Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-25

Election OF Joseph +. widener as presi-
dent OF the art jury revived the hope of
art connoisseurs today that the $4,000 600
art collection left by Mr. widener's father,
the late r. A. Il. widener, would soon be
turned over" to the public OF Philadel-
phia They also expect that the selection
OF MIR. wdener as head OF the art jury
will stimulate activity In the plans for the
great Philadelphia Art Museum which Is
to occupy "A site on tho Parkway.
Art lovers are confident that tho honor
conferred upon Mr.. widener yesterday will
not fail to increase his interest In the art
future Of Philadelphia, and that he VIII
spare no effort to enhance the prestige OF
Philadelphia as n great art center II IL
pointed out that It is within the power
OF Mr. Widcncr to make Philadelphia one
of the greatest world art centers by pre-
senting to the city the magnificent collection
left by his father
FUTURE FOR CITY
In other words. Philadelphia's art future
is virtually In the hands OF Mr. widener
and the art public is confident that he will
make that future bright.
His fathers will empowers Mr.. Widener
to give the art collection to museum
founded or to be founded in Philadelphia
and also to build an art museum, as shown
by this excerpt:
further give him authority to take
from my residuary estate such amount
shall deem necessary and proper Tor
the purpose of erecting proper build
ing for the housing OF said works OF
art and the endowment OF tho same 80
that they will be assured of proper care
and protection for all time.
That Mr.. widener is empowered to make
the gift during his lifetime Is SHOWN py
the following excerpt:
The power which l give to my son.
Joseph f.. widener, to give away any
or all of said articles and to erect and
endow n building for properly housing
the same may be exercised by my sara
son either by action in his lifetime or
by direction in his last Will ana testa-
ment.
AS president of the jury, Mr.. widener's
association with art will become more inti-
mate Art connoisseurs declare MT WideneI
will not fail soon to grasp the broader sig
niflcance of his position In the domain OF
art-the mower OF ITS wonderful influence
upon the people of the city, State and ma
tion.
Certain distinguished foreigners have OBJ
served with some degree OF contempt that
the American people as n whole arc sadly
lacking in artistic qualities; that they have
no conception of the worth OF the great
masters, and that they are as country
yokels when Il comes to estimating the
work of gifted artist.
MIR. WIDENER'S OPPORTUNITY
Said a noted Philadelphia art connolsseur
today:
"If Mr.. widener has not already Rwak-
ened to his opportunity, l believe that he
will soon do so, as he has in his hands
powerful instrument (his fathers 10000
600 colection) with which to exercise a
wonderful softening influence upon tho
American people.
"Heihas II within his power to lay an art
foundation in Philadelphia which would
a. inf thrpnQh0IIf IA
In short, Mr.. wldener Is in position to
confer public good which should fll the
heart of a patriotic American with JOY
am certain that he VIII not long be content
to have his fathers great collection segre-
gated in a private gallery, where Its In
fuence for public good is curtailed
"As president of the art Jury, 1 believe
Mr. Widener will now conceive tho broader
vision. He will gain an understanding
of what those wonderful Rembrandts,
Raphaels and Van Dycks in his collection
mean TO the artistic world Of America, He
will be able to see that the collection has
the power to stimulate art in America: II
placed at public disposal this collection has
the power to create better artists.
Americas appreciation of art Is at q
low ebb because we have not tho great gal
leries of Europe at close hand 10 draw upon
for inspiration. Mr.. Widener Is In po-
stlon to give Philadelphia gallery as
great as any in Europe. and l am sure ho
Will not neglect TINS opportunity OF HANlHB
a hand In the guiding OF future genera
tions."
Through his father. Mr.. Widener is close
ly allied to the art interests of PhilRdel-
phia. For twenty years the late r. A. b.
Widener was a member OF the Fairmount
Park Commission. He was keenly inter-
ested in the plans for the new art museum.
and many OF his ideas have been embodied
in those plans. The museum will cost more
than $4,0 0OO. 900 and will be ono or the most
artistic buildings in America.
In addition to paintings, the Widener col
lection contains pOrcelains, books, rare
tapestries, rugs and bric-a-brac. 1t Is estl-
mated that the Chinese poreelains and rare
peach blow" specimens are worth $1,000
600. Among the bronzes is a bust OF boy
from the Duke of MarlboTOugh's collection
and It Is said that great sum was paid
for this. as also for Morosini helmet.
The tapestries, many OF which are or the
Boucher period. cost large sums. The rare
books include the Gutenberg Bible. II is
said that the late Mr., Wldener paid $780,
600 for Rembrandt's 'Adilr and 100000