New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-29
THE CHRONICLE OF ARTS.
EXHIBITIONS AND OTHER TOPICS

THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY AT
WASHINGTON - THE PROGRAMME
FOR THE NEXT COMPETITION OF
THE ARCHITECTURAL LEAGUE.
The local galleries are not very delectapie NJ
the present moment We are PROMISED. soihe
pictures Of interest and some other artistic Cd
jects in the exhibition and sale of Mr.. chase
collection but the only large collection OF Amer
lean paintings on view at this time Is an ex-
tremely poor one The Autumn Academy Is one
of the least satisfactory shows that We can
remember in the series to which IT belongs
1t is probable. however that the artistic hori-
zon will soon brighten The holiday time -
always unfavorable to the Introduction or I'M
portant collections; they are saved as q RUE Tor
the opening OF the new year. and II IL expected
that the regular displays Of the season; when
offer genuine pleasure, will soon be brought
before the public.
In the mean time. failing good exhibition
at own Academy. the amateur eager 10 see
American pictures Of value might proitaoy
visit the Academy of Fine Arts In Philadelphia.
An admirable collection has been hung upon the
walls of that institution. Our painters were
given an uncommon stimulus to do their best
for the occasion. The Elkins prize of $1,000 is
awarded in Philadelphia for the first time this
year and from far and near competitors have
gathered, with their eyes fixed on this delightful
object of artistic rivalry. The conditions Of the
contest have already been stated In this
place. They are without flaw. The most
exactng Of painters might enter the lists
and feel contentment In everything with
which he had been asked to reckon. AT
the present writing the decision of the jury
has not been announced. but 1t will be known
within few days. 1t is withheld now for an
excellent reason, the Academy desiring that
the public should form its own opinion
as to the merits of the various works produced
This is an idea which might well be adopted In
New-York, where 1t is customary for the prize
winners to be announced even before the pub
lie has been admitted to the galleries. This
often imposes upon people who know little Of
the matter some painting to admire which Is
utterly unworthy their regard. Everybody
knows that the awarding Of prize is often a
fearful and wonderful operation, proceeding
along lines forever mysterious to all but those
who have been privileged to look behind the
scenes from time to time. And such plan as
that pursued by the Philadelphia Academy
might be useful a corrective to Juries be-
sides giving the public chance TO exercise It's
own taste In the present instance II Is plain
that neither jury public will find 1t easy to
come to a decision. The first man In the cata-
logue is no less parsonage than Mr.. John w.
Alexander a painter whose art has grown inn
mensely within the last few years, and he sends
some twenty-four studies in portraiture. Ihose
who remember Mr.. Aexanders few PORTRAITS
lately shown In New-York and the charm or
originality and skill they exerted may imagine
what this gathering Of two dozen canvases
means to the Philadelphia exhibition. There Is
much other interesting portraiture from MISS
Beaux Mr. Tarbell Mr.. Isham, Mr.. Brush ana
Mr. Sargent (the latter sending his astounding
full length of Miss Rehan), and men like Alex
ander Harrison. Alden Weir w. l.: Dodge C. "A;
Platt Theodore Robinson, Frank Duveneck ana
w L. Pcknell all represented. Phladel-
phians are congratulatng themselves. and we
may join them in their expressions or satsfac-
ton After all. a good exhibition Is gooo
exhibition whether it be held In this city or
PHILADELPHIA and while may regret our own
deficiencies at this time we can delight IN the
good fortune of a neighboring city. For as
lovers of good exhibitions may be reminded,
Philadelphia is not very far away.
1t is but step from Philadelphia to Washing
ton. II the distance were further there would
still be excuse for passing at this time directly
from the one city to the other washington
offers no exhibition just now, but II Is gradually
becoming known that within stones throw OF
the Capitol there Is being erected an edilce
which will be when completed a huge museum
~ pictoriaI and plastic art, though not pretend
ing to be anything but repository for DOCKS
rh,s &c the new Congressional Library. build
inc of which the foundations were laid 80 far
back as 1885, which has been in the hands Oh
the contractors ever since. and VINCE Is yet 50
,os, that II will not be completed for another
war OF all the matters attending its erection
u Ia not intended to speak at this time. But its
decorative features may well arrest attention
The architect in charge Mr.. Edward +. Casey
was given a free hand some time ago in the Sc
lection of painters and sculptors to be employed
in embellishing the library. He approached the
matter in exactly the same spirit that mas
marked the development OF the MunlciPai Az
Societvs work in this city. He saw tnat III
Government work it Is no longer possloie 70
cling to Government standards, II we are ever
To arrive at any merit in our publlc puiuihss'
and he entered into contracts with the best men
he could find The great work of decorating the Ii
brary has all been parceled out 10 the sculptors
and painters selected: many, II not all Oh them
are now at work some of their productions are
already completed. and the future OF the DIE
building is definitely known. 1t VIII be from top
to bottom a brilliant piece or work soou III 10
architecture, good In its mural decoration soou
in AN its applied and independent sculpture
good above all, in its combination OF arcilteS
ture painting and sculpture under one stahu-
ard Of artistic vitality and excellence Inc NAMES
- snr,e ~ Mr. Casev's aids will give a sugges-
ton of what the great building VIII contain "neh
finished Among the sculptors are Messis' Au-
gustus and Louis st. Gaudens Onn l.. =" a.H w
Eredarick Nacmonnes Daniel c. French. f. W.
Ruckstuhl. J. O. A. Ward. Herbert Adams, j.
Scott Hartley and Philip Martiny' Arnons 'ue
painters are Messrs. Elihu Nedder, EDWIN H.
Riashdeld, Abbott II. Thayer, Kenyon Cox. W.
/. Dodge. George W. Maynard, j. W. Alexander
Edward h. Simmons. H. o. Walker ana nan q, d
dozen others There have been employees, III
hriaf for the identifying OF this building
a considerable number of the most or'gl-
nal and competent artists we possess. IL
would be remarkable to find them WORKING To-
gethar upon any private building. In the case
of a public edihce the situation is little less
than extraordinary. 1t marks one step more IN
that noble upward march to wnich reiersnce
w. made I'm this column only the other day,
when the Municipal Art Society presenter ID the
city that decoration which it had commission "a
Mr. Simmons to paint for room IN the oriili,
inaI Courts Building IT is the marcn TOWARD
national recttude in matters OF art There Is
a morality for our public administrators TO op-
serve quite much in matters OF PUBIC trt as