The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-01

The statement which comes from Paris that
one of the wealthiest citizens Of the West.
who Is now in France on a visit. hAs expended
81. 900. 900 in the purchase of masterpieces Of
the modern French school of painting, il
one that is likely TO give rise to a variety Of
comment. Is 1t not a reflection upon art in
the United States that an American. in order
TO furnish forth his gallery. is compelled to
go abroad TO obtain q supply Of pictures for
that purpose? Or, after all. is this disposi-
ton TO seek the foreign market simply q phase
of that spirit so often observed in America
which discovers in foreign goods of every
kind superior qualities which domestic do not
possessy
The inclination to buy abroad all works OF
art is. we believe. chiefly founded upon a Just
recognition of the fact that America has not
yet risen to the full height Of European art.
We have carried the principle Of political lib
erty to a higher stage Of development than
any other country on the globe. We have ell
most reached tho utmost point Of perfection
in the material comforts and Injuries of life
in this respect indeed the American people
are unsurpassed-but in art, whether in the
branch of painting, sculpture. architecture or
fine lines OF hand work. America is still very
far behind the most civilized of European
countries. We are also behind them in lItera-
turs. one of the verv best evidences of which
has been the extent to which the conventional
school of New England writers have been ex-
allied.
1t is not surprising that when New York
or Chicago millionaire desires to complete the
adornment of his house be should visit the
studios Of London and the continent. for il
is in these studios only that he can find
the best specimens of contemporary painting
and sculpture. How many statues and pic
lures Of American manufacture are there in
the public galleries of Europe? We doubt
whether there is one. The bust Of Longfel-
low, which was placed in Westminster Abbey
by American subscriptions. was from a for
eign artist. and so was the fountain erected
at the expense of Dir. Childs at Stratford-on-
Avon.
In all matters Of art America bows in COM
plete submission at the feet Of Europe. and
the fact Is all the more discreditable 10 the
tstic talents o. her cons when the fact is
recalled that the principal patrons Of foreign
artists are Americans of fortune. who in the
great majority of instances would DC inAu-
enced to make their purchases in the home
market If our artists were equal in merit h
those Of England, France, Italy and Ger
many.
There is something in the atmosphere of a
modern republic like ours which is unfavora-
bic 10 the highest development Of art in all
its forms, aud the reason Of this is probably
TO be found in tho absence of that distinction
in the general life of America which made
such a profound impression on so acute an
observer as Mathew Arnold. Americans are
too bent, as a mass. upon gross material ends
TO cultivate very much the artistic sense. and
until the whole population of 4 country is
more or less leavened by artistic tastes there
Is little. if any. prospect that art in any of its
branches, whether literature, painting. sculp- |
ture, architecture or what not. vii! flourish
among them to any notable degree.