New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-26
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
WHERE TO LEARN AMERICAN ART.

IL ~ ls-hA
NJ BAYNES WOULD HAVE II YOUTH TRAINED
WHERE THEY WILL HAVE AMERICAN IDEAS
TO the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Ny attention has been directed to a move
mcnt now on foot for aiding American art studen's. IL
Is not my desire to write a single word caicuI1ueo ~
interfere with the commendable intentions OF the
Gentlemen who have originated the movement, but l
do desire to point ont the absolute inadequacy OF the
scheme $50 far a. yet outlined to meet even par'iahS
the needs Of American art students. In The Tribune
there was an article Of something more thah a column
length under the caption " Mr.. Chambers Art scheme
In this article Mr.. Chandler is quoted as saying that
Sc the object Of the art scheme is to raise money enough
TO send art students abroad to study painting ana
dccoratlnc.r lie SAYS further that "every dollar
nut into this thing will return 100 cents in the dement,
given TO local art With the $4,000 subscriDed III
| New York. five years from next september thlS CITY
will have an artist with the best Partisan teaching
| in painting. drawing and composition Thoroughly IN
touch with the latest views on art in Paris
Now I will leave all considerations which apply TO
naintNr TO those who are competent to deal with
| them, and Will confne myself to that part OF the
| scheme which applies TO "decorating,' for the reason
that this is my profession and that the exercise OF
il brings me in daily contact with AHeflcah-Dorh
| designers and art students. and furnishes opportunity
for understanding their needs ana possibly pohi'iis
out a remedy for them
First. a word concerning this Paris scheme. II
Il be desired that American decorative art shall be
a national art. the offspring Of suggestions native
10 American soil, is Paris the place in which 10 learn
IT. Are the sweet marvcls of Japanese art the
outcome Of instruction imported from Paris! Inc
hest designers who ever lived never saw or even
heard of Paris. The art which it should be the DuNl-
ness of the American art student TO become a master
OF should be inspired by love Of nature, by her
meaning and her teaching, by the forms ana colo:s
which she wears beneath his native skles-an arr
with the oior of fresh soil. Of wildiowers, OF the
pine forest and the prairie. Of the maple and the brave
old hickory tree. American national art is no;
taught in Paris, never will be-; and it never can be
taught there or anywhere else than in America.
The editor is aware that there is In this city an
institution known as the New York Institute Of Artist
Artisans. which Is under the management Of Mr
stimsou, aided by such thorough Americans as william
hamilton Gibson. The purpose of this Institution j
10 Instruct students in the fundamental prlh'
ciplc, of all good ait and to stimulate and
aid in the development OF American art III
particular: to develop individuality ana nome
taste. and to exclude " fads,' mannerisms and monke'
limitations, al foreign fancics. :. II. Ncdder. the Amer'
can pupil to whom thrcc medals were recently awarded
by the Bcaux Arts school in Paris. was a pupil Of Mr.
~timson's. as were also the two boys WHO won the hrs
ana second prizes for " illustrations at & recent pubic
contest in this city. A corporation In when ! am lhtcr
c,tcd. IA, i'm its employment several designers ~
native born Americans; three OF theSe pupHs ioh WI
Stim,on', school: and after "A varied experience VIII
designer, Of other nauonaltic,. We prefer them to any
other because they are more free from preludice'' mor
inventive and because they possess swecter fancles.
Mr.. Stm,on j. lighting for a principle and his hgh
has been and j, a hard uphill one. lie has beer
aided by some firms Interested in art industries an'
by other puhlic,plrhtcd citizen, Interested In America
art. Mr.. stimson ma, made many sacrifices and m
contributed from his own mean, 10 the extent OF III
.tttit- 10 .bn-n v,ln ar, Interested IN promoting III.
advancement Of American art, built upon a Naii0na
foundat!on Will come to the side OF this man, reIeP'
him from some Of h~ burdens. ana help MN 10 c;h
tend hi, facilities and increase his equipment u II
addition - TIL, a real art library could be eStaDil'lo'
and arrangements, mad, for the more frequent cam
Iitiou Of private collections Of works of art. and r.
some extension Of p"ilc museum scrvice-if. say, TN
c,rId he accomplished. mo,r service would be rcn
dcrcd TO the students 4 decorative art IN TIE tlty. o
New York than could De accomplished Nendlnl
4 few prize winner, 10 plli, or bY presenting ~ tiel
20 five years from next september a gentleman ~thof
Oughly IN touch with III Latest views on ART n IaFls'
JOHN BAYNES.
President ~ the Tracery and Mosaic Co.
COS West Thirty-slXth-st, Ncw-lorh, Feb. l., le3l