The San Francisco call., 1909-12-31
ART EXHIBITION
PLANNED FOR
BIG EXPOSITION
Thomas B. Walker, Noted Con-
nOisseur, Suggests Scheme
and Pledges Support
Greatest Collection of Fine
Paintings World Has
Ever Seen

t4uis1l SpeSlllQ on Nklli nave as lIle nu-
eIeus of its art exhibit the magnificent
collection of Thomas B.. Walker of
Minneapolis. distinguished as one of
the finest private art. collections in ex-
fstenee. is a fact. already practically
assured by Walkers own suggestion
and by his enthusiastic interest in the
exposition plans.
Promise OF active participation by
the multimnlionaire lumber king in
bringing together such an art exhibit
for the exposition.as would be not only
one OF the greatest features of the fair
but also one Of. the best collections ever
assembled in any part of the world
was contained IN a letter from him re-
.ceived yesterday by the exposition COM
nittee and reafirmed in a statement
which he made last night at the home
Of his son in Piedmont
WOULD ATTR ACT ART LOVERS
The suggestion made by Walker
with has pledge of personal support
was received by the committee as one
OF as great Importance and as deeply
significant Of the ultimate success of
the exposition as any single proposal
Yet made in connection with plans for
the fair. with the carrying out OF the
project for an art exhibit, as briefly
outlined last night by Walker. the coll
lection brought together in this city
in 1916 WOULD be such as to alone at
tract arr lovers frbm every part of the
world.
walkers letter 10 the exposition
committee was in acknowledgement OF
an invitation extended to him to be
eoine. a. member of, the committee on
. ways. and mea rs: which is to have gen
eraI direction and supervision of the
fair. While expressing his regrets at
rHe fact that continued absence from
the city robably would prevent him
from assuming such snare of work
-lle would feel responsible for as an ac-
i've member: of the committee. Walker
added that should the committee desire
his assistance in making and arranging
The art exhibit his services would be
81 its command. In this connection he
b. Aott-
It may be when il comes time to
plan the buildings and secure the
exhibits that ] might take part in
the art department, and IA securing
for this exposition the finest art
collection that has ever been put
Iogether IN an exposition, or, IN
and Importance that this should be.
% When IL comes TO organizing the
work in the different departments
I would be pleased 10 take up the
question OF the art department with
you and give you my views and
consider the question as to the part
that ] could take and the relation
ship which l would bear to ii.
% The art department would be at
20 least as much. II not more, than l
could undertake to become actively
connected with and i would feel
shat IL would take a considerable
amount of time. and responsibility.
The art department Of the eXposi-
tiDn is, or should be, regarded
the most important factor in max
ing il success. and from a very
considerable interest which 1 have
felt IN seeing this made a great
success. / would be glad to see
your committee give to this depart
ment that prominence and atten-
tiOn that viii make it the best art
exhibit ever put together.
NOTED ART CONNOISSEUR
Walker is known not only as a multi
millionaire timber and lumber king but
as one of the foremost art connoisseurs
Of the country, and the collection in his
private gallery in Minneapolis is ranked
with the foremost private collections of
the world Walkers active influence in
behalf Of the Panama. Pacific interna-
tionsl exposition undoubtedly would
interest other prominent art patrons
and secure for the fair extensive loans
from such noted collection as those of
J. Pierpont Morgan, James J. Hill and
other well known American and foreign
collectors.
Walkers own galleries have been
built up on the principle of not at
tempting TO secure large numbers of
pictures OF the greatest artists alone
but Of securing only the best works of
eli ~
works Of artists not so well known.
Zach picture in his collection stands
on its individual merit, and the collec-
tiOn contains treasures from the oldest
as wei as the newest centers of the
worlds civilization. His galleries in
Minneapolis have always been open TO
the public and bear the distinction of
being practically the only galleries in
the world open At all times absolutely
without charge of any kind.
What part might take in assisting
in making the art collection and ex-
hibit for the exposition is a matter that
must rest with the exposition COM
rnittee" said Walker last night 'Of
course, If ] should take an active part
in the work 7 would fell It my duty TO
assist personally TO the greatest pos
sible extent could not ask others to
make extensive loans OF the finest
works unless 1 gave what could from
my own collection
I believe that there is an oppor-
funity to bring to this exposition. de-
spite the western location OF San Fran
cisco, the finest art collection that has
ever been brought together at any fair
and such an exhibit can and should
be made the greatest feature of the
exposition The mistake that has al
WAYS been made is that exposition col
lections have contained great numbers
OF mediocre works Of art together with
some OF the best.
ONLY BEST EXHIBITS
The Keynote of the exhibit here
should be 10 have IT contain only the
best and completely eliminate from
the collection everything of the medi-
ocre class There is the opportunity
ana the time ahead TO do this II
sehouid be begun by the erection of
galleries designed to properly dis
NAV such a collection No matter how
fne an exhibit may be, il will lose
much of its value unless proper light
sS1 and hanging facilities are provided.
10 exposition that ] know Of has ever
~ NJ "a