The evening times., 1899-11-15

through which they have to pass After
the original paintings have been photo
graphed. for which purpose special cameras
have been built and negative plates Of par
ticular sensitiveness are prepared the pho
tographic productions are transferred to
steel plates. the surfaces of which. by some
peculiar treatment, have been prepared 10
receive the impressions from the mega
tives.
"The outline work is thus obtained from
the steel with an eXactitude and clearneSs
never before known. In the mean time the
colors, as true to the original painting in
the distribution of light and shade as ma
nipulation Of the brushes of eminent artists
can make them. have been reproduced on
the Photographic copy first obtained. and
the complex color tableau' thus created is
transferred to as many lithographic stones
as there are colors represented in the pic
ture, from which impressions are taken on
presses worked by hand, as it has been
found that presses worked by machinery
cannot Go the work with the minutepess
and cleanliness necessary to effect perfect
reproductions.
THE methods employed by the society
for the distribution of its productions
among the educational and religious insti-
tutions of the country and the people at
large are somewhat unique.
1T obtained at the start list of patrons
who. in consideration Of certain annual con-
tributions, caused the society to distribute
a number of the works among the educa-
tional institutions OF the country. This list
of patrons gradually grew, headed by the
Emperor and Empress Of Germany. who are
followed by many of the members of other
royal and princely families in Europe. until
it has reached an aggregate membership of
more than $1,000.
These patrons gradually introduced the
society's productions into the homes of SUBJ
altern officers, teachers. civic employees, and
people in the humber walks of life, who,
however before becoming entitled to the
privilege Of receiving such art reproductions
had to sign the society's roll of member
ship and thus become active agents in the
missionary work of spreading culture in
art.
Keeping its educational tendencies con-
tinually in mind, the society has always
exercised the greatest care in the choice
Of subjects for reproduction. 1t has made
selections from the great classical and
modern religious painters, Rafael, Murillo,
Guido Reni, and Paolo Veronese being
among the former. and Hoffman,. Plock-
horst, Gerhardt. and others among the lat
ter. 1t has also endeavored to foster the
love Of home and country by giving repro
ductions from famous masters which rep
resent scenes from history, and it will ad-
here to like policy in the conduct of its
American branch. Each year number of
subjects from the history of the United
States. these subjects to be chosen by an
American advisory board. will be selected
for reproduction, the originals to be paint
ed by American artists. Ueutze's famous
canvas, Washington Crossing the Della
ware" is already on the stocks in the So
ciety'S atelierS to open the American se-
ries) These American historical paintings
will be placed on exhibition both in the
United States and in Europe, and gold
medals will be awarded by the society to
those American artists whose works are
chosen for reproduction. American land
scapes and marine views will also be in
cluded in this line, and it is proposed, in
time, to erect suitable building in one of
the principal cities Of the Union, which is
to serve the purposes Of an artistic work.
shop for the American branch Of the So
cietc."