The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-02-13

Arts and Sciences was one of the fea-
lures of the Georgia Historical Socie-
tvs meeting last night. Mr. Brandt
reviewed the work of the academy
during last year; described the addi-
ton to the picture gallery made by
the director himself. and referred to
his two paintings. The Aclopolis at
Athens" and the "Campagna near
Rome" for which he painted studies
nearly three years ago and which will
be unveiled in short time. After
completing two more pictures for the
academy Mr.. Brandt hopes to be able
to go to Syria to paint studies for
picture of the temple ruins of Bal
beck.
Mr.. Brandfs report is as follows:
Mr.. President: The following report
for the year. 1902 as director of the
Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences,
l respectfully submit:
The number of visitors to the acad-
envy who entered free of charge has
been thrice what it was in the preced-
ing year. About one thousand. 1t is
difficult to ascertain the exact number
owing to the fact that many visitors
will not enter their name in the vsi-
tors book, kept for that purpose. Inc
number of pay-visitors is l,054, an in
crease of S73 in all, during the year.
The collection of works of art and
other belongings of the Telfair Acad-
envy is substantially in the same good
condition as in previous years. In other
words, as far as vigilance, care ana
intelligent supervision can protect them
everything is in the best preservation.
Thorough ventilation throughout the
entire building is established by con-
trivance in the skylights. Through the
glass dome in the hall of casts, which
is partly open, the air from that room
passes into the gallery above and finds
exit through the lattice in the ceiling,
and the large ventilator which crowns
the skylight. This dome serves dou-
BILE purpose; the one just mentioned,
and, admitting becoming light on the
"Toro Farnese" group. There are four
other Ventilators in the skylight of the
entrance hall and over the marble stair
way leading to the main picture gal
lery. This has largely contributed to-
ward the splendid condition in which
our fine collection of photographs has
been ever since its acquisition twenty
years ago. The greater part of these
photographs were expressly made for
the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sci
ences by different Photographic compa-
MES in Europe. They are reproductions
of famous pictures by old masters and
modern painters, and other artistic and
historically interesting objects contain
ed in museums abroad.
They are valuable, instructive and en-
tertaining for those who have not the
opportunity to see the originals and a
pleasing Renaissance for those who
are familiar with the latter. 1t is
pleasure to see them so well preserved
in a climate where photographs so east
ly perish.
To the collection of oil paintings, as
yet not large but an honor to any gall
lery, has been added during the year,
Laurentfs pathetic conception La
Parabola' and the picture Of the Great
Pyramid and SphnxH at Gireh, which
k'paiuted during the summer of 1901 in
my studio on Hudson river, and the
Royal Berlin vase of exquisite design
and charming decorations, which at
tracted much attention at the Paris Ex-
position 1900). from which 1T was
bought, is placed in the picture gall
lery.
The pictures were unveiled on Feb.
20, on the occasion of a brilliant recep-
tion held on that day at the academy,
and, although the weather was most
inclement, a large and enthusiastic au-
dience was present. The new pictures
We're received with much favor.
I feel deeply sensible of this apprecia-
ton of my work. and beg to assure the
society and friends of the academy that
1t shall ever be my highest ambition to
prove myself faithful steward of the
academy, and If thus be instru-
mental by procuring for it's
galleries works of art of the
highest standard which not alone will
give pleasure and instruction to near
participants, but will be a marked at
traction for strangers who visit Sa-
vannah, rebound to the honor of the
Georgia Historical Society IN whose
charge the building up of this Aca-
denny of Arts and Sciences was placed
and the state of Georgia in whose bal
my and genial atmosphere the
generous and highminded benefactress
founded this art temple, and thus her
wishes brought to fruition it will con-
stitute my chief happiness.
In another month or thereabout I
will have completed two other large
oil paintings. The "Acropolis at
Athens and the Champagne near
Rome" for which I painted studies
on the spot in 1900.
The Acropolis with the majestic
Parthenon lifted to the sun by the tall
massive rock, the very sanctuary of
the Glory of Greece, battered by every
assailant from the Venician TO
the Iconoclast and the Turk,
even in its ruined condition Is
the transcendent model of the world
Modern edifices of every civilized ma
ton are considered faulty only as
they depart from it,
The "Campagna near Rome" of VOL
canic origin with its manifold associa-
tions is a stretch of country most pic
turesque to the eye. The distant Sabin
and Alben mountains lifted to the
heaven in their purple veil, vieing with
the towering clouds above in brazil
lancy Of color is magical. The dreamy
atmosphere charms every beholder.
For the art world 1t has been a ne
cropois from which rare works of art
have been recovered. treasures which
fill museums everywhere.
The unwilling of these two pictures
will take place as soon as / have them
ready for the exhibition. / shall then
have the pleasure to point out where
the originals Of some of our casts
were found.
The reception I hope will again be
attended by all lovers of art-I know