The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-17
THE WILSqACH PICTURES
An Excellent Collection Of Paint
ings in Fairmonnt Park.
Memories of the Centenninl-Thc Re-
turu of nm Artist to Memorial Hall
After Tvventy-four Years' Absence
An Interesting Museum-Some Ac-
count of Valuable Works OF Art.

On the way north and south by rail one
passes, at Philadelphia, through Paramount
Park. When it is light l always, If pos
sible, secure window on the westward
side of the car that l may catch glimpse
of Memorial Hall. Many, many times dur
ing the past twenty-four years have l re-
peated this pleasant experience for, Win
many another American artist and stu
dent, seeing the pictures that building
contained in the Centennial year" gave
form and substance to my ambition.
The memory of that time is very dear.
We had all seen good pictures here and
there, but very few Of us had seen great
ones, and never before a collective exhibit
tion of the worlds art. English, French,
German, and Italian schools were exten-
siveIy represented where one might study,
compare, and formulate his plans for an
artists career. It was an inspiring expert
which as a boy seemed the most glorious
thing in the world, had faded to the desire
TO be a famous artist. How well remem-
Der that Senator Hawley was director gen.
eral. II seemed to me then that to be the
chief officer of such a stupendous affair was
q mightier thing than to be President of
this Republic or King with many king
dome. When / came to know the genial
Senator here felt proud indeed. Ny ideas
since then have very much changed. Man
Illness and character alone survive the raw
AGES of time and ones notions OF true
greatness and true art, change enormously
as the years roll by.
The ideals OF 1876 seem 80 small and
poor today Pictures by famous artists
hung conspicuously then have ceased to be
Interesting, and one smiles when the names
Of those painters are spoken, SO false was
their point Of view. SO narrow their hori-
ION. and SO timid and petty their tech
nioue. Their names will not be mentioned
here for they were my first loves, and
through studying them and trying to paint
like them many OF US have come TO see
farther into the possibilities OF nature and
art and to paint more truly. While visit
ing Philadelphia / have often desired to
20 to Memorial Hall. but the dread OF lind
ing other things there kept me away. i
preferred to see the dome from the car
window and live over again in fancy those
delightful June days when I reyeled In
the first great collection of pictures ever
brought together in America.
Hearing much Of late Of the choice COL
lection of pictures bequeathed to the city
Of Philadelphia by Mr.. and Mrs. w. p
wilstach. and learning that they had been
placed on exhibition in Paramount Park,
/ determined to lay sentiment aside and
take the chances on finding in Memorial
Hall some art that might in measure
make up for the absence Of that seen
there years before.
''The Wilstach'' is very fine collection,
and as many of Its most notable examples
Of modern masters are near the entrance,
! Immediately forgot those other days IN
my keen enjoyment Of the new treasures
which are presented free TO the visitor at
Memorial Hall.
Two OF these pictures arc works of art |
OF Incompatible beauty. Pictures of that |
first rank such as one walks for hours i
through foreign galleries TO Finland they |
are rare enough even there. Pictures they |
are OF that quality before which ones en- |
5oyment is complete and inexpressible Sir |
Henry Raebufn's life-size portrait of Colo |
mel Macdonald, Of st. Martins, Is one Of |
shese. Doubtless In the English gallerica |