The New York herald., 1922-11-11
American Art
Opens Fine Neu
Galleries Up Town
Brilliant Reception TO Dedi-
cate Madison Avenue Build
ing-Mr. Kirby Speaks.

New galleries OF tie American Art
"A Association, Madison avenue from Fifty
sixth to Fifty-seventh street, were
formally opened to the public yesterday.
There was large attendance ut the
reception, including most OF the people
prominent in the art world. and all OF
them appeared TO be deeply impressed
not only by the beauty Of the rooms but
by the scientific perfection Of the ar
rangenents for the public comfort 1t
was generally agreed that the establish
rnent is one or the finest Of its kind IN
fhe-world
The entrance hall and corridors have
been planned in a renaissance style ana
finished IN pale Caen stone 10 provide
~ suitable background for tapestries and
hangings, but yesterday they provided
q background for the masses of gorgeous
flowers sent TO Mr., Thomas Il. Kirby
president OF tho association.
Most OF the new great galleries are
hung with the rich red velvet SO familiar
TO frequenters of the original rooms on
Madison Square and which seems to adj
mirably suit itself 10 the paintings
shown against II. Some of tho lesser
galleries are hung in gray velvet and
the rooms that are TO be given over TO
the display OF books have stin another
wall covering.
In all these rooms the utmost inge-
nuity has been expended in providing
perfect methods of exhibiting objects of
art. Not only have all the best modern
ideas for galleries been incorporated but
many new principles of lighting have
been employed for the first time. and
az du1r r~f4
astic approval OF the experts.
The public in general viii readily APP
preciate the noble proportions OF the
rooms and the happy decorative effects
given by the varied floor levels and
beautiful stairways, but Will not be apt
to realize unassisted the extraordinary
care taken by the architects and engi-
neers to insure a perfect lighting upon
pictures to be shown. Not only have
the old-fashioned hanging lights been
abolished but the artificial illumination
has been arranged SO that it falls
evenly upon the pictures instead OF
gradually fading out as ii reached the
level of the eye.
The daylight is still more artfully con-
trolled. The light will not shine directly
into the rooms, but q system of hidden
deflectors viii send the light evenly to
the different walls without in the least
interfering with the natural light that
descends vertically into the rooms. And
even this vertical Hight is further ac-
cented by central panels OF prismatic
glass in the ceiling sash.
The eliminating point or interest PES
terday was the assembly sales room.
This. aesthetically, has been considered
An especial success. 1t ss-finely proper
toned, decorated simply and charm
ingly, and seems to be exactly the right
size for the assemblies that take place
at the American Art Association sales
There Is comfortable balcony. which
doubtless will be preempted at the sales
l,y the great art dealers of the city. and
"a handsome stage hung with green
velvet curtain. The point that was un-
certain about IL was the acoustics. but
yesterday they We're uiumphantly
tested.
The architect, J. ID. LELAND. spoke:
member of the Cauldwell- Wingate Build
ing Company spoke. Gustavus Kirby
spoke, and finally Thomas E.s Kirby
himself spoke. The gigantic structure,
Gustavus r. kirby said, ne planned as
"a monument TO his father, and as he
told OF his desires for the building his
4voice was tinged with emotion, an emo
ton that most Of the guests seemed to
'slare.
Tho American Art Association IS
much more than a great business enter
Prise. It has had so much TO do with
forming the public taste in matters of
art and in forwarding the fame Of
native artists that for years the entire
art world has felt as though It were
cooperating with the association and
were part of 1t. This feeling was ap-
parently uppermost in the mind of Mr..
Kirby. ST.. who responded by speaking
IL an entirely intimate strain and as
though TO old friends OF the chief points
In the history OF the American Art As
ISOLATION and IN his own. long career.
He was greeted with hearty cheers. and
as he was heard easily by the crowded
assembly the acoustics OF the new room
wore voted to be as successful as all the
other arrangements Of the new edifice.