The morning call., 1892-08-22

The prospect now seems TO be that the
Searles mansion, which was donated to the
Art Association. viii not be returned TO its
owner as at one time there seemed to be
reason to fear that it would. The Art AS
ISOLATION very naturally refused TO accept
gilt which would have involved If in an
annual expense of $4,000 for taxes and
other necessary OUTLAWS, ard tile proposition
that twenty-five or fifty gentlemen should
be found TO contribute this sum yearly was
soon abandoned, as every one saw that it
must be. Under the consolidation act the
city could not accept the building and use
it for the purpose designed without legisla-
ton, which might or might not have been
obtained at Sacramento. The only other
alternative was to transfer the donation to
the University, and this plan appears to be
likely 10 solve the problem. The University
can accept the building rs it accepted the
Lick Observatory; team appropriate money
TO support school of art, as it appropri-
ates money TO sustain school OF astronomy.
1t is not easily seen on what grounds the
regents could decline the offer.
Art is surely entitled to as much eneour-
agement as science. If it is within the
province OF a university to detail squad of
professors to observe the skies for the edu-
cation of students of astronomy it will not
be going outside its province if 1t employs
some Of the spare talent in the faculty in
teaching the arts Of painting and sculpture.
The latter are indeed more conducive to
civilization than the lofty science which
teaches the laws OF the universe, for in the
latter ne one can get beyond barren rudi-
ments without deyoting life to the study,
while the contemplation Of art enlarges the
mind and refines the taste from the first
elementary lesson of the pupil to the latest
triumph of the master. All high education
eliminates in art as the supreme expression
of the human intellect.
But when the regents have signified their
acceptance of the Searles mansion and 1t has
been duly consecrated 70 the pursuit OF art,
il will be discovered that only the FIRST step
has been taken toward the accomplishment
OF the object in view. The Art Association
has already got rooms where art classes
meet and copy models under the eye of
teacher. 1t viii not gain much by transfer
ring its local habitation from those rooms to
the mansion on Mob Hill, unless il finds
there something which it cannot find in its
present quarters. The bare building is
nothing. To be of use TO art it must con-
tain examples Of art, which students can copy
and contemplate With an honest purpose of
emulation. Unless the SearleS memorial is
to contain paintings and statues, such as
art students cannot now get at, its CONVEX
sion into an art temple will be a compare
lively barren performance that may crafty
local pride and promote cur love for osten-
taiion. but it can never be Of much use to
art itself. 1t will be like gorgeous bind
ing for book which is not TO be opened.
Bow the required examples Of modern art
are to be procured is rather for the associa-
ton than for the newspapers to say. 1t is a
subject which ought to be engaging their
attention about these days. There are in
this city some good pictures-perhaps a
dozen or so. And there are a great many
pictures which. without being Of the first
order. are well worth study and from which
the aspirant for artistic fame might learn
much. There are also few fair examples
of sculpture. These are owned by private
individuals, who have adorned their houses
with them. Could they be induced to lend
these works Of arts for few weeks each
year for the education of arr students? If
they could nucleus of a museum would be
created. But for the bulk Of the works
which shonld be housed in the new art
building it viii be necessary to rely on pur-
chases in the studios
could be bought would depend On the gen.
crosby Of. our rich men. a little money
would 60 long way toward stocking gal
lery. Fifty thousand dollars would buy
good many admirable works by Keith, Hill,
Tojetti and others whose names are identi-
fed with art on this coast. For $500 q
choice painting can be bought at every
salon In Paris, and at every exhibition in
New I ork thousand dollars Will often Sc
cure canvas that will compare fairly with
the average works in foreign galleries. Il
Is not always masterpieces which are the
best works for the student to copy; at the
Louvre and in the Italian galleries works
of less fame are sometimes better edu-
Gators. The object should be to gather ex-
amDles of the best masters of each school.
For sum which our millionaires ought to
be willing to contribute for the foundation
Of an art gallery on the coast a collection
could be made which would insure, sooner
or later, the birth OF a Californian school of
art. The question is whether these rich
men will awaken TO the opportunity.