The sun., 1916-12-03
BATTLE or BUNKER HILL
~ N0hN HuWbUM
By JOHN WALKER HARRINGTON

THAI arrant Adullamite the Ma
tional Academy Of Design, Is to
celebrate this month the hun
dredth anniversary Of the first exhibit
ton OF paintings and sculpture held In
the city Of New York by the American
Academy Of Fine Arts.
This pioneer display gave the initial
recognition to the contemporary native
artist and inspired De Witt Clinton to
deliver a notable address on aesthetics.
The first thing Of its kind which this
country had had. 1t started that move
ment to which the city and the nation
v art associations. clubs. galleries
and great museums. 1t was the har-
binger Of an American Renaissance.
1t is n OF the ironies Of fate that
the National Academy Of Design. the
tactics OF the founders Of which helped
the ancient Academy I o a lingering
death. 10Y places upon an enemy's
tomb the laurel and the bay. How the
war OF art was waged between the two
IL a BUT " a IOTkOl-
ten strife which illustrates the adage
that the radicals Of one generation be-
come the conservatives Of the next.
The effort made a century ago has left
an ~inefaceable impress upon the ma
tional life. This IL the reason for the
reference to the centennial In connec-
ton with the winter exhibition of the
National Academy OF Design which on
December Is Is to be opened In the
Fine Arts Building at 2l5 West Fifty
seventh street.
A sycamore OF Tammany Hall was
the publicity promoter for the first ex-
hibition OF art. for Tammany In the
early days Of the last century was busy
about many other things besides poll
tics. II had its museum in City Hall
Park, and when that institution went
its way and most OF its belongings
were sold to p. T. Barnum the interest
o: John Pintard. Its chief friend. was
transferred to some other mean of
artistic expression.
The American Academy OF Fine Arts
came into being in 1902 and Mr.. Pin
tard at once attached himself to the
new institution. The Academy was in
corporated in 1908 under the laws of
this State. and Edward Livingston.
then Mayor of the city. became its first
president. His brother, Robert r. Liv-
i~ngston. the Chancellor. then Ambas-
sador to France, arranged to have
sent from Paris casts Of important
sculptures in the Louvre.
The casts were shown for a while in
a riding academy. a building on classic
lines known as the Pantheon from its
style OF architecture. 1t was In Green
w!ch street not far from Morris. The
art treasures were received with polite
curiosity by the people Of New York.
but there was 10 great enthusiasm
Later they were transferred to Gov
eminent House. a stately building
near Bowling Green which had been
erected as the official residence Of
Gen. Washington when President, but
never occupied by him because the
capital was removed to Philadelphia
about the time It was completed. The
attendance at the museum. which was
started under such distinguished aus
pices, war discouragingly small. The
casts were finally Grated and slowed
away under the store OF a Capt. Far
quhar In Vesey street.
Do Witt Clinton became the presi-
dent of the almost defunct Academy
In 1916. and he and a small group Of
public spirited citizens decided to put
new life into It. His chief ally was
DR.. David Hosack. q noted physician.
who became responsible for a loan Of
$500 to the Academy. DR.. Hosack u
popularity regarded a. the founder Of
Dsllevue Hospital. The almshouse.
which stood In Chambers street. had
been vacated and the paupers were
taken up to what u now Bellevue.
Through his influence largely the city
was persuaded TO give . floor In the
old Almshouss to the American
Academy Of Fine Arts. And here Wal
the cradle Of the art exhibitions OF to-
day.
Miss Howe IN her History of the