The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-03-23
rae ACADEMY,
Mr.. VIII n. Lew DeTads and ExtOls II and
"Ih Prsssat ExhibltiOn.

= genial capacity for lmpartinE mislnfoTmA-
tion on the part Of the writer Of the two
SphGhtly articles In TIE BUS rSviSWinG the
annual exhibition Of the Academy. he has
nevertheless laid the p~artlAAnS Of that ven.
cradle institution under . debt Of gratitude.
for the articles are Of q character that will
attract people 10 the exhibition and by SWELL
Ing the gate reosipts Lessen the load which
each year the exhibition account dsnolt shows.
But mot by way Of argument, almply telling
you, permit me 10 correct one or two mis-
statements, The exhibition 10 . coed one,
a. good ~ others given under the same aus
pices, though lees good than the 'saohems OF
the inner council could provide II larger
facilities for exhibition we're placed at their
disposal. Less good probably than the next
exhibition, not only because Of the fact that
our artists. young and old, follow the path OF
progress, but for the reason that the devotion
Of one Of the three already restricted gal
leres Will be devoted 10 sculpture, 1t last
giving due space. In the measure Of the pos
sible, to . branch Of art TO which the Aoad-
emy's all embracing title. OF The lrta Of design,
commits II, and automatically restricting the
choice Of the Jury Of selection 70 fewer pio-
lures. II goes without saying that the smaller
the number Of works elected the better an
exhibition can be made. The Academy, de-
handing larger galleries. desires 10 make is
exhibitions more representative and oom-
prehehslve Of the ART product Of the entire
country; but this does not necessarily entail
. larger selection Of easel pictures, but
rather that thee and other exhibits may be
more satisfactorily displayed, Any one visit
ing the old and new salons displayed under the
same roof Of the PalAls dee Champs-Elys6es
49, - . ia.a. A.. a1@.Ga anlawaA hT
the Sool6t6 Rationale dee Beaux-Arts over
its older competitor by the separation be-
tween the works shown, the carpeted and
decorated galleries and the grouping Of
/ sympathetic exhibits. In the old salon, the
SOoiete des ATtigtes Franoais, pictures are
piled one upon the other. their frames ttuoh-
ing, and dlscordanoe snsues, though the quail
ity Of the works exhibited differs little from
that Of those shown by its more progressive
neiRhbor.
But the Academy this year shows but little
new blood, no more THAI 10 usual with the
annual growth Of new exhibitor, and no
departure from the policy that 1t has pursued
since its union with the Society Of American
Artists brought all our producing artists
under one banner. On the contrary there
are q larger number Of AoademiciAns eXhib-
ltlnE than Ia usual. The grouping upon one
wall. which your critic 10 pleased 10 call an
Grchical, brings together In one place the
works Of men heretofore adequately repre-
sented In the exhibitions by the action Of
the jury, and this may be an advantage 10
them or the contrary-opinions differ. The
extension upon the Academy walls Of an
exhibition recently held at Macbeth's by
q group Of artists who in fairness must differ
with their friends upon the press a. TO their
grievances against the Academy, since their
availability for an exhibition In a dealers
gallery 10 the direct result Of their previous
admission by their brothers-theiT elder
brothers OF the Aoademy-into the guild OF
art, reflects at the most credit upon the
hanging committee for gathering these here
tofore scattered works upon one wall, where
their merits, previously Endorsed by the
Jury Of selection, may be more easily APP
preciated,
Gratitude Ia therefore due to this jury, and
might be welcome; for other juries Of pre-
vlous exhibitions constituted in precisely the
sam manner. virtually composed Of the same
men, and eVinoinE an equal amount OF In
formed oatholicity Of Judgment, have received
but little. A measure Of this gratitude might
rightly be bestowed upon Mr.. Harrison 3.
Morris, though the role assigned him by
your critic must excite that Rentlemanis
hIlarity. The Academy has. a. in other years,
a regularly constituted committee Of solicit
tation. whose duty Il Ia to supplement the
work Of the jury by inviting the exhibition Of
notable works Of art which would not other
wise find their way to our exhibitions. That
this COMMITTEES has profted by the wide knowl-
edge OF Mr.. Morris as to the direction in which
its quest might be fruitful Ia probable, and
the exhibition may to this extent have prof
tied by his eItraneous service,
To an institution. unique in this country,
governed by artists. which has been and Ia
entirely competent 10 conduct It's exhibitions
and It's schools, your critics assumption that
Mr.. Morris lie the organizer Of a new regime"
betrays a lack OF knowledge Of the relations
existing between the Academy and MI. Morris.
No action OF the Academy OF recent years
has shown q more progressive spirit or
greater perception Of the growth Of Ito field
Of activity than the engagement Of Mr., Morris
and his election as q lay chairman Of its ways
and means committee. Acting in conso-
nance with the council Of the Academy. COM
posing this committee, II Ia expected that
MIR. Morris's experience, judgment, and above
all his whole souled devotion to the cause
Of American art, will hasten the day when
New York will appreciate its need Of an ade-
auate building for q comprehensive eXhl-
bltion OF our current art. Thus Mr.. Morris
| Ia himself an -%oficial, " and the volleys Of his
New York campaign will not be directed
ssalnst an institution with whose purposes
he Ia In entire sympathy, That these pur-
poses are unselhsh, that the Academy takes
its place at the head OF this movement with
a desire not 10 control but to associate with
- --.zNGNlAA.a - The a1Na L. eA.g-
largest sense, and Of the entire country, should
appeal to every American. The present ex-
hlbltlon IA perhaps the best demonstration Of
Its artistic fitness for the task, though II is
only a partial exposition OF the entire artis-
tic strength OF its membership as II exists
to-day, and purposely all numerical limita-
ton Of ia members has been abolished In
lis desire 10 recruit new talent, while upon
the administrative or executive side the
accumulation and conservation Of q fund
suficient for the administration Of such q
building demonstrate its cApablity.
Therefore your critics confession that
with the best will in the world be could
not enliven bis somewhat arid task Of reCur-
rent description by abusing the present Acad-
envy show seems TO the optimistic mind TO
be Of rood augury. A hitler and older New
York was once very proud Of Ito Academy Of
Design. and Of liz beautiful Venetian pal
ace, which our citizens had helped Il 10 build.
Who knows? Perhaps the day IL near when
Greater New York will point with PRIDE
10 q new and greater building where will be
held exhibitions on which THE Sun will shine
for all Gnd-though this is stretching : point
even TIE EVENING Sun will beam APPROX
lnEly. WILL II. Low.
LAURENCE PARK. BronIVille. March IL.