The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-06

TT DIDN'T take US very many minutes
to make important changes In the con-
tract. We decided then hat II would be
advisable TO weed out OF the collection
at once objects that were not really OF
the finest aesthetic quality. The sugges-
ton WAS made. and I agreed to II. to
transfer to the Government by actual
sale for a nominal consideration, sub
ject to certain conditions which were
mutually agreed upon. the objects which
might survive the rigid inspection OF ex-
perts.
sUnder these conditions ! could add to
the collection but could never take away
from II. Thu transfer OF about 1900 art
objects was then made by actual sale
mot recently as stated a day or two ago
by a New York newspaper. Annually
since then other acquisitions hav been
given TO the Government. 80 hat to-day
tho collection embraces over 1000 10
jects. This collection and the building
which will house II will constitute ar an
mex to the National Gallery OF Art.
The collection will remain In my
possession until after the proposed build
Ing n completed. although II Is now the
property OF the Government. and I have
the right to o any part OF II that l
may desire. There are now about
twenty Ministers and a dozen Tryons
belonging to the collection at the
Panama-Pacifc Exposition at San Fran
cisco. I have frequently loaned objects
belonging 10 the collection 20 museums.
universities and art associations in
America n Europe.
MY plan row IL to begin as soon as
possible the cre~tion OF a building ut
Washington for tho housing of the col.
lection. Charles A. Plat OF New York
is designing the structure. When the
building In finished the collection will be
taken there and the Government will
take charge in perpetuity."
Room for Each Department.
MI. Frear refrained from giving a de-
tailed description OF the plans. but ex-
planned that each department OF his COL
lection will have rooms Of Its own. The
main galleries will be or the second floor.
in the centre Of which will be a beautiful
garden or rest room. Only a part of the
collection will be on exhibition AT one
time. the other art objects being kept
on the fint floor OF the building. where
they will be accessible 10 students. II Is
a part OF Mr.. Freer's plan to have the
objects on exhibition changed frequently
In order that the art loving public may
always find something Of fresh interest
In the exhibition galleries.
A big feature OF the building Will be
the rooms for students. The idea OF
a%ffording opportunities for student work
is one OF the keystones Of Mr.. Freers
plan for the enlightenment OF the public
in matters of art.
Every object in the collection Is Mr.,
Freer's W personal selection. Wherever
It was possible to get the opinion OF eN'
perts concerning the merit OF "A thinr
that appealed to him he has done 81,
and he has been thirty years enjoying
the satisfaction OF discovering art OBJ
jects hat experts agree are worthy OF
a place in Uncle Sans national museum,
II am extremely careful what ] give
to the Government" Mr.. Freer said. 81
have go to know as fully as possible
what ! am giving before ] give Il: but
many years will go by before even the
so-cailed experts Of America and Europe
will be properly qualified TO judge Asian
art accurately
Mr.. Freer has left to other collectors
the gathering together OF art objects
| from European countries and has limited
| his activities 10 Far Eastern, Near East
ern, Egyptian and American art. ths
art that has O appealed to him.
Mr.. Freer Rays that he Is satisfied that
the Chinese department Of his collection
contains the things Of the greatest
aesthetic interest and OF the highest edu-
c~ational value.
Art search In China.
He was the first American To believe
THAT any fine ancient paintings were left
in China and TO MAKE search for them In
| interior centres. lie said: For years
went to Japan believing. ~ did others,
that practically all the ancient Chinese