New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-20
TIE U4DEN COLLECTION.

We publish this morning review OF the etched
work OF Mr.. Seymour Haden, to whom ccnsen-
sus of intelligent opinion has conceded The IrsU
place among the landscape ctchers of this century
| As a student but not follower OF Rembrandt ana
an etchcr Of true artistic perception, eNtraordi-
nary vgor remarkable tact in expression, ana
persistent enthusiasm, Mr. lladen has earned n
rank in the history of the ctchcr's art winch Is
no longer seriously questioned. AS Inc lrlDuhe
announced last June, MIR. liadens collection Oh
his own work and his collections of the etchinsS
of Whistler Meryon and other modern ARTISTS have
been purchased by Mcssrs. Wunderch * Co, OF
this city SO important purchase Is certainty
crcditabc 10 this firm, and we may draw the
natural inference that IL implies zeal among our
print collectors which the general puDnc nave
hardly appreciated. But in this case there is no
immediate question of the sale Of individual prints
IL is understood that Mr.. lIaden sold his collection
as a whole in order to avoid a possible dispersal
after his death Mr.. Wunderlich proposes to Keep
intact the collection Of each artists work. II is
hardly necessary 10 emphasize the quality of a
collection formed by an amateur of Mr.. IIadcns
Judgment and opportunities. few unmporiant
proofs are absent from the collection of lis own
work, but it is essentially complete, and it is alto
rcthcr improbable that any collection equalling
/
into the market
Meantime we have in this city great art mti-
scum which has no print department whatever
Through the generosity of Mr.. Cornelius Wander
hilt and others the museum has obtained coilec
tions of drawings, but the few etchings by Mr.
IIndcn and the handful of other prints at the
museum cannot be seriously regarded rs forming
a Collection In many other departments the
loo bcnt ,Vpl on b.
Inc spirit OF It's supporters. Tie gent enen have
teen called upon 10 bear heavy burden. Every
year the mere maintenance Of the museum has
conpc' led them 10 make good n deficit. They me
annual contributors 10 the support of the museum
and almost every year they have brought offerings
of one kind oi another to be added ~ its collcc-
,ions The Haden collection furnishes an opp0r
tIrity for the foundation Of print department
20 tIc museum which will not occur again, but
an appeal to the trustees would be simply an al
tempt To impose another burden upon the gen
crosby Of gentlemen who are grleyously taxed
already Thus. since the museum has no fund
for purchases aud since It's immedh,tc supporters
ar, ovcrburlcncd il IS hoped that this opportunity
viii commend itself 10 some of orr ihcral-minded
citizens The price Of tic lladen collection is small
compared with the prices often paid for single eN-
amp.cs OF French pictorial art. The reiinquish-
mcnt of one of thcSc paintings intended for pri-
waite o.. l'cry would provide the public with COM
plctc illustration Of tie strongest individual work
~ the century m Landscape etching. and II would
enrich the Metropolitan Museum with collection
which would always be an honorable and distnc-
tive feature
We are aware that such suggestions are made
more easily than they are executed. but there IS
oo much reason 10 fear that this rare opportunity
will pass and even that the lladen collection may
leave this citv. Nevertheless. il, purchase for me
museum would be- small matter. compare
lively speaking, and We cherish hope that the
foundation of print collection for the public may
appeal 10 some one with ability 10 act.