New-York tribune., 1902-01-31
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
yEw.YoRKs NEED OF CIVIC ART.
EXAMPLE OF ORGANIZATIONS IN FOREIGN
CITIES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED.

CITIES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED.
r, the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The Tribune has aided the cause Of civic art
I'D municipal Improvement by its articles on the
,isn for improving the Columbus Circle, which e
nov such source OF danger, and by its explana-
zion Of the need for fine arts building. Both OF
.besA grand and noble objects be brought to
slll accom- pIishment II citizens and our city
government are true TO themselves and their best
interests.
Il mas been well said that civic art Is fire built
in the market place. at which each can light his
torch. while private art is hearth fire, which
warns only its builder and goes out with his fort
unes. Unfortunately for the OF civic art in
New-York. the charter has made provision for
municipal establishment, and the Art Commission
has only a limited veto power and initiate moth
ing. In this particular, cities like Paris Brussels
and Florence by their successful and remunerative
uniting of the useful the artistic in their rnu-
ncipaI management, have put US severely to shame;
are geeTbs baa n those those cities II mill
ions for ne arts 6udns for rev believe
the benefits that would come therefrom considering
be much more than will come to our people from
the libraries he has founded And to-day, if he,
unite as art patrons have done in Paris, and aid
can docbt what would be the Dement'S which would
accrue TO our city and its people. . 81.
spTawiing Jagged formiess HESS city, @ huge agsicniera
eb q ten Rsps all g he more oP gee n IS are that we
should learn new ways Of civic adornment and ar
In Brussels the National Belgian Society has done
a vast deal toward restoring 10 art the soeai mis- mis-
past and the result of its judicious direction
buildings. but shops adorned with mural paintings
and mosaics their facades. ornamental i, stalls
IveTY uttv in brussels has felt the artistic
influence OF this admirable society no reason
Why our Architectural League which is now 6nSy
not command an influence fully as great as the
aee oea they entitled TO-
When participating in the beautiful service at the
PressrSaon ts " Of HIstoe Places and noting the ad
bic M tariff aaeP Pa6fa e6q @ pg 1n9 m
the government Of my city that il should no not have
noble and timely tribute TO history and the MEM
Today we have different administration of city
sas a and & eeT AM "a a Py veTS rS b pra
pect for municipal art in the future is somewhat
When n abroad noted how in many cities well to
do citizens worked without pay on municipal com.
niIegs greSo S sneeSt eqE 70 iaces @, residence
The Municipal Art Society. of which | proud
jUst such spirit not maybe. as an officially recog-
5ed I but @ nd an depnaeR T ofsn as 10
establish park like that in Berlin. where in open
d S s pf oy % for the and
public buildings on days Of festivity and supply an
lessons. In the last five years the Humboldthain
has II ee5 @ o s asks keO e0 the the @ Of
Ihe old CITY Hall decorated from cofd weather TO
cold weather with great mass Of blossonling
plants.
In Brussels private society undertakes to build
a sample house TO show what can be done with a
certain city area, and supplies section OF streets
with lampposts and letter boxes for the same
purpose Our art societies be of equal service
70 this community and will be So Il our authorities
their Usefulness and adding TO their membership,
The press too. has here its opportunity, and it,
more than any other factor. can aid in bringing
about this faithful cooperation of all true citizens
in Hew and blessed atmosphere Of civic enterprise
and veibeing.
In an age 50 devoted TO money making We may
hardly look for any popular enthusiasm like that
with which ali Athens hailed the completion OF the
beautiful ParheDog, a reverence for art like that
which all Florence showed when It accompanied
Cinabue's Madonna" from the studio to the
church; yet nevertheless, il not so deep. the in
ferest Of people in the arts may be varied
and II can enter more largely into the pleasures
and family life OF the many And nothing
foster this art Instinct in the minds OF the
tie speaking presence of great ard beautiful
monuments, built by the city and for the peoples
Instruction and enjoyment
JOSIAH c. PUMPELLY.