New-York tribune., 1902-07-08
ART NOTES.
EXHIBITIONS IN NEW-YORK-ART AT
Observation-Disclosures OF INTEREST
IN ENGLAND AND ON THE CON


reference 10 The art season which Will DeslH
next fall is that Of the National Academy of
Design The seventy-eighth annual show Of
this organization will be opened at the Fire
Arts Galleries early in January. We co not
need definite announcement, however. to cause
us to expect numerous art exhibitions in this
city next winter We always well supplied
in this regard. Mr. William A Coffin, writing
appreciatively Of American art in the current
number OF 'Scribner's Magsz zine" remarks that
I'VE nave more exhibitions in New-York large
and small, than IN any other art centre in the
world" We surprised to hear it, But
whatever the figures may be. it is certain that,
Mr.. Coffin also says, I'VE have too many ex-
hibitions," too many for the good OF the artist
and too many for the good of the public. With
many shows, large and small-the latter often
being small only by comparison-there is not
enough really artistic work TO go round The
painter who tries TO contribute TO three or four
miscellaneous exhibitions, and wants, very
often. to have show OF his own at the gal
1ery OF one Of the Dealers may manage TO cover
enough canvas for his purpose, but he must
he an extraordinarily competent individual. and
facile into the bargain, if he is to do himself
anything like justice. The public, Of course, is
only confused and wearied by having hundreds
Of pictures thrown at its head in a season.
Mr.. Coffin is Of the opinion that I'VE should
centralized: for the effect Of one great annual
art exhibition in New-Yorl, if such exhibit
ton could be held would make a deeper i'm
preston than the scattered displays which con-
tinue from November 10 May The idea
has much to commend it, and until it has at
least had a trial criticism upon it must be sus-
pended. Yet it may not unfairly be urged that
something like an informal experiment involv-
ing comparatively slight expenditure and COM
uniting none of the Independent societies now
existing. should be made before We undertake
American Salon. Surely II is not necessary
10 wait for the fusion of all the societies into
one body, and the erection Of a building ade-
uuate TO their needs when exhibiting simultane-
ousy. II should be perfectly practicable for
certain Of the more important societies to get
together for a special occasion, in some such
building as the St Nicholas Rink even the
Madison Square Garden and there hold a more
less comprehensive exhibition. We say
more less" because it would not be abso-
futely indispensable for every artistic organiza-
tion to be represented The main point would
be simply TO get up a good large exhibition,
thoroughly varied in character. and then not
only see how the public takes to the idea but
give the thing itself dispassionate consideration
and come TO some reasoned and critical concu-
sion about it II the affair failed, the whole, to
come OFF, no harm would be done. Subscriptions
if they were needed-for enterprise of the
sort could doubtless be secured without diff
Guilty. No such would be required must
be obtained if a permanent home for a Salon
is to be built and if the experiment were sue
cessful money for such a home would be forth
coming only the more speedily. The societies
sharing in the venture, those remaining tenn
porarily aloof, patrons Of art and the public
generally would then know just where they
stood. A year or two later articles of incor-
poration might be taken out and the American
Salon would be accomplished fact, with an
assured future before it
1t has been decided by the department Of fine
arts Of the Carnegie Institute at Pittsburg to
omit the international exhibition this year, and
TO hold, instead, a loan exhibition for which
paintings in private and public collections in
America will be borrowed. The regular exhibi-
ton will be resumed, however, in 1903.
An interesting Illustration of what art may
mean in quarters where its ministrations
not always expected to prove of much effect
has lately appeared in the columns Of the Lon
don Morning Post" A writer in that journal
having made some sceptical remarks apropos Of
an exhibition of japanese art in the East End
an inhabtant of that district signing himself
"A Whitechapel Man." retorts as follows: "I
1
once coster. tell him 1.-THE sceptic afore-
said1 that when he says that he does not be-
1ieTe in the value of these shows he is entirely
ignorant Of the people of Whitechapel and their
manners and feelings. I have been made
q better man through looking at pictures and
one Of my chidren's lines has been completely
changed for good through pictures. and know
lots Of other poor chaps whose minds have been
improved through pictures. Whitechapel people
ere not such savages as the gentle think they
are. They viii not laugh at the pictures A
Whitechapel 'chappy' knows a good thing when
he sees it" A Settlement worker. closely familiar
with conditions in our own East Side districts
on being shown this letter expressed himself
as not in the least surprised by its revelation
Of -slun" interest in artistic things. The ex-
hfbitions held in the tenement neighborhoods
and all the efforts made there to awaken feel
ing for beauty have been received in a very en-
couraging manner. The attendance at any show
is always ample, and most Of the visitors drawn
largely from the very poorest classes, if obvi-
ously innocent Of the critical faculty which
after all, one expects them to possess, show
plainly that good pictures give them pleasure.
Results far have been promising enough 10
make all those concerned in the work eager to
carry it on through and more ambitious
developments.
One Of the matters involved in the postpone
ment Of the coronation closely touched those
interested in American art. Mr. Abbeys picture
OF the great ceremony is bound to differ some
what from the work he expected to produce We
learn that before the Kings illness was known
the artist did a good deal Of painting in West
minister Abbey, making sketches Of the temper
arily altered aspect of the interior Of the church
He attended the coronation rehearsals and thus