The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-06

keen eyes, the bushy hair, are alike
picture after almost 400 years, is ex-
traordinary.
Cleveland Leader: OF all the effects
of prosperity reported from the great
centers of trade and population, moth
ing more curious has been noted than
the extraordinary sale of rather poor
paintings at this years exhibition Of
the Royal Academy. London never
knew sales to be so numerous or prices
SO liberal, and yet the average quality
of the pictures was below the usual
level. Artists have often complained
with exceeding bitterness, that the
public had plenty of money to buy
pictures with, but simply would not
spend it in that way. The world has
been accused of brutal indifference TO
the claims of art. The painters have
refused to give people who do not buy
their work credit for desires far out
reaching their means. The news from
London indicates that this point of
view is largely unjust. 1t is not mere
by a question of money, of course. that
prevents freer sale of paintings. Taste
is lacking, in many cases. In others
the trouble is that the pictures are Of
little real value. A surprisingly small
number of artists put deep thought
and hard study into anything more
than the technical part of their work.
Often it is wanting, even there. Paint
ings with poetry, Imagination, feeling,
and mental power we'll expressed are
rare, anywhere. They usually sell
without undue difficulty or delay. The
news from London indicates that in the
desire of persons of wealth to obtain
works of art, a good many have to
be more or less content with paintings
which poorly reward their liberality.
But most of all, the restriction on the
sale of pictures is a matter of money.
If the average family were able to go
much beyond the limits of necessity in
the purchase of things admired and
desired, artists Of any merit would
all have plenty to do. They would be
sure of comfort if not luxury.
Philadelphia, is to have from Septem-
Der 14th until November Both a Ma
tional Export Exhibition, wherein
American manufactures are to maks
their ware irresistibly attractive. The
National Congress. the State of Penn.
sylvania the city of Philadelphia, in
dividuals having at heart the advan-
tages of the mass. are inspiring details
of the exhibition ardently.
The grounds are on the west bank of
the Schuylkill River ten minutes by
street cars from the City Hall. The
buildings are five-three permanent,
two temporary. In one are to be dis
played agricultural implements and
household furniture. In another are to
be locomotives and cars. In these two
buildings visitors will find at once the
works Of Americans that are unexcelled
in the opinion of the world. In the
other buildings they will have the
charm of making comparisons and of
judging for themselves. The prospec-
tus says: while the exposition, has in
view a most practical purpose, there
was not, in the planning of the build
ings, any idea of subordinating the
beautiful and the artistic to the practi
cal end. On the contrary, the orna-
mentation and decoration of the struc-
lures will delight the eye and appeal to
the innate love of art and beauty which
every person possesses"
There are columns. friezes, panels
and screens made of plaster and papier
mache; there are palatial entrances in
the subt1est harmony, of lines and col
ors, amazing sculpture. A large quad
riga, at the main entrance, represents
''PrOPreSS' in chariot drawn by four