Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-01
EXPOSITION AND ART.
Some Criticisms and Suggestions
Concerning the Gallery.
STILL ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
A Number Of Good Pictures We're Upon the
Walls This Year, but
TOO MANY OF A MEDIOCRE QUALITY


AT first glance we may seem little late
to critically discuss the recent Exposition
collection o: paintings. I fear it will so
appear to the editor of The DISPATCH,
who honored me with an invitation to write
upon this subject more than a month ago.
a painter cannot, however, even though he
feel an interest in the development of
aesthetic taste in the community, lay aside
his brush in the very heat of the harvest
time to write for publication.
The influence of a collection of paint
ings exhibited during six successive
weeks, and viewed by hundreds of thousands
of people, is of almost paramount impor-
tance, and, as this influence is not spent in
day, the topic may still be considered
timely. 1t is from the educational stand
point that an exhibition of art works is of
highest importance, and it is beyond dis
pute that widening influence is always ex-
erted by such exhibitions.
Is A PROFOUND IMPRESSION.
Indeed such is the popular method of art
education, and as such this means should be
jealously guarded. The most profound i'm
preston, asthetically. ever made upon the
people OF these cities was that exerted by the
opening of the Carnegie Free Library in
Allegheny.
The influence of that notable collection
cannot be overestimated. Therefore, many
of our people had enjoyed little opportunity
of examining the collective works of for
eign painters, or of discovering by compari-
son and research the higher qualities which
exist despite the wide difference in treat
ment and subject. This privilege was en-
joyed by the Jew who could make frequent
pilgrimages to New York and Washington,
and who had the entree into the private
galleries in the East
The Carnegie loan exhibition offered the
golden opportunity at home. and the tre-
mendous pressure upon the art gallery set
forever at rest all questions touch
ing tine earnest desire of our peo-
plel ito enjoy and understand
the creations of art. 1t did more-it fixed,
for all who carefully and thoughtfully
studied the works there exhibited, q high
standard. and at least this number of people
will never be satisfied with an inferior col
lection of paintings. The pictures parted
with this influence. and are no less valuable.
Our people experienced a great aesthetic
impulse, and the consciousness of increased
capacity for enjoyment, and are vastly
richer. 1t is this thought which makes the
public use grand.
THE FINAL ESTIMATE.
OF course in the examination of any col
lection of paintings the final estimate is de-
pendent upon some standard OF judgment
deliberately or unconsciously adopted.
There is wide difference between TIE
original application of the word art, derived,
as it was, from the Greek, or probably.
oh
which, in this sense, was intended to de-
scribe any act of dexterity; and the more
modern application OF the word, as used bv
Palixenes, when she reminds Perdita that
''there is an art which doth mend nature
change it, rather, but the art itself is ma
ture."
II we accept the standard which REQUIRES
dexterity simply, the careful reproduction
of objects and coIors upon canvas. then there
was reasonable percentage of merit in the
Exposition collection of paintings. II on
the other hand, we adopt the higher
standard of judgment, then simple hon
esty compels me, since nv opinion
has been asked, to say that the collection as
whole was very inferior one. 1t is lust
as well to state facts of this kind plainly.
In all that pertains to art our city has made
rapid progress in the past few years, and
the most potent influence for good has been
that exerted by paintings of sterling worth.
A common interest in the DEVELOPMENT of
aesthetic taste in our midst should prompt US
all to seek only the truth in relation to anv
collection of paintings exhibited. Nothing
Is ever gained by dissimulation.
NO INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION.
1t IS not my purpose to discuss the
pictures of the collection individually.
Nothing is to be gained at this time by
review Of that kind. A considerable num-
ber are very good, comparatively few DOS
sessed any of the highest qualities, and a
large majority of the entire collection were
OF very mediocre quality. A large majority
OF any collection, OF course, give to the col
lection its distinctive character.
1t is pity that through motives of econ
omy, or for any reason whatever, a collec-
tion of this kind should be exhibited to such
vast multitude of people. One of the
highest purposes of the Exposition is that
of education. If the music and art fur
nished by the Exposition Society each
year is OF high order the influence will be
great, because the opportunity for exerting
such influence is magnificent.
II may be replied that the highest class Of
paintings cannot be secured Tor an art exhi-
bition connected with an industrial exposi-
tion, but the st. Louis Exposition Society
secured this year one of Munkacsy's impor-
tant works, the "Death of Mozart" and a
large number OF works by the most eminent
painters of the Barbizon school, Pittsburg
is destined to be an art city OF no mean pre-
tensions, and these matters are worthy OF
our most careful and conscientious consider
atlon. JOHN W. BEATTY.