The sun., 1908-04-26

NI1 haDI B II1 noI0t H.I u.
bib, and f1al Wnl alI there va To 4
We sent collections all over The world
and held exhibitions here 20 shON people
that we've got the goods. No one was
In charge Of the rooms as watcher. II
hasn't been necessary, for In all these years
not thing has been taken from these rooms.
II sounds Ike madness, but It's really based
on sound common sense.
We decided that we should have to 60
ahead not only in behalf Of photography
but Of everything individual in order to
break down the barrier between photog-
raphy and other mediums. But We waited
contentedly.
-0ne day a young girl came struggling
IN here with a portfolio under her arm.
She ask ed IL Mr.. Stiegltz we're In, and being
very busy ! first answered hastily, No.
I'm not But ! came around the next
moment and told her she could show me
her work. Well, | was amazed.
Have you had an exhibition ask ed.
NO, came the reply They said they
were afraid
THAT was the sign for me. | applied
one more test.
Did you ever hear Of Stieglitz before'
mo, never
Good I replied. You're honest; come
ahead
Il told her that she must expect nothing
from an exhibit In our rooms, that no at
tempt would be made 10 sell but that she
might put a price on things II any one
wanted 20 try.
-Our first exhibitor was Miss Pamela
Smith Of London and New York, and being
almost unknown az that time, the rooms
remained empty for week. Then promi-
nent critic wrote an enthusiastic column
about her work and the place was jammed.
EveFW ain ola thing waa aOld and rnIiOh 10
my amusement half the people who came
announced that they were Miss Smiths
friends and discoverers.
'The art institutions now sat up and said,
What does this mean? Are you trying TO
enter the field professionally But We
assured them that We In no sense intended
to rival them, that We merely wished TO
bring 10 deserved notice the things which
they could not or would not exhibit. Since
our rooms are small we have always made
a speciality Of the little, intimate things that
would be lost in the larger galleries.
"Stechen, believing in this thing Just
as | did, furthered the movement abroad.
Among other people he interested Rodin
in the work, and Rodin sent us for exhibition
a series Of his drawings. This was the
first Rodin exhibit in America. and IL created
such jealousy that reporters began coming
around TO ask whether they were real or
only copies,
Edward j. Steiohen is at present the
mainstay Of the movement for the false
reason that he is at the same time famous
painter OF course this should make no
real difference, hut II is true that people
arc moro willing to believe in Photography
as an artistic medium when they see an
artist who has other recognized means OF
expression making use OF IT,
Are we going to continuel OF course
doubts as to the benefit Of our work do
come TO us, but we are going TO continue
the fight as long as people need Us,
just then Mr.. Stiegitz was interrupted
by the entrance Of smooth shaven. business
type Of man who asked il there was any
thing TO do. When he received negative
reply no went out saying that he would
drop in again.
"Now. that's the sort Of thing that makes
us keep on. Mr.. Stieglitz continued. There
is a Standard Oil magnate who is glad to
come in here and tie up bundles because
he can't do anything else to help along the
cause. As long as we can do that TO the
American business man | don't think We
are working for nothing,
Just as physicians take care OF peoples
bodies, we try TO take care Of their minds
80 that they may live in the fullest sense Of
the word II we do this we shall realize all
that we are striving for