Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-07
A R T N O T E S.

rent number Of the Scribners Magazine |
dcvotes its Field of Art department to
discussion of the founding OF " National
Museum of Art in Washington by Mr..
Will r. Low the well known painter and
writer Describing first the methods en-
pIoyed by both France and England in up
building their national art collections, Mr.. J
low points out the necessity for careful I
supervision and urges that before a monu-
mental building is erected authoritative
committee should be created in which both
amateur collectors and producing painters
and sculptors are represented in order that
the best may not be overlooked and the
worst accepted. Such a committee" he in
sists, will alone make the projected mu-
Scum n worthy national institution" Con-
tinuiug, Mr.. Low says that there has been
"daplorable lack OF interest in art in
Washington. and that while he believes that
a ContempOraneous exhibition, such as that
recently held by the COrcoran Gallery,
would profit In a measure a National Mu-
scum Of Art" he fears local control and
suEE SITS that representation In q control
ling committee should only be given to
Washington in common with every city
from Maine to California" That the ut
most care must be taken In the matter of
selection and the best expert judgment be
exercised in tn matter of control all are
agreed but il is gravely doubtful If ma
tional committee would accomplish this end.
The work Of art juries. both at the present
time and in the past. is not sufficiently sat
>isfaCtory or harmonious to lend confidence
favor TO this course. And why fear local
control? Washington is not a city to itself,
but part and PARCEL Of the whole land. 1t is
the city OF the nation. Evidently. also, Mr..
Low prrsuppoSes that the National Gallery
collection is to be upbuilt exclusively by pri-
vate gifts and is unaware that the institu-
tion has already legal status and organize
ton. To him apparently, the National Gal
lery is an idea rather than fact-a begin
ming made by Mr. Evans which In time may
bear fruit. for while speaking approximately
Of Mr. Evans gift he makes no mention of
the Harriet Lane Johnston collection or of
tn loan collections more recently installed.
OF certain paintings in the Evans cOllec-
ton Mr.. Low writes with enthusiasm, but
he makes no mention of contemporaneous
work. He does. however, commend the col
lection as a whole. and pay high tribute to
the service Mr.. Evans has rendered to
American art. "A more worthy outlet for
the energies of a convinced collector can
hardly be imagined" he says, than this
(referrng TO Mr.. Evans gft) and in each
work given Mr. Evans not only amplifies a
notable monument to his active participa-
ton in the 'gnOwth of our art, but by his ac-
ton dignfes the artist represented and our
painting as a whole
At the same time that the National Gal |
lery has been under discussion. Mr.. Clyde !
u. V. Hunt has been suggesting. through 7
the medium of the New Orleans Picayune. |
that the United States government set aside |
certain sum each year for the purchase |
of notable paintings by American artists. |
History shows" SAID Mr.. Hunt, that |
after "A nation becomes physically strong. |
has acquired territory and amasscd great |
wealth. its people turn their eyes to the |
arts. And IL is this epoch in peoples his |
tory that leaves its impression on humanity |
for all time, for posterity judges them from
the standpoint of what they accomplish by |
their art and literature.
Il I'm the papers not long ago that !
Senator Depew proposed that the American /
government erect a building in Paris at an /
expense of several hundred thousand ool- /
lars, where the American art students could |
live. This undoubtedly is good idea. but |
II appears to me that If the American gov
eminent wishes to foster art and create an |
artistic spirit in this country the first thing |
II should do would be to buy. at nominal |
figure. a certain number OF works of art ex- |
hibited at an annual salon In Washington
or New York, painted by living American |
artists. The sum. 5000, which Mr.. Hunt
names, is exceedingly nominal. but II is
surprising to consider how much such a
small amount might accomplish Mr. Low.
In the article previously referred to. points
out the way in which the works of certain
painters have enhanced in value since their
death, and il is only too true that by judi
cously purchasing the works of living art
lists, the government would not only be en-
Couraging their art but wisely investing its
money. In all probability neither this nor
Mr.. Lows suggestions will be Immediately
carried out but they open avenues OF
49,
quarters, - To show That the interest is
In reality widespread.
II is true. indeed. that in all parts of the
country interest in art-as arts awaken
Ing Museums are receiving rich endow
ments collectors are becoming more astute
and the general public more discriminating
But 1t should not be forgotten that all art
is not encompassed in painting-that sculp-
ture and architecture have a right to share
I'm the general consideration The COrcoran
Gallery in this city. and the Metropolitan !
Museum, IN New York. have fairly repre-
sentative collections of American sculpture |
the former COmprehendiHg chiefly the earlier
work. and the latter that which is conteIn- |
p"raneous. But beyond these. few public
museums have much 10 show. and the d.
rector OF one not long ago was heard to re-
mark. when chided on his collections pow
erty. that There really was not anything
worth having He had apparently over
looked Mr.. Saint Gaudens' Diana and
Puritan Mr.. MacNeifs Sun Vow and
Indian Chieftain." Mr.. Macmonn!es' Boy
and Heron" Mr.. Kenny's splendid animal
groups and Mr. BorEAum's horses besides
score which should be gratefully r.mem-
bered. Why Is Il that have few
good fountains, little important garden
statuary? ONLY because the public has dis
REGARDED To-" value of the small bronze and
demanded monumental work OF inferior
character. In art size is no factor-a small
thing may be quite as costly a large one
anu 'lUdI'S deserving OF It's price
Some time ago il was announced that the |
pujiic land covered by. or, more correctly |
covering, the filtration reservoirs was to be |
made into a public park and named after |
the late Senator Mcmillan. and that in this |
park the city of Detroit was to place TO the |
senator's memory a fitting monument or !
memorial 1t is not generally known how
ever. that Mr. McMillan's family contrib |
uted a sufficient sum TO have plan for the |
psEk made ny n noted landscape architect, |
and that Mr.. Charles L. Freer was made |
chairman OF the memorial committee. II |
was Mr.. Freer's intention at the time of |
his appointment 10 consult Mr.. Saint Gau-
dens In regard to this memorial. and though |
its character has not yet been definitely de- |
termined. II will not. II is understood, be a |
portrait statue.