New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-02
Long Head Of Academy of De-
sign, He Found New York Dis
couraging Field for Art.

Roy Academy OF F4Ne RAtN' "a dit'i-'
whore he received medal for drawing.
From Munich Mr.. Alexander Joined
a band of young Americans at Polling.
an upper Bavarian village, and spent
eighteen months painting. From there
he followed Duyeneck 20 Venice. where
he come in contact with Whistler, and
afterward 90 Florence. There he spent
two years Of study and teaching and
then returned 10 his native shores.
one Of his early successes on this
side was his portrait Of Thuriow
Weed. the first of number OF strong
portraits. lie was especially fortunate
in his sitters. among whom were Walt
Whitman, Joseph jefferson. Oliver
Wendell Holmes, John Burroughs, Al
phonse Daudet and Robert Louis Stew
enson. The portrait Of Walt Whitman
now hangs in the Metropolitan Mu-
scum Of Art.
Aexaudcr's portraits were always
pictures. Aside from the likeness.
which sitter and the public demand.
be concerned himself with the compo-
sition Of line and color as deeply az
If ne were painting an ideal concep-
ton. Even his most realistic pictures.
therefore, have q certain style and the
same pictorial qualities. as. for ex-
ample, his imaginative figure Of
Kcats's heroine, Isabella, which the
Boston Museum Of Arts possesses.
Health Failed in 1891.
In 1891 the artists health broke
down and again he went abroad, visit
ing Spain. Morocco. Holland, Germany
and England. Two years later he sent
three portraits Of women 20 the Champ
1 = rrrko h.afF
received instant and marked recoGni-
ton. Most Of his paintings have been
produced since his second residence IN
Europe.
The painter was siCnally hOnored in
1898 by the French government, which
purchased his Salon painting of that
wear for the Luxembourg Gallery. The
canvas, "The Green Bowl woman
examining a piece Of antique pottery
is study in monochrome, notable for
its strong craftsmanship expression
of character and the delicate grada-
lions of its color scheme. The artist
was later made chevaier Of the
Legion d'Honncur lie is represented
also in art collections at Petrograd and
Odessa.
Mr. Alexander received the generous
>
six luncttes in the Congressional Ii
brary, at Washington. mural paintings,
entitled "The Evolution Of the Book
They are generally admitted TO be
among the most original, artistic and
appropriate works adjoining that build
| ing.
Among his best known works are
"The Woman in Gray" Pandora
"Repose," Woman Reading" The
! Mirror" PORTRAIT of Nine. B." and
The Yellow Girl" He had exhibited
: in almost every American and foreign
city. and was a member OF a large
number Of societies both az home and
abroad He belonged to the Societe
. Rationale de Paris, the Secession Ma
tioual Exhibition, Of Munich, and the
Society Of Austrian Painters.
Decried New York Provincialism.
4 Feeling that such cities rs Pitts
burgh. ST. Louis. Chicago and Philadei-
phia were ahead of New York IN their
appreciation of art and active interest
in exhibitions, Mr.. Alexander always
decried this city's provinciallsm IN re-
gard to the larger artistic movements
Of the rest of the world.
When retiring from the presidency
of the National Academy of Design
this wear he is quoted as saying: Il am
tired. that's all The work has been
discouraging because OF the lack or
help by our city 20 obtain suitable
site for exhibition galleries. Every
body knows Of our unsuccessful efforts
10 secure various sites
lie received the honorary degree o.
A. VI. from Princeton in 1905 and LIT,
y. i'm 1909. lie was q member Of the
international Society Of Sculptors,
Painters and Gravers, London; Society
Of Mural Painters, Society Of American
Artists. Architectural League, Ere
Arts Federation and the Fine Arts So
c.ety New York.
lie was awarded gold medal at the
Paris Exposition Of 1900 and At 81
Louis in 1904; the Temple Gold Medal
Pennsylvania Academy Of Fine Arts
1897, and again in 1903.
In 1857 he married Elizabeth Alex
ander. They had one son. James W
Alexander. %. Mr. Alexander was also
a member of the Century Association
and the Metropolitan and Union clubs
Of this city.
Tributes from Associates.
Robert W. de Forest. president OF
the Metropolitan Museum of Art. re-
ferring 20 the death Of Mr.. Alexander,
said: "His death is great natlonaI
loss. not only as an artist, but because
he was one Of the most public-spirlted
and valuable men in the cause OF ART.
He was a member OF the board OF trus,
tees Of the Metropolitan Museum OF
Ar ard an active member of several
of its most important committees, IN
Gliding the executive committee. lie
was also a valuable and efficient mem
ber Of the board Of managers OF the
American Federation OF Art
Edward Robinson, director OF the
METROPOLITAN. said: "He gave 70 the
afrqirs Of the museum the same CON
scientious attention that characterized
all his public services. He not only at
tended meetings Of the trustees and
the committees. on which he served
with devotion regularly, even when at
times 10 was evidently a great EFFORT
for him TO do so, but ne was always
ready 20 administer help whenever he
was called upon. During the time he
served on our board he was one Of its
most useful trustees. His sound judg-
mcnt and broad interest In American
art made his opinion Of great value 20
us. and il was with VI versal regre,
shat We took leave Of him az the last
meeting he attended o. trustee. His
d,n,h Is great loss 20 the world OF
art and 90 me as a friend"
A Augustus Healy. president Of the
Brooklyn Museum. added 70 the genera
feeling OF regret al the loss to Ameri-
can art
/ Harry W Watrous. secretary o. Tho
/ National Academy of Design, insisted
that Mr. Alexander was still president
Of the academy al the time Of his death
J. Alden Weir, who Is now in Cali