The San Francisco call., 1896-01-01

copy of this kind could not be target for
your criticism, which deems It mira dig "to
appropriate other peoples ideas, ~ for it will
always be looked upon as the Rietschel monu-
ment Though this monument is fifty years
old, that does not detract from 1t unless we
place art on q level with mechanical Yoca-
tons, which, as may pe conceded, are expected
to progress from time TO time. But even our
! tin de steele culture does not dare, in matters
OF art and literature, to deny the superiority of
former centuries
If individuality were under all circum-
stances OF greater merit than q copy it
would involve a preference for that 'tgawEy
extravaganza" standing III front of Lincoln
school, intended to represent our immortal
martyr President, to copy OF one OF the sub
limest works OF Grecian or Roman sculpture
We have, doubtless, domestic artists compe
tent TO make good statue, especially if ample
1unds are placed at their disposal. Their work
will have the distinction to e "origina" " and to
be expressive of the spirit, the arl-culture and
resources OF California. 1t is a peculiar fact,
however, that here in San Francisco we often
come across original works of art which nave
been made in foreign countries, from foreign
material and by foreign artists.
There may be Weighty reasons for this, but
the layman is justified in being skeptical and
III drawing the inference that certain classes of
art creations here are not as well developed as
In older centers of art, otherwise our domestic
artists would not be compelled to go abroad
Tor the purpose OF either beginning their work
there or putting the finishing touches upon it,
The higher conception OF art makes it inter-
national and universal. We may stand by our
liOlle luQuSltlSS anu purchase none Dul nome
made shoes and brooms, but art and literature
occupy a higher level. This remark l make
because have not been able to shake off a feel
ing OF indignation, which came over me on
reading article contributed by one of our
local artists to one of our dailies, few weeks
ago, wherein he makes the attempt to lower
art TO the level of Grades union" and manu-
tacturers' association.
/ need not assure you that this controversy
will not be influenced by prejudice or personal
feeling on my part; the unpleasant feature in
this matter has -hpeO called fort n Inv
but by certain influences emanatlng from out
slders. Your serious endeayor to promote
California art and culture deserve recognition
and encouragement. have given you here
with my views according TO my best lights ana
under pressure of a certain responsibility, by
reason of the position which l occupy IN this
matter. l am all the more unwilling to con-
tinue this controversy, because existing cir
cumstanceS oppose speedy consummatlon OF
our project. CHARLES BUNDscHU.
Mr.. Phelan in answering Mr.. Bundschu's s
lengthy epistle stuck to his original opin-
ion, that it was bestto stay at home and
named Mr.: Douglass Tilden as capable
sculptor with whom Mr.. BunGschu could
confer regarding the cost and immensity
of the group:
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. "a, 1895.
Mr. Charles BU1tdschu-DEAR SIR: Your es-
teemed favor of December % received, for
which accept my thanks 1fully understand
and appreciate your position in this matter.
and will consider this brief acknowledgement
of your letter as final termination OF this
discussion. So Tar as the Art Association is
concerned l have undertaken this discussion
of this question less reluctantly because con-
slider that the subject-matter involved Is not at
all private undertaking. The money for this
undertaking was raised by means OF public
festival, and the proposed statue is intended
for public park.
considered it one of the duties of the Art
Association 10 interest itself in art matters
generally and particularly in the exhibition
of works of art in public places. My brief ar
gument was made mainly from an artistic
point OF view, as you have seen, and as you
view this matter in u different light, that Is 10
Say, you intend merely TO honor the poets in
your own way, therefore 1t would be dlfhcult
for TO enter upon common ground without
going into lurther details, iaclt Sc herewith
an article which have written for the Christ
mas News Letter, which briefly treats OF the
matter in question. quite agree with you
that art knows no age or country and would
consider it narrow-minded and bigoted TO eN-
clude any work OF art from pubic park on
the ground thatltiS the WORK OF foreign artist.
The Art Association gladly welcomes the
work OF q foreign master ii ii were 10 order
the creation OF a work OF art, it would on
merely patriotic grounds give the preference
to competent american artist, for there are
American artists VINO are fully as capable as
those OF any other country: Our objection to
the Riejschei monument is not directed
against the work of art, but to the proposition
that the acceptance OF ii duplicate OF IL would
bellttle and deny ouf claim 10 artistic skill,
ana we assert that copy OF such is WDr h less
You call ii replica. i beg to call your atten-
tion 10 the fact that replica is reproduction
l:by the artist VINO created the original /
am informed, however, that your intentions
are to have merely copy made by mechani-
cal process without the aid OF The Original
master. Arepica is: therefore less objection
able than copy. =: ~. '- -. .'''-.
/ i have UNIV ittingly entered upon thedscus-
sion OF this question again, whrch. IS not my
| Intention, and. which. j had no desire 10 do
unless ycu should So desire it, agree with
you that an original work OF art isnot deslr-
able unless tits really worthy. Had / not be-
heved that American art would be able to
create worthy monument for those great men
l would not have lntefceded ithyouCc0mmlt-
! tee for an original WORK fart; =.
Permit me 10 refer your committee to Mr.:
Douglas Tiiden, professor OF sculpture Art
Association, Mark Hopkins Art Institute. he
Will be able to give al. details IN regard 10 the
cost OF q heroic group. -
T. have not spoken 10. him about it, but have
great faith in his ability to DO greatwork. r..
.......--..:.: -: JAS. ID. PHELAN.,
President Bundschu's reply Indicated
that personally he. had formed a better
opinion of the Art Association sway OF
thinking and incidentally had something
TO say about local art atrocitles. Herewith
is Mr.. Bundschu's last letter: . :.
| SAN Francisco, December %, 1895.