New-York tribune., 1905-06-04
WAR A"SSS SSf2ESSTT SHTY0zH zEl7aSeE ASa!z7S OVER

emy and founded the Art Students League. Yet
the secession did not weaken the institution.
but on the contrary strengthened fl. new
sense of responsibility aroused in the
breasts OF the acadeInicians. who brought about
notable extensions and Improvements in the
various schools.
The hardships of the academy in this period
also redounced 10 it's ultimate blessing in an
other way. Its lack Of suitable schools for
painting led some OF its most brilliant pupils
10 go 70 Paris. where they became students in
the Ecole des Beaux Arts. in private ateliers
under artists OF distinction Among these men
may be mentioned ]. Carroll Bsckwith, j. Alden
Weir George de Forest Brush. Alfred PinkhaIn.
Charles Melville Dewey and Z. ; Church SIX
or seven years later they returned TO New-Tork
ard were instrumental in reorganiZing the
schools CT the academy on n far higher basis
Il was their especial purpose 20 raise its schools
to as nigh standards as those Of the Ecole des
Beaux Arts; and the upward progress and
broader development OF the academy since that
time has been 10 great degree due TO their
inspiration Many OF these men also have
won especial fame. and their own personal sue
cess has brought further honor 20 the institu-
ton
Few pictures seen at the exhibitions OF the
academy show such contrasts of light and shade
as some Of the chapters of the institutions his
tory. Compare. for example. the palatial home
proposed for the academy on MorningsiGe
Heights. facing the Cathedral of St John the
Divine. which is TO be OF marble, and which.
with its various galleries. pavilions and studios,
will be splendid monument TO American art
with the grir1y room where The academicianS
held their first meetings. Il was room loaned
them by the New-York Historical Society, and
here the members met three evenings week
for drawing Each artist furnished his own
drawing materials and contributed his share
toward the expense OF light and heat One Of
the rules that the lamp should be lighted
at and extinguished at Q o'clock P m This
lamp. according 10 Thomas :. Cummings. in his
historical annals OF the academy, was can.
containing bout half gallon OF oil. into which
inserted q wick four inches in diameter.
Il set upon upright post, about ten fee
high To give sufficient light. the wick was con-
siderably out Of the oil and caused smoke. There
chimney. and laHpblack was abundant
In addition. some forty draughts1aen had oil
lamp each The reader may easily imagine the
condition Of the room
At the present time the academy is on the
eve Of what promises 70 be by far the most IL
lustrious epoch OF rs whole eyentful career.
few years 60 II sold its old home in 23d-st-,
which had been so darkened by adjacent build
ings as 10 be unfit for the OF art classes,
and Il is endeavoring 70 raise sufficient
funds TO build q great structure property
which il owns II Ar1sterda-n-ave- between 109th-
st and Cathedral Parkway Q10th-st) plot es-
pecially suited for an art building as II Is prac-
ticaliy protected for ali tine against darkening
encroachments- To the north is the vacant land
IN the rear Of the Cathedral 10 the east are the
grounds OF q hospital, and 20 the west is broad
A.nste-dau1-zye. The site consists Of sixteen
building lots and the new building viii face the
Cathedral It's cost is estimated st $4,000. OF
which at the present time about S20n0oo has
been raised The rest could be secured by bor-
rated at $4,000 but. as James D. STnillie, who
was at one time iIs treasurer. said recently: 1t
is the determined policy Of the academy 10 pro
ceed OF e cash basis only. and 10 take 10 risks
beyond its availa bic assets.
While waiting for the new building the schools
Of the aca denny have been conducted III q tenn
porary structure erected on part OF the plot
Besides affording greater opportunities for
American art students than have ever Yet been
given them. the new home OF the academy Is
also to be q repository for the art works Of the
whole nation. A prominent feature OF The pro-