Evening star., 1915-11-28

1THERE has been no little excite
II ment caused during the past
week by the suggested possibil-
ity of the great Widener collection
coming eventually to this city. The
late P. A. B. Widener, who died No
vember 6, left the collection to his
son. Joseph E. Widener. but stated in
Ais will that it would be agreeable to
him should it eventually be given to
Philadelphia, New York or Washing
ton. The choice is left entirely to the
present owner, who may also, If he
wishes, disperse the collection at any
time.
In all probability no decision will be
made for some time. Philadelphia has
long entertained the belief that this
collection, as well as the one assembled
and owned by John G. Johnson Of that
city, would eventually become the
property of the municipality. Plans
have been made for some time for a
municipal gallery, but for some rea-
son they have not been carried out.
Philadelphia is very conservative and
does not always welcome change.
The Pennsylvania Academy of the
Fine Arts in Philadelphia Is the old
est art institution in this country and
the exhibitions held under its auspices
are probably the finest. From the
school of the academy have come
large number Of our foremost artists.
Thus Philadelphia has made large con-
tribution to the upbuilding of Ameri
can art.
Philadelphia also has the distinction
of being the only city in the country
with a meuseum Of industrial art. And
in "
the largest and supposedly the best
school of industrial art in the United
States. 1t has other art schools and
among its citizens are distinguished
architects, painters, sculptors and IL
Illustrators.
Yet Philadelphia is by no means an
art center and the interest in art in
Philadelphia seems less keen than in
many smaller cities. While other
cities have been making rapid prog
ress in this field, Philadelphia has
stood practically still 1t has no great
public art museum: it is doing next to
nothing to reach the masses, transient
exhibitions do not go there; there are
few dealers in art: the market is very
limited.
IT was undoubtedly these facts which
suggested to Mr.. Widener the possible
adVisability of placing his collection
between New York and Washington.
New York. because of it's enormous
population and its lively interest in
art; Washington, because of It's ma
tional character and its cosmopolitan
changing population. New York al
ready has its great art gallery, to
which additions will constantly be
made. The nation has as yet but the
beginning of a great national collec-
ton. The fact that this is the seat
of the national government brings to
this city persons from all over the
United States. as well as from other
countries. That which makes Wash
ington difficult city in which to
shifting population-makes 1t an ideal
city in which to diffuse knowledge.
The Library Of Congress is visited by
an average of over 1000 persons a
day, the majority Of whom are from
out of town
The erection of the Library Of Con-
gress in 1897 has led to a renaissance
| of mural painting in this country and
new and better type of public build
ings. The park commissions plan for
the development of this city along ar
| tistic lines has given impetus to city
| planning not only all over the United
States but in Europe as we'll What
ever Washington may not be, it GER
tainly is great distributing center
! for ideas.
! Mr.. Freer realized this when he de-
termined TO deed his splendid art col
lection to Washington. So also did
|
| collection of American paintings. The
| latter is now housed temporarily in
! the National Museum. for the former
a special building will be erected
/ through the further benefcence of the
| donor. Some day Congress will make
| suitable provision for a national gall
! lery or museum of art worthy of the
1 nation.
! That 1t has not done so already is
not reason for reproach nor despair
! England established her national gal
| lery less than one hundred years ago
and beside England we are very
J young nation. 1t Is within the mem
/ ory of many living today that the first
equestrian statue ever modelled In this
| country was erected. But the time
has passed when art in this country
was regarded as q luxury. We have
| come within the past few years to
| recognize II as a necessity--a neces-
| sity OF finer living. Outing the last
year we have come to realize more
| than ever before, perhaps, the real
value of art to nation. industrially
| and culturally-in the making of finer