New-York tribune., 1900-10-28
AMERICAN ART AT BUFFALO.

In the announcements which have hitherto
been made touching the Pan-American Exposi-
ton of 1901, to be opened at Buffalo next sum
mer, it has been stated that the art galleries
would be filed with works of European as
we'll as of American origin. This has naturally
caused some rather dubious speculation. If
the collection is TO be really "Pan-American,"
why make it also European? This is the ques-
ton that quickly presented itself TO those in
terested in the peculiarly National significance
of the enterprise. Wiser counsels have pre-
vailed, however, and it is now settled that the
art exhibition will be devoted exclusively to
the productions of Americans living in this
country, in Europe, or recently deceased. The
managers are to be congratulated. The space
will be ample. In the three divisions assigned
respectively to painting. sculpture and arch-
lecture, with a fourth dedicated to drawings,
etchings engravings and other works in black
and white 1t ought TO be possible to arrange
representation of American art more satisfac-
tory than that at Chicago seven years ago, or
than that at Paris this year. The work could
be more effectively displayed, and it would be
free from the distracting proximity of the art
of other schools. For purposes of comparison
the presence of many schools is healthful and
generally desirable. But American art can
stduu Ou It's OHH IOuLudIiOus anu IL VIII be cA-
tremely interesting to see it adequately illus
trated in gallery all its own.
It Is intended that the exhibition shall illus
trate our art from 1876 to the present time
Possibly there will also be a retrospective col
lection, comprising works by Gilbert Stuart and
other painters of earlier history. This latter
feature would be admirable, especially if pains
were taken to exclude all but the best ex-
amples A small room with ten or twelve first
rate pictures would be far more impressive
than a collection of three or four times the size
in which many canvases would pretty certainly
have little beyond their age to recommend
them. Our "Old Masters" were not all giants
But the main point will be to show modern
American art, at full length and at its best. 1t
is proposed to borrow freely from collectors
and their generous cooperation may surely be
counted upon. 1t is to be hoped that the artists
too, will do their share toward making this ex-
hibition what 1t ought to be. The failure of an
artist to contribute to an exhibition is not al
ways to be construed as sign of Indifference
He may be without picture that he can send
he may be out of the country, or i'll, or other
wise incapacitated. There are times, too when
abstention is virtue. Better no picture at all
than a potboiler. But it is also true that if
artists wish to profit by great National ex-
hibtion they must work for it,
They must take a living interest in it. If
they have not picture in their own possession
that they can send. but can persuade IA pur-
chaser of their works to help them out they
must move heaven and earth to see that the
loan is made. How many exhibitions have suf-
fered from lazy or selfish absenteeism the care
full observer does not need to be reminded
And, above all, when a scheme like this one at
Buffalo is on the carpet, artists should avoid
the deplorable pettness and jealOusies which
wreck so many exhibitions. Artistic iuries are
proverbially born to trouble. as the sparks fly
upward, but half their misery would be spared
them IL individuals would learn 10 curb their
vanity and work a little less for their own in
terests and more for the success of The exhibit
ton as n whole. The man who imagines that
his own picture must be hung In IA particular
spot though everything else goes by the board
is an imperishable type, but if he is as seems
not improbable, human, he may still learn wis
dom, not to say altruism. The show at Buff
falo offers rare opportunity. 1t can be made
brilliant or wearisome; it can represent great
mass of work judiciOusly sifted and hung, or it
can be an indiscrminate gathering, q hodge
podge of works good, bad and Indifferent all
arranged to please everybody but the public
The Director of Fine Arts is Mr.. William A
Coffin. himself a we'll known artist. and man
experienced in the organization of exhibitions
II his hands upheld by artists and col
lectOrs throughout the country, If jurors and ex-
hbtors will work with enthusiasm together
sinking all emotions one of disin-erested
devotion to the welfare of the work In hand
the artistic wing of the Pan-American Exposi-
tion will mark an epoch.
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Football is as uncertain as politIcs-a good
deal more uncertain. in fact than this years