New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-09
FOR CITY ART GALLERY.
RELICS NOW IN DANGER.
Plan to Gather Historic Paintings
IN One Collection.

plan by which all the famous portraits. oil
paintings. relics and gifts that have been ure-
scented to the City of New-York can be gathered
into single collection. properly housed and
fttingly emplaced. has been advanced by sew
eraI men interested in the artistic welfare of
the city, and is being considered by some MEM
bers Of the commission appointed TO select a site
for the proposed new courthouse The basis
of the suggestion is found in the fact that a
large number of extremely valuable oil paint
ings, gifts and relics of historical worth owned
by the City of New-York are scattered around
In several corporation departments (sone of
them being in buildings that are not hreproof
and in many instances are hung to such poor
advantage and in such feeble light as to lose
much of their intrinsic beauty
A man well acquainted with the art works of
the city said to a Tribune reporter yesterday:
Some Of the most valuable oil paintings in the
United States are in the various municipal de-
partments Of this city. Should any one Of them
for both the artist and subject are dead All Of
the subjects cts are famous in American history. while
many OF the artists, such Jarvis Suly Trumbuu.
etc. had an international reputation In some
historical interest as for instance. Count Pu-
laski's painting OF Hendrick Hudson. which is in
Then there are the famous naval paintings OF
s5 Tnaqncey and Macdoneugh by jarvis
troller at the Stewart Building; that OF General
Inman. and Governor Jay by Trumbuii in the Cow
ernor's Room. in the City Hall. All OF these are
could never be replaced
Among the most valued relics the punch bowl
York by General Jacob Morton. July 1si2" which.
AS it stands now it is Improperly protected 0-
| Nearly all OF the, famous paintings ara hung
make them out We New-Yorkers do not sppreciats
these paintings as much as people living at dis
them. As It stands now. they are compelled to
from building to another, in order to them
These city pictures. including those belonging to
tractive feature Of our municipality If brought
into one collection; housed in one gallery and
business Should there be room enough, q wing
% devoted to this eoseon Il would be IN r
| proof building and could be exhibited In proper
addition to the attractivs features Of the city.
The visitor could see the entire collection under
| around from building to another.
Ex-Judge William Nathan Cohen. at his Office.
| No. % william-st.. said:
Whether or not the devotion Of a considerable
space in the new courthouse ror the proper Sn
housing OF these valuable paintings Is teaslols &c
snds largely on the amount Of EFounq 1 we are
Of great vsius historcally and some OF them
undoubtedIy are Of high artistic merit; As they
whereas. X placed in specially arranged room O
gsy In , the nsT GaSd Would Be In
there would Be- OF course. some oolsctiogn7 e
The projected municipal building which Is designef
| to accommodate all the city Department.. wooS
be a far more suitable place for such an art gamer
But think that these pictures are OF sIcn TaluS
not only TO our city but to the nation tnaL sacIt
Ace could be made Of sentiment In tasqr OF az
| ticabnty The Municipal Building, IN all prooasoll
ity will not be completed until some years eIsT
| the new courthouse, that. as q temporary -
pedent certain we'll lighted portion OF tne AYE I
could with propriety be used as saIIery Ior 49,
| nictIIres until permanent quarters are proVioeu
Should we get the Mulberry Park site there Wo9,.
| he am0ie room for annex. where a suIdoN
| Svus1nsy could bs erected as city art gallery
or should the Broadway and ChamoersIIsI , sts
| - chosen the top floor would give ample Asnl
| yybf1e C1ty Hall Park to the south would insur,
against tan buildings going up on that side 10 Gu
1 oTr ught