Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-05-11
Scandal
S'sssssssssssOsssssssse
Matters of Moment From the
Far-off NorthIand

/ When the Swedish arllsJs were
called together to discuss the ques-
ton of exhibiting at the Louisiana
Purchase exhibition in st. Louis IN
1904 an unexpected and, in
measure, inexplicable opposition was
disclosed. About fifty artists were
present. Count Wachtmeister, presi-
dent of the academy, acting as chair
man.
Professor Cederstrom opened the
Injecting by a statement regarding
the purpose for which it was called,
| but without expressing his views.
The sentiment of the artists appears
to have been expressed in a letter by
Professor G. Won Rosen, who was
prevented from being present in per-
son. While admitting in a general
way that artists should exhibit as
often as possible on the continent of
! Europe. he dissuaded them from par
! ticipation in the st. Louis exposition,
I the benefits from which would lie
very slight. 1t would be decided
! loss, he said. to tie up their works
for several months in a country in
which the judgment regarding the ex-
hibits was of a relatively inferior inn
portance. Especially would IL be true
while there were exhibitions in
Europe at which there would be
greater Lenefit in being represented.
Karl Nordstrom remarked that he
could see no reason why there shoulc
be less profit in exhibiting at st.
| Louis than in Europe. There was in
! America a considerable interest In
art and on former occasions it ha>
/ been shown that Swedish art had
( been much encouraged there. At the
time it was proper to discuss the
necessity of exhibiting at all large
lexpositions. These are Icing held
every year. In the group of artists OF
which he was a member there had
grown up a tendency to refrain from
exhibiting at all possible expositions.
Should they participate, the possible
benefits should be clearly and de-
cidedly revealed.
DR.. Bell, an American who was
present, called attention to the fact
that art works invariably received
higher prices in America than in
| Europe. and the opportunities for dis.
posing them were better.
Mr.. Nordstrom was quite willing
TO concede this, but this was
secondary to the aesthetic interest.
He had not great confidence in
similar expositions. Nevertheless he
Z willingly admitted that the worlds
fair managers had shown themselves
to be greatly interested and ac-
ccmmodating relative to Swedish
art display.
Professor Oscar Bjork suggested
that a great deal depended on the
Swedish government. Unless a
proper appropriation was made it
would be unnecessary to engage in
any preliminary work. A consider
able sum of money was necessary, at
least 10000 kroner. Several speakers
thought il was useless to discuss
ways and means until it was quite
clear that there should be an art eA
lhibit from Sweden. The various
groups. he said, should discuss the
question at length and then, after
the sentiment had been ascertained,
there could be a united movement.
Count wachtmeister reminded those
present that there should be no de-
lay, for there was need of deciding
the question very soon.
Before adjournment DR.. Bell spoke
at some length on the preparations
at the coming exposition. The art
palace was to be $50 feet long and
splendidly situated. His remarks
did not appear TO make much i'm
F, preston.