Even then, however, it would have
fetched still larger sum had it not been for an
agreement between NJ. Secretan and another
bidder not to oppose each other and to draw
lots for the prize after it was knocked down.