New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-13
ART INTERESTS OF TIE METROPOLIS
Suggestions IS 10 the Way They May Best
Be Promoted.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir Your issue Of to-day gives two articles of
much interest 10 The lovers Of art The utteranoe
OF NJ. Charles Stewart Smith. headed Needs %
the METROPOLITAN Is specially 20 those who.
whether through their donations or lahors. have
assisted I'm tho formation and advancement Of our
METROPOLITAN Museum Of Art. The other contr-
button is uz AIousiEuor Doaue as the i'll advised
'pliIeS an Works OF Art" Every practising ar
fist every amateur and every lover of the beauu-
cul mus. acknowledge the justice of Monsignor
poanes aunodvCrsiOus on the legislation which
Keeps Mir. e. D. Nrr-an's art acquisitions out of
HE native .auG. and which exacts "A fortune from
Mrs. Gardner as taN fer helping the cause OF re-
F-,uert ana civilization through her art master
pieces. instead o. acknowledging. I'm some official
shape. The comuurity's Indebtedness TO her. Ills
personal a~ecdote 20 the modern Pandora's box
~ tor.G questions -hc Iftiug of the ld OF which
is dreaded bv some Of the officials OF the federal
government. distinctly points. as so much else
docs. To tile rroUrety-to the necessity. one may
say-of entirely separating from politics the hne
arts no less than scientific research. and the uni
yersai religion ot which each is. or ought to be-
hau5maid
nrr smiths remarks pc given by your reporter.
recall tho fact that the present art museUm, oven
with SIS recent addition fronting toward Flith-ave
le only the nucleus ~ the whole museum. as pro-
jCcied Boz the early by thu architects Of central
Park The present writer well remembers that the
original plans showed extensions OF great pro
portions all around tha structure FIRST built the
ragade7 thereof being intended TO open finally Tor
light and air. not temporarily arranged on
tr. clear open. but ON space which, however vast
viii .r reality become simply an interior court
A fair share ~ Tie noor and wall space TO be ac-
0ri--d .v such extensive additions was. ia tho
original and wen forecast scheme. allotted. and
viii certainly be needed. FOR the prospective and
constantly Increasing treasures OF the museum III
The graphic and plastic arts Of design The i'su-
tuition already sadly lacks housing Tor the proper
display az its trophies Do an ~ those arts. For
Instance. ] have before me "a letter from AN active
member ar tla museum Communication. iuumat-
trC thar want 0f space has forbidden the a0q2lSi-
t.au ~ further sNanp-es of that doeidfratHn ~
world .ti1rt .a---iis- tfei,-- $500 ., -.
-o-t .rr.a.H Ir-i-f~. speciality l- which our aIt
-. r.-.r r. frr r4t--.i .-.at ham of the museum.
bears rlo palm among al. tle art repositories on
lFrK n' moor space 10Y s-'i l-''4's =. '.-,.t.I-
lecture. -.f-r A. ii.l nc. me- ~, ,s-1 l-
PAINTINGS and fa~ most sculpture. Moreover. as
floor surface must De- surrounded ty walls. every
"-, ,lSfir--9I .fr7l-trlree gives ADDITIONAL
mural opportunity 20 its sister arts ~ re-i-.-.,
thsa a JeEl'li,-lZ -aSh "t $500 IsIeb@~a.s viii
ti6- I'D rrf- rts-s vath and the deleCtau0n Cf the
,--r .--+1,r' Il -o,-,, another instance Of what
i have Observed from ms FIRST connection with the
Metropolitan Art Museun-that our public officials
Q. "ssisv - g.a-, S'ti -s ma If he museum
ta--arca The, are moved 70 this not only 10y the
inclusive spirit which grows with his experience
] 81 man active ON The public stage Hl- hh li'ii
perception that the interests OF thc community
/ with which their individual interests and amti-
/ mate % a generous compliance with The re3uisl-
! ard when church. l-an-e and --sisaton stand
The Gaa arts l.-eo.raEemenr and pessiInlsm oH The
part of The official Representative. o. th@se arts
! NeU-York, Feb. g. 1904