The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
PAsTELs NOT RECOGNIZED.
COMPLAINT THAT HANGING COMMITTEES ARE
NOT DIsCRDIINATIYE.

NOT DIsCRDIINATIyE.
SAN FRANCISCO. Sept. 26, 1895.
To the Editor Of the San Francisco CGtL-SIR:
In THE CALL of September 20 is published the
list of awards to artists who had exhibits in
the art gallery at the Mechanics Institute.
AS an admirer of art and well-wisher of all
who are making of art life work take the
liberty OF calling attention to discrepancies, so
seeming to me, in the manner in which the
works of our artists have been exhibited, and
the only inference is that in placing and hang
ing the persons or committees in charge
showed ignorance or intention.
In the last exhibit at the Hopkins Art Insti-
tute this was apparent. and was duplicated at
the Mechanics Fair. In the classification the
directory Tor, if referred to q committee, the
committee) failed to properly classify.
Oil colors ought certainly to be considered
distinct from water colors and water colors as
certainly distinct from pastel; and yet in the
classification pastel work was classed as water
colors. If the classification was made by
committee of artists. then the inference would
be that there were reasons why pastel work
should be called 'wAter colors," showing a
disposition to crowd out this form of work here
on the Pacific Coast as an innovation and not
give 1t legitimate recognition.
1t may be true that little is known of pastel
work here, although as duly recognized IN our
Eastern cities as are the works OF our great
masters in the Louvre in Paris
In the awards as published will be found,
under the head of water colors, ''No. 101, "A
Native Daughter; artist, Lillian Coudlin."
An award is made under that classification
when it is patent to every artist who saw the
picture that twas not water color but pure
pastel.
In the classification Nos las and 146 will be
found under the same heading OF water colors
PORTRAIT lin pasteD," and the "in pastel"
being in parenthesis, and these are the only
refSfences tof<dss yE4Ffote9 e work. firfr-
tended to treht pastel work sss4sn Innovation
Lere in San Francisco there must be reasons
why, and when known will not be regarded
as creditable to the authors or abet.ors.
2 In all of our promin snt Eastern cities pastel
work is as duly recognized and appreciated as
that of any other character of art work. From
local causes, the recognition may be tardy
here in the ''wild West" but is sure to follow
Permit me to quote the old adage, Fair PLAY
is jewel" as the rule by which all contests
and works of our artists shall be classified and
judged.
And while referring to this subject, may be
permitted to suggest to THE CALL that an
especial column be set apart as 1.-THE Art Col
umn," and that the artists in San Francisco
and the Pacific Coast be invited to see
that the Fart column" is well filled-
at least in every Sunday issue. In
many OF our Eeastern cities the
leading papers have art columns, and no part
OF such papers have greater attraction than the
art column. What we want is cooperation
and fraternal feeling and not jealousy and dis
cord among our artists. We have as good
talent here in California as in any of our
sister States and are not afraid or ashamed to
compare notes. INSTITUTE.