New-York tribune., 1919-03-31
George Bellows and Robert
Henri Lead Movement
for Change in System
of Selecting Art Works
Clash Due at Next Meeting
Insurgents Say "Old Guard
Now in Control Are Apt
TO Oppose Newer Spirit

Revolution is brewing within the Ma
tional Academy of Design, the estab-
lished hierarchy of American painters
and sculptors. The old order of gov
eminent is openly challenged. Peti-
tons talking of democracy in painting,
and more especially in the hanging of
paintings, are in circulation The word
"Bclshevism" is being flung at the in
surgents by the "old guard and a
clash is set for the next meeting of
academy members on April Q.
The issue Is the jury system fol-
lowed IN selecting paintings and sculpt-
ures for the annual exhibitions at the
academy galleries, in West Fifty-sev-
enth Street. The insurgents say it is
the representative character, the au-
thenticity of the academy as an official
expression Of American art, that is at
stake. The campaign of the insurgents
is being led by George Bellows and
Robert Henri two men almost as well
known for their insurgent abilities as
for their skill as painters, assisted by
Jonas Lie, whose name long has been
familiar to all gallery frequenters.
The Insurgents Contention
The contention OF the faction for
whom these men are spokesman and
whose informal committee is nominally
headed by Childe Hassam is that the
National Academy OF Design has long
since ceased to be the representative
exponent of the true spirit of American
art its founders intended it should be.
They cite their own critical opinions
and those of art writer's"
This condition, say the insurgents,
is deplorabe. 1t is an Indictment,
I'M Of ct1rpO sod lr NJ O
tive organism which is, as matter of
fact, existing in country fairly burst
ing with new, vigorous artistic talent
For several years. they point out, this
talent, because of the attitude Of the
Academy, has been forced to seek ex-
hibition space outside of the West
Fifty-seventh Street galleries. But
this condition, they assert, is almost
as unfortunate for the artists con-
cerned as for the supposedly repre-
sentative Academy. For she good Of
art and the fair repute of the nations
culture, they insist, these two must be
brought together and made one-the
new, vigorous artists and the old, and
as they say, staid Academy. Hence the
new jury scheme.
Present System Criticised
AS outlined in the petition now in
clrcuiaClOn, this Scneme makes every
juror an absolute, untrammelled die
tator in his own domain. The present
system calls for the election of thirty
men to act as jurors. These men pass
on all pictures submitted, majority
votes determining which works shall
be accepted and hung.
But this" said Mr.. Bellows yester-
day, sis merely putting a premium
upon mediocrlty. 1t simply means that
the pictures which nobody dislikes very
much, in other words the more or less
lnnocuous pictures, are going to get
In. Great paintings, paintings of even
noticeable merit, are apt to be paint
1ngs which some people prize verv
ardently and which other people lust
as ardently detest.
The old line artists who are in con-
troll of the Academy now are ant to
aetest the work Of the newer men.
They set themselves up TO say what
should be the spirit of American art.
and then try TO come as near that as
they can, without any regard to what
actually is the spirit Of American art
Features of New Scheme
Now, OF course, we could meet them
IN an open fight on this question. but
We prefer 10 let all varieties of opinion
and expression have their outlet. That
IS the spirit of this era and this na-
ton. And 20 what we propose is 70
let eacn man on the jury make an alb