The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-02
Joseph RIbright's
Great Gift TO FRI

THERE is an indication that the
question of more than a century
ago. who reads an American
boof?" is repeated today with the
variation that it applies TO pictures
instead of books. This is n sort of fad
taken up by those who worship every
thlng foreign. from dressmakers to
Kings. Their portraits painted by for
eign artists have to them a cachet of
distinction such as they feel is be-
slowed when they wear a Paris hat
or London made top coat. and gall
lery where American artists alone are
represented is gallery of little inter-
est With no thought of decrying for
| eign art 1t would not be amiss If peo-
pie whose knowledge of the subject Is
rather limited would endeavor to ad-
just their point of view so as not to
exclude nearby objects in order to
catch glimpse of the distant. The
day is here when to he an American
artist is to have a claim to recognition
in all lands. and to be looked upon
with interest because of the mark OF
originality. Many of our artists seem
more the product of European culture
|
case of every one who has achieved a
great place in the world which knows
no geogra phical confines. there is this
something which the early touch with
the spirit of America and heredity has
given him, which is apart and singular.
Our artists must have the foreign
culture the atmosphere. the breadth,
h.
IL is a pride and pleasure to every
true American to realize that for once
we have gathered under one roof the
| great representative work of our land
| that painters. sculptors and ilustra-
| tors have contributed to making a true
| Pan American gallery of art for the
education and enlightenment. .he in
| spiration and hope of our people. New
| er again will such an exhibition be
| seen. Probably never again will 1t
| enter into the thought of man, for our
world on this side of the great waters
| Is stepping out serenely upon the seas
| and the miracle is to be wrought once
more for the blessing of the universe,
| to the end that no more will the races
be divided, and our ways be set apart
| from the ways of all the nations. The
| days of our insulation are almost over.
and it will hereafter be impossible to
| bring together a distinctly American
exhibit of art such as is now shown at
| Buffalo. Thus it is an education
which no one anxious to keep abreast
with the refined current of thought of
| the age which is now widening and
| deepening, to such a degree, can afford
to miss.
Mr.. Joseph Albright, formerly Of
Scranton, is the most talked about man
in Buffalo. Said resident of that city
the other day: Mr.. Albright is a
source of constant wonder to our peo-
pie here. He's kind of a sumner. you
know. You see, it's this way: Buffalo
isn't a progressive city. You may be
| surprised to hear that but it's so.
Why, the Lackawanna Iron and Steel
company had the very deuce of a time
making their arrangements to move
their plant here. One of the officials
told me that the utmost secrecy as to
every little detail had to be observed
or the plans would have fallen through
al the last minute. The Buffalo parties
were so suspicious and so conservative
that it was almost impossible to per-
feet the scheme. Mr. Albright is a new
type of man in Buffalo. They don't
give things away here. they're trying
to get from others all the time, and
Mr.. Albrght's magnificent gifts to the
city are such surprise that we can't
get over ii, He is a modest man. and
doesn't care TO have the trumpets
sounded over his deeds. Buffalo is
| proud of MIN, however"
Every visitor to the Pan-American is
| certain TO ask, as soon as he reaches
| the Elmwood Gate: What is the great
marble building just inside the grounds?
And If there is any Scranton persons
! in the vicinity their hearts are equally
certain TO swell with pride as the an
swer is made: That is the Albright
Art Gallery" And the mental picture
of the Albright library at home is re-
called. with its flawless and it's rare
beauty of location and design. Buffalo
is exceedingly proud of the splendid
art gallery which Mr. Albright has pre-
sented to the city. II is built of white
marble and will be immense in extent
when completed. That will not he, MI.
Albright told me the other night, for
year at least. He does not care to
and in his quiet, diffident way seems
rather TO deprecate the admiring COM
ments of friends and acquaintances re-
| garding the public spirit which is so
vital a part of his nature. He is in
tensely interested in the exhibition of
art in the temporary gallery at the
other side of the exposition grounds.
and is extremely desirous that the pub
| lie shall see and realize what 1t means
to have such a collection of American
sculpture and painting as this.
The Art Gallery is a lorg, low. brick
building, beautifully located above the
lake in the lovely park which has long
been a permanent feature of Buffalo.
In some respects, however, the location
| is not as fortunate as might be de-
sired since 1t is remote from the main
buildings, although not far from the
state and province reservation, In this
extreme weather il Is impossible to
spend a long period continuously in an
art gallery, as the vast skylight SUR
| face renders the heat intolerable, and
| unless one can go in for a short time
only and then pass on to the lofty, cool