Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-02
AMERICAN ART.
Success Of the Exhibition in Progress
at the Corcoran Gallery.

Success Of the Exhibition In Progress
at the Corcoran Gallery.
From the Baltimore Sum-
The success which has attended the ex-
hibition Of paintings by American artists
at the Corcoran Art Gallery of Washing
ton is gratifying to all lovers and patrons
Of art in this country. Two hundred ar
lists are represented in a collection Of 400
paintings Many of these paintings are Of
high order of merit, indicating that art
In the United States is making steady
progress and that American artists have
won worthy place in the ranks Of their
profession. notable feature of the exhibit
ton is the collection Of paintings by Ameri-
can artists living in Europe Perhaps II
our laws were more liberal, II Congress
had not imposed heavy tax upon the
works Of old masters and modern masters
imported to the United States from Europe,
these American artists would not have ex-
patriated themselves and gone to foreign
countries. where art Is not taxed. In the
great European capitals they have the op-
portunity to study the best works of genius
in past generations and in the present. II
paintings and works of art generally were
admitted to the United States free Of duty
there would be no. necessity for the Ameri-
can artists to live abroad in order that they
might be in touch with the works of the
worlds greatest painters. For with no tax
on paintings American art lovers would in
time add to their collections many of the
pictures which lend distinction to European
galleries, and American artists would have
at home advantages which they must now
seek abroad.
1t would possibly enlarge the minds of
congressman if they would attend the
exhibition at the Corcoran Art Gallery.
Perhaps a visit would enable them to take
a more liberal view of art. They might be
made to realize how essential it Is to the
establishment Of American art on the
broadest and most finished lines that Amer
the best artists of Europe for inspiration,
education and guidance. The sight of many
admirable productions by American artists
might convince them that the government
Of the United States ought to encourage
the development of art at home by remov-
ing all unjust and unreasonable restrictions.
Americans Of means who desire to add to
their collections from the rich store of
Europe's art works ought not to be fined
for importing pictures. They should be
able to bring home with them, without the
monstrous tax Of 20 per cent ad valorem,
paintings by old masters and contemporary
artists, for the advancement Of American
art, as we'll as for their own satisfaction.
All that is accomplished by the duty on art
is to shut out from this country paintings
which would be added to American collec-
tons If there were no tax. In many cases
Americans who buy abroad keep their pur-
chases abroad, in countries where govern
ments pursue more liberal and enlight-
ened policy. None of the artists who are
exhibiting in Washington needs or desires
protection from old modern masters.
They do desire most earnestly that the
duty on art be repealed, SO that the best
works of art In Europe may find place In
American collections, and the American ar
fist may thus secure benefits at home
which under present conditions he can only
obtain abroad.