The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-12

LONDON, July Amy one familiar with
the temples, palaces and galleries in which
are to be seen the choicest Of the worlds
art treasures, if called to visit and review
a private collection formed In recent years,
never before described and composed
mainly of pictures by famous masters,
must in the first instance approach the
matter with a certain amount of misgtv-
ing. The opportunity, doubtless, is TO be
considered privilege, Yet to make con-
scientious use Of it may possibly involve
the expression of disparaging opinions
And these, unfortunately, are apt to seem
discourteous.
OF recent years it has become extremely
difficult for private individuals to form
collections Of works OF art adequately
representing famous masters. A recent
difficulty may be, as In Italy, that the ex-
port Of such works is prohibited by law,
or, as In the United States. that their i'm
port lie attended by discouraging condi-
tons, or, as In Japan, that there is per-
manent buying-order from wealthy native
connoisseurs for any first-rate work OF
national art discovered in the country.
In any case the would-be collector has
to compete with corporations, even with
nations, now DESTROYS of forming or en-
riching civic and national collections
The professional middleman is often ignor-
ant and seldom scrupulous Further
more, to find In private individuals the
needful combination Of ability to dis
criminate finely, courage to back their
Judgment without hesitation, and she
means wherewith to back it effectively,
% Rtill rarer than their opportunities Of
profiting by these qualifications,
To such and similar considerations is
due pleasant feeling Of relief experienced
on first inspecting Hamilton Mccormick 8
collection, or, rather, since large part
Of 1t ia at Chicago, the hundred or more
pictures now at his London residence,
Berkeley House, Berkeley Square.
Most people know that Hamilton McCor-
mick IL OF the family which revolution
lied farming in the United States by the
Introduction Of machinery for reaping,
harvesting, 60. If in addition they chance
TO find out that his Chicago residence was
built from his own designs, and that he
Possesses much natural ability as a sculptor,
the excellence of his collection is in meas
ure accounted for.
COMPREHENSIVE it may be thus compared
with others OF like magnitude, formed
under like conditions. The average quality
Ia exceptionally high.
Here are pictures certain TO arouse en-
thusiasm In all lovers OF things beautiful,
whether professional or amateur. An IN
usually large proportion Of these pictures
are by artists of worldwide repute; some
by men whose work might be as famous
were 1t not extremely scarce, Relatively
few can be looked upon AZ representing
their PAINTERS inadequately; many repre-
sent them exccllently; and some show
their highest levels Of achievement. Now,
IL III not often that so much can conscien-
tiously be said OF hundred works Of art
belonging to one man.
Perhaps the best artist to begin with is
the famous first president Of the Royal
Academy, Sir Joshua Reynolds, here repre-
sented by half dozen works, some OF which
exhibit well marked stages Of his develop
ment. All have at one time or another
been engraved.
A sufficiently typical early work Il the
large portrait of Hester, Countess Of Sussex,
and her child; and a still better specimen
is the threo-quarter length of Frances,
daughter Of the Right Hon Henry Pelham,
and afterward wife Of the first Baron Sondes.
Since space will only permit detailed de-
scription Of a few pictures, IL ia better to
select for this purpose the artists later
work