The Washington times., 1902-12-21

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OF art through our custom houses free Of
duty. which viii probably be urged be
fore the present Congress is question
which presents ample grounds for dis
agreement. While e may be urged that
II the provision Is made 10 apply only
20 objects Of art produced more than
fifty years ago. IL will not interfere with
the productions OF American artists; il
may also be claimed that II these objects
of art are admitted. duty free. they will
be used to beautify the collections and
the homes Of those who are rich enough
TO pay the now existing duties. and that
by this concession Of the amount Of du-
ties, a certain amount Of revenue will be
lost to the Government which in some
way OF other will have to be met by an
increase Of revenue in other directions
For this loss Of revenue the people at
large will receive no benefit except from
the very unsatisfactory reflection that
certain art masterpieces (which they are
not permitted to see) are now owned in
the United States, and the further. equal
ly unsatisfying. reflection. that some
time in the future these duty-free works
OF art may find their way into art muse
ums where they can then be enjoyed by
the public.
II seems but Just, II such works
Of art are 10 be admitted duty free, that
the purchasers should be required by
law to place their possessions on exhibi-
tion in public art galleries where the
public can at frequent intervals be per
mitted to view and inspect them. and
in this manner receive some benefit in
recompense for the loss Of revenue which
must ensue from this proposed legisla-
tion.
To admit works Of art duty free, may
appeal 10 those who are esthetic and
sentimental. but IN business matters il
seems unwise to open such an avenue
for profitable speculation. as II is well
known that art works Increase in value
with age TO an extent which is unknown
In any other neld OF investment.
1t is not always the best course to
follow the advice Of Mrs. Grundy.
When George Frederick Watts. the
greatest living painter Of England pre-
sented his beautiful work Love and
Life, to the American people. and there
seemed to be a prospect that 1t would
be given a place in the White House.
Mrs. Grundy helped herself TO an extra
cup OF tea and gossip was busy for a
while. AS a compromise the picture
was hung in the Corcoran Gallery.
where It has been admired by thousands
OF visitors. and in the course OF time
the Washington public commenced 70
feel secure in its possession until a na-
tional gallery should be established
With the removal OF the picture to the
White House a realization OF the eX-
] tent Of the loss is now deeply expe-
rienced by all lovers OF art-for there
/ are many who never visit the Corcoran
Gallery without paying a visit to the
picture as though 10 the shrine Of a
patron saint. We cannot mourn the
/ loss Of possession that has never
I existed, and but for Mrs Grundy the
picture would have found a place in
the White House at the time the gift
/ was made. But there Will be many a
fervent wish that some time this exam
pie Of the oldest and the worthiest Of
English painters may be returned TO the
Corcoran Gallery. where the public may
see the work Of a man who has painted
for nearly sixty years. not for wealth or
for distinction-althoug he now bears
the honor Of the Order Of Merit-but for
| love Of art, love Of the beautiful, and
| love or mankind.