Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-12
PHOTOGRAPHIC ART
Collections Soon to Be Displayed in
the Museum.
TO SHOW TEE PROGRESS MADE
From the Time of the First Exper-
iments of Daguere.
THE WASHINGTON SALON

At a recent meeting Of the Camera Club
of the c. Bi. c. it was voted to hold an
art Photographic exhibition next year un-
der the title 1.-The National Photographic
Salon of 1897
A circumstance worthy Of note in connec-
ton with the recent exhibition held at the
Cosmos Club, and which has already been
mentioned in these columns, is that fifty
pictures there exhibited were selected for
purchase by the United States Natioral
Museum. 1t Is now the intention Ct DR..
Goode to have this unique collection hung
in the National Museum as early as ex-
pedient, in order that 1t may be seen.
The fifty pictures, however form a part
of a collection illustrating the history and
methods of the art of photography which
has been in process of formation for a
number of years under the direction of Mr..
T. w. Smillie.
DIR. Goode states that this collection has
not yet been exposed to public view, owing
to lack of room in the present building,
but that it already contains many note
worthy objects. and when arranged for ex
hibttion will show the history Of photog-
raphy from Its beginning and contempt
rary illustrations of most Of the note
worthy advances in the art and works of
the greatest photographers Of the world.
1t begins with examples Of the process of
Wedgewood engraving, shows specimens
of the work Of Niepce and original daguer-
reotype of Daguerre by Need Brothers of
New York 1t may be remarked that the
collection still greatly needs specimens of
work of Daguerre and his early disciples.
There is an excellent collection of early
daguerreotypes and ambrotypes, some of
them of remarkable clearness and beauty,
including a view of the harboc of San
Francisco in 1852, showing the dismantled
fleet of the argonauts, a remarkable piece
by Shew Of California. There Is also a
unique series Of daguerreotypes for the
stereoscope. Next comes an example of
the talbotype, taken by Fox Talbot, the
inventor of the process.
The PrOgress of Photographs.
The Introduction OF photography into this
country is illustrated by specimens Of the
little oval silver prints. first used about
1850, upon visiting cards. whence the name
carte de visite took its name, and from
this time on examples of portrait and
landscape work by many celebrated pho
tographers, showing the general progress
of the art, including the magnificent large
photographs made by the photographers
of the early geological surveys.
Comparatively little has been done to
Illustrate the work of the last ten years.
and an effort is now being made to complete
the series so that 1t will be worthy rep
resentation of the progress of the art from
the beginning until now. The collection
has not kept pace with the recent progress
of the art movement in photography and
the acquisition of the prints from the
Washington salon and art Photographic
exhibition Of 1896 is intended to supply in
part this lack. 1t Is unnecessary to ell
large upon the Importance which such a
collection as this must be to every photog-
rapher; a collection in which he may see
side by side. the best works from wear to
he ~ lick q
time upon the permarence Of paper and
processes. The collection of the works of
representative photographers is, of course,
Incomplete; this, 1t should be understood
is due only to the fact that there has not
been opportunity to secure an example of
their works. 1t is the purpose of the mu-
scum to be absolutely impartial, and to
allow fair representation in its collections
to every person whose work Is of merit.
Besides the comparatively limited collec-
ton which will be exhibited to the public.
winch or necessity can include only one
or two pictures Of kind, there is a large
study and reference collection kept in
drawers. protected from light and damp
ness which is OF even more Importance to
STUDENTS OF the art than the collections to
be shown In the exhibition hall.
The pictures bought by the museum from
the exhibition of 1896 were chosen with
the idea that they should represent as fully
as possible the different schools of pho
Biography In America at the present time
and the work of as many as possible of the
most Characteristic and representative ART
lists The fact is fully recognized that the
developments of these schools Is sought in
amateur photography rather than among
professional photographers, whose work is
or necessity more conventional in its char
acter and affords less opportunity for orig
1nality and progress. The fact was also
recognized that several professional pho
tographers were represented in this exhi-
bition, and characteristic specimens of this
work were also secured
To Make More Purchaser.
DIR. Goode has signified his intention to
secure for the National Museum collection
some Of the best pictures from the exhibit
ton to be held next year, and has ad-
dressed a letter to Mr.. Dodge, the chairman
OF the exhibition committee of 1896, which
Is as follows:
Il am very much gratified to learn that
1t has been decided to hold a second ex-
hibition OF art photography in this CITY, I'M
der the name of the National Photographic
Salon of 1897. The exhibition of 1896 must
be regarded as the most impressive exhibi-
ton ever held in this country. It has dem
onstre ted the right of photography to a
place among the fine arts, and was sug-
gestive of possibilities in the future which
are by no means generally apprecia ted
Such exhibitions are useful, not only to
the photographers themselves, but to all
those who have occasion to avail them
selves Of the possibilities Of photography in
the decorative and graphic arts in the IL
lustration OF books and in the sciences. 1
am DESTROYS of utilizing the coming exhi-
bition for the purpose of extending the
Photographic collection in the National
Museum, and therefore authorize you to
announce that plumber of the best photo
graphs there exhibited will be purchased. 7"