The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-25
in N. Y
Principal Spring Event That Of the
Society Of American
Artists.
Much Good Work Shown Tho Dis
sensions Have Weakened
the Society.

5 i ! Z
For the New York visitor who would do
all Of the art exhibitions there are some
very busy times If his visit falls at either
the opening or the close of the season.
The principal exhibition of the spring is
that of the Society of American Artists
that gave it's twenty fifth exhibition this
year in the galleries Of the American Fine.
Arts Society on West Fifty seventh
street Among the nearly 400 works of
art there We're many of merit and several
that were notable, but on the whole the
impression would have been disappointing
to any one more familiar with the repu-
tation Of the society and with the names
on it's rolls of members than with its ex-
hibitions. There is much criticism Of the
society among the artists and things
seem shaping themselves for a secession
such as the society originated in and such
as occasioned two French salons. There
are always in. every art exhibition society
the older men who are in the saddle,
wishing to hold to what has been tried,
and the younger and more restless ele-
ment that favors novelty and the recruit
ing ofSthe most advanced eXperimenters.
There has been for a good many years
much dissatisfaction with the manage
ment of the society's exhibitions and one
after another of the prominent and popu-
lar artists has withdrawn his support
and is no longer among the exhibitors.
Therefore, the omissions are very str1k-
ing as one examines critically the exhi-
bition catalOg. The withdrawals have
been Offset to be sure, by many coming
leaders among the younger men, whose
work is very interesting, but in the de-
sire to give budding genius an opportunity
to fill up the ranks there has been in
cluded what seems to me a larger pro-
portion of amateurish work than one
would naturally expect to find in an ex-
| hibition of such importance having so
| fine a field to draw from.
| In addition to internal troubles, an
other element operates against New York
! exhibitors, the dividing up of the output
! Of the season. The Academy in the
winter gets its share and all thru the
! season there are small exhibitions without
number, besides the demand of the deal
ers to pick off the important pictures.
| Both the society and the academy show
only work not before shown in New York
| and this practically limits both to the
| product of few months. New York be-
| ing regarded as the art center. outside
artists evidently feel that to send pic
lures there would be carrying Goals to
Newcastle and few outside artists ex-
hibit.
The galleries are large, attractive anc
well arranged. The lighting by day is
good, but is rather poor at night.
The place Of honor in the exhibition was
given to a beautiful symbolic figure O.
a woman by Abbott H. Thayer, worl
Of noble and lofty sentiment, inscribed tt
Robert Louis Stevenson. This decision
however, was the occasion of rift in thu
society and of much unpleasantness. Thru
Will H. Low, the loan of several impor
tant canvases by Whistler was prom
ised and Mr.. Low, confidently expected
that they would be given the coveted
place of honor. When he found that thu
hanging Of Mr.. Thayer's picture and 9th
1 ers had already been arranged for and thu
committee was disinclined to alter it
entire plans, he withdrew the Whistle
4 pictures and resigned from the society.
Near Mr.. Theyer's splendid canvas wa
hung picture that especially interested
all Minneapolis visitors, "A Boy With Ar