New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-05

tons OF Grant and Lincoln, when his opinion on
the subject sought.
The plain truth is he sad. that these
things are obtrusive. They will spoil the SYM
metry and perfection of the arch when it is nm
ished with the bronZes that are being designed
for it. They will be utterly out OF harmony
with the work OF MacMOnnies, which VIII be or
the very best character. In a matter OF this
kind there should be the product of a single mind
otherwise inharmony Is sure to result know
very little about the men responsible for this
work but II is evident that they do not measure
up to the requirements of the situation. nope
and feel sure that the people OF Brooklyn VIII
back up Park Commissioner Squier heartily in
any effort which he makes to get rid OF these
things. and | shall be glad 70 do all In my power
to aid him. What to do with them do not know,
but | am sure that even If the city has paid
round price for them it would be far wiser TO
melt them up than to keep them where they are
f. r. KENNEDY OF THE SAME OPINION.
Ex-Park Commissioner Elijah r. Kennedy was
equally emphatic in condemnng the ODonovan-
Eakins- Power productions. 1T is too bad" he
declared that Brooklyn should be subjected to
the humiliation Of showing such works to the
world side by side II were. with those OF Mac
Monniess Nothing II the kind is needed In that
part of the arch. anyway. and these things are
utterly bad They are not correct pOrtraitures.
for one thing, and. If allowed to stay where they
are. will convey to future generations an utterly
inadequate idea of what Lincoln and Grant were
like. The horse which Grant Is placed IL a
miserable creature, such a beast as the General
would never have taken a second look al. Inc
idea of placing General Grant. who was a good
judge Of hOrsefiesh. on a kneesprung animal Hike
that. Then. too. Lincoln is q travesty or the
man himself. When making a speech. or re-
viewing troops. greeting large numbers of peo-
pie reception he lost the appearance or lanki-
and unga:nliness which was characteristic
of him at times his eye and face lighted up and
his whole person took on an appearance OF vlgor
and animal ton. In this sculpture he has his hat
in his hand and Is supposed To be reviewing an
army: yet nothing Of his actual appearance under
such circumstances is depicted. | am glad The
Tribune is taking this subject up. and hope that
the movement To have these bronzes taken away
will be successful. | have heard a large number
of people speak about them. and only one opinion
was expressed They are not proper works OF art
for such a place, and the city cannot afford TO
keep them
FORMAL ACTION BY REPRESENTATIVE
BODIES.
IT has been suggested that formal action in con-
domination Of the tablets should be taken by such
representative bodies az the Rembrandt Club,
which is composed Of a hundred we-known cit
zens Interested In art and by the Department OF
Fine Arts of the Brooklyn Institute: and 1t is not
unlikely that the matter Will be brought To their
attention Immediately. The Rembrandt Club has
its monthly meeting early this week. While bust
Of this kind is not usually brought before
these meetings IL is understood that the Execu-
tive Committee will consider the need Of early
ton In reference To the art sculptures. and may
advise the passage of n resolution Of the club as
soon possible.
Carl II. De Silver, OF No 4 Pierrepont-st. is
the president of the Rembrandt Club. He said.
when spoken to N the subject that he had only
the panels casually and incidentally. al
though he had heard number Of his friends
whose opinions he valued pronounce them wholly
unfit for the prominent places they occupy. He
added that he would take an early opportunity 10
examine then. with care go that he might be able
10 speak and act intelligcntly on the matter
prominent member ~ the Institutes Depart
ment Of Fine Arts expressed his willingness 70
bring the subject before his associates and said
that he would urge immediate action that would
Justify the Park Commissioner in removing the
bronzes without ceremony.