New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-15
TO ACT In ART CASE
". T. EVANS INDIGNANT.
Hill Begin Proceedings against
an Art Dealer To-day.

What promises TO be the most sensational
scandal ever unearthed in the field of American
art Will be made public property to-day when
William T. Evans, Of Montclair. y. j, art con-
roisseur and collector and donor Of numerous
PAINTINGS TO public institutions viii begin pro-
oeedings against a we'll known art dealer of this
city. in connection with three pictures which
Mr.. Evans said he purchased from him in 1903.
Two OF these pictures were bought as the
vo.az Of the late Homer d Martin and as
from the brush Of the late George Inness Mr..
Evans gave all three paintings the National
Gallery Of Art, but a few months ago decided
TO investigate the history Of the three canvases.
With the result that he has withdrawn them. He
said last night:
Among the first fifty paintings by American
artists which formed part Of my gift to the
National Gallery Of Art and which, pending
Congressional action for the establishment OF a
suitable building. now on exhibition in the
Corooran Gallery at Washington. were TWO pict-
ures bearing the name Of the late Homer D Mar
tin and third picture bearing the name of the
late George Inness. They had been in my pos
session for several years and had been repeated
IL exhibited in public All three are intrinsically
beautiful. They had received the praises OF the
most accomplished critics and there was rea-
son TO doubt that they were the genuine work
Of the artists named
''RzlnlorS however obtained circulation few
months ago which cast such doubt upon the au-
thenticity OF these three pictures that Instituted
an investigation TO learn their history As a
result Of that Investigation I felt it incumbent
upon ne TO recall the three pictures referred to.
Fortunately I had attached to my gift the con-
dition that I might withdraw any of the pict-
ures which might not stand the test Of time and
Substitute others IN their places The three pict-
xs-sr1o
drawn from the National Gallery Of Art and are
now IN my possession. ] have already purchased
and sent 10 Washington in place Of those with
drawn two excellent examples. unquestionabiy >
genuine. % the work Of the late Homer D. Mar
Tin and the question Of the substitution Of an
authentic example of the work Of the late
George Jnres for the picture attributed TO him.
which has been withdrawn, viii have my atten-
ion in due season. Several examples OF his
work are among my gifts 20 the nation, Whlch
~ amount 20 sixty-nine pictures n all and
to.Thich I an adding from time TO time
The three pictures which have been with
drawn were purchased by me in 1903 from an
art dealer Of New York City The subject is In
the hands Of my counsel, Frank R Lawrence
for advice and action Any steps which may
take vii be purely 10 elicit the truth
Nr Evans was reticent last night IN going
into the details of the case, but he Vouchsaleo
the information that dozens Of private art coi-
lectors had been "'stung," as he termed H. IN the
same fashion as himself Asked |heleF tHe
complaint in the suit which he VIII HE uo-oaS
viii mention the name Of any ARTIST as tle a.
legged painter Of the pictures which were so-u
az the work Of other artists, MI Evans salo liIa
no artist would be implicated
Asked how much he had paid for the ultee
paintings which he now believes to be forgeries'
Ar Evans said he did not care to menuoh l'le
exact sum. but added that IL was several thou
sand dollars" He also said il was common talk
among the studios that the work was that OF
certain present day artist. but he refused TO
oivilge the name Everything viii come out In
Cue time" said Mr.. Evans.