New-York tribune., 1902-04-13
THE LUXEMBOURG MUSEUM
WHERE AMERICAN PICTURES CAN BE
COMPARED WITH FRENCH
MASTERPIECES
Paris. April 1

The Luxembourg Art Gallery was reopened
yesterday after the three weeks annual closing
50 enable the new works acquired in the year
to be placed. The Luxembourg Gallery is the
National Art Museum, containing the works Of
living painters and sculptors, French for
eign whose pictures or statuary have been Sc
Iected by the Minister of Fine Arts from the
annual salons and purchased by the State. Usu-
ally fifty or sixty works are thus bought each
wear for the Luxembourg Museum, which, un-
fortunately, is far too small TO display all its
treasures at the same time
Owing 10 want Of room, the gallery has be-
rome q sort OF storehouSe, where scarcely more
than q third Of its contents can be stimuli
taneously exhibited. The prices paid by the
State are seldom high the actual market
values Of the works selected. In some cases
picture dealers have been known TO offer double
what the Minister Of Fine Arts is willing pay.
But it is considered a great honor for artist
TO have his salon exhibit purchased by the gov
eminent for the Luxembourg Museum, which
is the official recruiting ground for the immortal
g!ories Of the Louvre where the works of dead
artists only admitted.
Indeed the Luxembourg in regard to the
Louvre is somewhat purgatory is to paradise
because in theory, if not invariably in practice
works are transferred from the Luxembourg to
the Louvre ten years after the death Of the
artist who executed them. 1t is a great pity
that this art pUrgatory is not at least five times
larger, for its pictures. statuary and specimens
of artistic jewelry, translucid enamel executed
by Lalique Tesnar and Suau de Ia Croix. con-
stitute the most interesting modern collection in
Paris and form an admirable standard to en-
able visitors to tune UP their art perceptions to
the proper pitch before plunging into the ocean
of canvases and statuary contained in the two
great annual picture fairs, or salons, Of April
and May.
II. LeOnce Bene6ite, conservator Of the Lux
embourg Museum, who each year has to per-
form the miracle Of placing fifty new acquisi-
tions in a gallery where every yard of wall and
floor space is already occupied, says that he has
every reason to believe that the Chamber Of
Deputies Will finally vote the necessary appro-
priaton TO enlarge the museum, which is located
in the former orangery Of the palace built by
Henri " for his queen, Marie de Medici-
The new changes that the works in the Lux
embourg Museum have undergone this year are
particularly interesting, for they indicate the
art tendency Of the Gay, not only by the char
acter Of the new pictures admitted, but also by
the canvases that have been relegated to in
conspicuous heights that have been elirni-
mated altogether. A severe blow has been given
TO the old fashioned official excellence of Bou-
guereau and his inaitators. The venerable mas
teT's once famous enforcement dams les Cata-
combes" has been "skyed." and Detaille's Red
dItion de Huningue" has been hoisted into
high and obscure corner.
On the other hand, the honors Of the line are
accorded to NJ. Charles Cottet's Sailors Fare
well Repast,' representing Breton fishermen
taking what may perhaps be their last meal
with their folks at home. N. Lucien Simon's
Religious Procession Of Breton Peasants has
been selected for the vis-a-vis of NJ Cottet's
sentimental triptych- Prominence is given to
NJ. Etienne Dinet's Arabic Legend OF the Low
ers." NJ. Carolus Duran's vividy colored Apple
Orchard IN Dauphiny.' NJ Jules Lefebvre's por-
trait of his daughter, NJ Fantin-Latours por-
trait Of himself. II. Jean Weber's -'Princesse."
n Levy Dhurmer's -Aveugles de Tanger," NJ
Paul Leroy's Bath works by NM Moreau-
Nelaton, Morisset. FRANCOIS Guignet and Rene
Menard are conspicuous among the new can
vases.
In the sculpture section there are no impor-
taat changes. NJ. Saint-Gaudens still retains
place Of honor among the national groups, and
the most important Of the new acquisitions IS
an admirable bronze bust OF Puvis de Chavannes
by Rodin, and there is also bust in wood Of
n. Harpignies. the landscape painter, by NJ
Camille Theunissen.
1t is pleasing to note that in the room set
apart for foreign painters the Americans have
been accorded the lions share. Mr. Whistler's
=
ing distinction in every line and sentiment in
every touch, dominates this well lighted room.
Diagonally opposite IS Mr.. Sargents spirited
amber yellow "Carmencita." Mr. Dannat's
Woman in Red" occupies a prominent corner.
Mr.. John Alexander's Woman in Gray" Mr..
Walter MacEwen's delightful Dutch Maiden
Setting Out for Church." Mr.. Walter Gays two
panels OF girls working in Seville cigarette fac
tories, Mr. Henry Mosler's Death of the Breton
Peasant Woman Mr.. Alexander Harrison's
Arcadia" Mr.. Eumphreys-Johnstons portrait
Of his mother, Mr.. Winslow Honer's Summer
Night" the MarQuise de Wentworth's La Fol"
and scriptural subject by Mr.. II. Q. Tanner
are among the American works Of interest
prominence that have been admitted TO the
honors Of the National Museum Of the LuxeH-
bourg
The number Of American artists whose works
have been purchased by the French Govern
laent 70 be placed IN the Luxembourg is equal
TO the pictures bought for the same purpose
from the painters af all the other foreign coun-
tries combined. American visitors 10 Paris in
the coming season will find il well worth their
while TO include the Luxembourg Gallery in
their curriculum, for opportunity is here pre-
sented Of comparing side by side the academic
excellence Of the French with the vitality and
sincerity Ct the American painters c i b.
OUT OF sI6.500,000 $4,000 FOR CHARITY.
Chicago April 12-while the will Of the late
Daniel Wells has not been fled for probate as yet
its provisions have been learned, says Milwaukee