The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-06-14
NO DEARTH OF ART
The Future VIII Sec Us the Very
Creates Picture Makers.
Patriotism and sense-An Interview with
the President Of the Society Of
American Artists-Wlliam II.
Chase Looks Ahead.

lCoPYRIGHr, fSa41
Not so long ago q representative Of
this paper sought out the apartments
of r. II. Sergeant in London They
were in remote corner of the great
city, but their elegance atoned for their
obscurity. Mr.. Sargeant Is accredited
with being an American; to be sure, he
was born in London, but it was during
a visit Of his American parents to that
city, and since he has reached manhood
he has spent considerable portion of
his time in America. America has been
proud to claim him, for he is really one
of the greatest artists-he is quite the
greatest portrait painter-of the world.
Honors have been heaped upon him
here, and he was not long ago elected a
member of the Royal Academy in Lon.
don. This was regarded on this side of
the water as compliment to America
through an American, and we not only
congratulated Mr.. Sergeant heartily
and cordially, but we congratulated
ourselves When the reporter called
on him, however, it at once became ev.
ident that Mr.. Sergeant is not an
American. He spoke slightingly OF
America, and when asked to predict the
future of American art, he said with a
distinctly English drawl: American
art? All, is there such a thing as
American art?" 1t is needless to write
that after this the idea Of making Mr..
Sergeant the representative of Ameri.
can art in the series Of interviews with
great Americans was abandoned with
alacrity.
Another deserting American, also an
artist of great reputation and merit,
was asked by the London correspond
ent whom he thought it would be wise
to write Of in Mr.. Sargeant's place.
He shrugged his shoulders, looked
bored and announced that really he
didn't think of anybody. The back
sliding of Mr.. Sergeant and the sneer
OF Mr.. Whistler have not, however,
been considered sufficient reason for
dropping the idea of interviewing q
real American on real American art.
If the deserting American ever sees
this article he will be able in future to
think Of some one. In a country appre-
ciative enough to support and cherish
National Academy of Design, So
ciety Of American Artists, an American
Fine Arts society, an American Water
Color society, an American Institute Of
Architects, q Sculpture society, an Art
Students league scarcely second to
the Beaux Arts in Paris and art
museums Of magnificent proportions
and contents, it is scarcely likely that
there is a dearth Of men who have
thought much and are qualified to
talk intelligently about national art
prospects.
The president Of the Society of Amer
ican Artists is Mr.. William NJ Chase.
Mr.. Chase does not claim to be the
greatest living American artist, but he
does claim that there are many great
American artists living. His studios
are In barnlike structure on an OBJ
scure New York side street, but are
splendid in their furnishings and size.
There are three Of them, each big
enough to be a ballroom and high
enough to hold the proscenium Of the
average theater. They are hung with
fine tapestries, ON their floors are
splendid rugs, quaint furniture of great
artistic and money value stands every
where. and scores Of pictures-sOme Of
them his own, but most of them gifts
from brother artists-adorn the walls.
Mr.. Chase himself is man about five
feet and a half tall, with a pointed
beard slightly tinged with gray, and q
look in his face that indicates the pas
sage of not more than forty years. He
is simple and unaffected in manner,
although his portraits and landscapes
have won q worldwide reputation; he
is broad in his views and familiar with
things other than his art, and, best Of
all, he is rs patriotic as an aspiring
congressional candidate ss q back
woods Fourth Of July celebration, Mr..
Chase is prouder of being member o1
the Society of American Artists than he
is of his membership in the something
more than q dozen OF foreign societies
which have given him complimentary
elections.
Mr.. Sargeant's remark was fresh In
my mind when / met Mr.. Chase; so the
first question I asked him was: ''1s
there such a thing as American art,
Mr.. Chaser" He started back with sur
prise.
''It does not seem possible" he re-
piled. that any person after seeing or
reading about the display made by
American artists at the worlds fair
could possibly ask such a question. We
y1-ornd o,,- e@oo1;r1 thara fcy O II t;vDa
] viii not say that the best work at the
Columbian exposition was done by
Americans, for that would be ungrs-
cious, but I will say that Americans
showed themselves the equals of any
,,aluuers IN the world To questioh Our
national standing in art would be as
foolish as 70 question our national
standing in electrics We are not ask
ing for recognition; we were long ago
recognized. Americans have not been
admitted to all the important fine art so
cieties in the world as a matter Of couY>
tesy. Their work has been accepted
abroad cnly because 1t is as good as
any other work But American art
now, good as it is. Is only the begin
ming of tremendous outcome / am
convinced that we are 20 be the grand
hthers of what is 10 come fou and 1
to-day arc standing In the city that
will eventually be the greatest art CEN
ter in the world American artistic
are as good in quality as any
In the world, and they hare the advan-
tege ore- all others in ths: they are
e absolutely new American artists are