Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-28
THE ARTISTS IDEAS.
Why the Exposition Board Should
Give Them a Good Place for
A SPLENDID PUBLIC ART GALLERY.
Plenty of Fine Pittsburg Talent, But 1t
Must Be Encouraged,
Or CINCINNATI WILL OUTSTRIP Us

The successful issue of the Exposition at
no very distant date, and the uncertainty as
to Just what the Board is going to do in re-
gard to art, and what the effect of an art
gallery in the Exposition would be, are sub
iects of interest to every citizen who feels
that step in advance is soon to be made in
every way.
In an interview yesterday, John W. Beat
ty said what he thought himself, and what
he had gathered among his brother artists
in this city, and he certainly voiced the SEN
tipents of the artists who are all interested
in the action of the Exposition when he said:
We should have permanent art exhibition
in Pittsburg and If the Exposition directors
look favorably upon the project, now is the
time to discuss it.
Why? First, because the city, as great
manufacturing center, needs it. Second, be-
cause it would be standing expression of one
phase of our intellectual life. Third, because
it would afford all our people powerful means
of cultivating knowledge and taste.
NOT ONE BRANCH, BUT ALL.
To accomplish these objects. exhibits should
not be confined to the fine arts. Every avail
able article of home or foreign manufacture,
embodying art qualities in design and decora-
tion, should be included, and at the disposal,
throughout the year, Of students and repre-
sentatives of manufacturing establishments Ii
should, at least, be a reflex of the very highest
standard, thus far attained, by American man.
ufacturers and designers. 1t is more than
probable that this feature of a permanent e1-
hibition could easily be secured.
Many manufacturers throughout this and
other countries would doubtless contribute
representative articles. Let us look at the
subject more closely. A few years ago Major
Samuel Harper read paper before the Central
Board of Education. He said:
.1t is hard to admit il, but it is true, that Tor
the most beautiful articles We are dependent
upon foreigners. The reason is because we
have neglected industrial education. We have
been more careful about producing Quantity
than quality. We pay an enormous trfoute to
foreign people. We have the material. but we
want the skill, The countries on the other side
of the water reap the benefit. The time has
come to inaugurate a-general system of indus
trial education. Pittsburg ought to come
among the first"
At the annual convention of the Potter's
Association. held in Washington this week
(January 23), 1t was agreed among the mem
bers that there is rapid drift OF opinion in the
direction of the production of the finer and
more artistic classes of ceramic ware. The
vast bulk of the importations from foreign
can manufacturer has been confining himself
almost entirely to the cheaper grades of earth
enware.
We, like the Indian, have been content to
make clay pots, seeing nothing but the utility
of the article. The same observation applies
with equal force to many articles OF home
manufacture. Europe has been performing
the intellectual work,
AND REAPING THE BENEFIT. =
Th;e oonn+rv bo G mad a ron;d etridas IN the
direction of artistic productions during the
past few years. The Cincinnati Rookwood
pottery is known now for Its artistic worth
throughout the markets of the world. Cincin-
natl is not Pittsburg. The reputation this
sister city is gaining through one product, does
not benefit our city.
The National Potters' Convention referred
to, by resolution, decided to offer liberal
prize series of prizes for artistic designs in
the matter of form or decoration. for the pur-
pose of encouraging the production of original
and artistic designs and decorations by purely
American talent. Some time ago the President
of one of our largest glass manufacturing es-
adjustments, in conversation with me. said
that his chief difficulty in Pittsburg was to Sc
cure competent designers. Now, If a PittSburg
designer or pupil decides to compete for one of
these prizes, to what source shall he turn
for information or standard? Or, what is
more practical, if a Pittsburg artisan decides
to create new design for one of the many
articles manufactured here, from what source |
shall he draw inspiration?
He has but his own workshop and the articles
previously designed therein. He should Lave
within his horizon the whole universe of de- |
sign! Cut off from the student the knowledge |
of the past, and he must begin at the beginning.
Blot out the existing masterpieces of art, and |
the artist must study the whole field for him |
self. This is what 3 permanent exhibition |
would mean to Pittsburg. A constant stimulus |
to manufacturers and means of education to |
young people especially.
If we could have the Vanderbilt collection of |
paintings in Pittsburg for ten years for public |
use. the effect would he tremendous. Our city |
would, In the matter OF art, lay aside its |
swaddling clothes and walk. Such is the |
educational influence OF mastery works.
EFFECTS OF A PUBLIC GALLERY.
If we can have for public use, complete |
of the highest attainment in |
design and decorative art, the influence will |
not be lost upon our city. She will begin to |
examine her children more critically before |
sending them forth. Having the means of |
at hand, we will thereby make
advance. We can have this kind of a |
permanent exhibition, if we will, and if the |
project commends itself to the exposition |
To secure works representing
the fine arts will be more difficult.
Bad pictures would defeat the object. Good |
ones cost enormously. Nevertheless the mas
terpieces of the world can be secured in the |
form of photographs and other reproductions,
at little cost. Plaster casts do not cost much, |
and they truthfully represent the artistic wealth
of ages. If a home had been offered for paint
ing in Pittsburg, it is probable that the Shoen-
berger, the Woolf, and the Thompson Bell COL
lectfons of paintings would not have been
taken from Pittsburg, without at least paying
tribute to the native home of the collectors |
The finest architecture Of the world could be
represented by reproductions. Such an exhibit
would benefit the Exposition Society's annual
and prove an enduring benefit to
this city.
1t should be under the care of an incorpor-
ated aid society, whose object should be to
secure a permanent building and |
steadily increase the usefulness of the organ