Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-09
Frederic Haskin's Letter
TAKING EURoPE's ART AWAY FROM HER

Similar bellows Of rage and dis
gust have also issued from German
ofiicial headquarters. where much
discussion has taken place con-
corning prompt and eflicacious
measures Of keeping Germany safe
for German art property. In order
t. educate the people to the neces-
sity Of such measures, and also
perhaps to make use Of its art
treasures before they have been
gobbled mp by foreigners, the mn-
n.cfpality Of Berlin, not long ago,
arranged for . travelling exhibition
OF paintings belonging to the city.
which formerly were practically
buried In departmental Offices. The
exhibit includes IS paintings,
chosen without regard to propa-
ganda or politics. but for their art
value alone, which are to be trans
ported all about the proletarian
districts of Berlin. thus carrying
art to the factories, the homes of
the working people, and to the
schools.
1t is admitted by those opposed
to the triumph Of American money
over European art that 1t would not
b, so bad if Americans had stuck
to their former method Of paying
large prices for bogus works of art.
That was different. Then they OBJ
f, tanned all the pleasure Of buying
g-eat masterpieces without incon-
veniencing Europe at all.
But now" complained a promi-
nent member OF a British art So
ciety recently. they want the real
thing. Your American collectors
have learned. They are now very
astute collectors, who know pre-
cisely what they want and can af-
word to pay the price for 1t. They
are vastly different from those who
used to come to buy our pictures
just to decorate the blank spaces
on their walls"
The days when whole factories IN
Europe were devoted to the manu-
facture of Reubens and Corots to
supply the demand Of American mil
lions are, indeed, gone. 1t can't be
done any more. Only recently, a
flood Of paintings by Cezanne at
tempted to deluge the art marke,
and was promptly checked after
three had been sold. The Cezanne
market is dead for some time to
come. An American collector must
be supplied with absolute proof be-
fore he will buy one Of them.
In fact, American art dealers
have become so very astute tina,
they will sacrifice real art treas
ures before they will take chance
on them. A New York art dealer
who has just returned from Eng
land tells, with some regret, fol-
example, Of an opportunity he miss
ed in London Of securing genuinG
Reubens. 1t was one of several old
masters recently discovered by 8
British rector, he said, in an old
unused room of his rectory. The
rector, according to the dealer:
story. had come upon this remark.
able room through an ancient slid
ing panel, which accidentally yield
ed to his touch, revealing a dark
dingy room that he had never sus-
pe:ted was a part of his home En-
tering the room somewhat gingerly
he had found the paintings. which
British art critics have subsequent.
ly declared to be genuine. One OF
them was a four-oak PLAGUE, GOV.
cred with years Of dust, which wher
brushed OF. revealed a perfect ex.
ample Of Reubens at his greatest
period.
at was a good story" remark.
ed the dealer dryly, but l have
heard plenty of that type before
Nevertheless, this particular one
happened to be true, and il I'd be,
lieved 1t I'd have secured a great
bargain. They're asking $4,000
for it now.
i You know, that's what makes
} our business SO fascinating" con
} tinued the dealer ruminatively
"The chance in hundred that wei
get something genuine for little OF
nothing. That's why SO many O
us are practically European com
muters now. If we find only ont
J old master in a lifetime, it.
enough to make or double our for
tune.
Happen to know The Red Cap
one of the most important pictures
Of the late MIR. Frick's collection?
he asked. We'll. that picture wa
peddled through the streets of Lon
don only about ten years ago b.
some unknown tramp, who carrie,
it under his arm. wrapped in news
paper. He asked so pounds for i
and was laughed at. Finally, ST
Hugh Lane discovered it in ding,
London auction room, took it hom
and cleaned it, and found it was
Titan. Mr.. Prick bought it iron
him at stiff price.
But there isn't so much of tina
: any MORE" he concluded sadly. II
: We know what we're buying whel
, we go to Europe now, the collec
I tors over there also know wha
they're selling to us. And they ca
: howl about US going off with al
t their masterpieces; but, believe me
we pay for them"