Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-04-09
SHOWS INTEREST IN PLAN
TO FOUND ART GALLERY
Says People Should Rise Up
and Build Receptacle for
Pictures.
DECLARES GIFT Is WONDERFUL
Embarrassing 10 Think Stntc Would
HIVE Lost Group Hut for Courtesy
and Public spirit OF Directors OF
Confederate Memorial Museum.
ny Margaret Waller Freeman.

by Margaret Waller Freeman.
''Rut. 4; is amazing said Prince
Troubetzkoy, positively amazing.
that such "a condition could exis, in
n place like Richmond"
Prince Pierre Troubcizkoy. distin-
Euishcd artist, has been in Richmond
several times this winter, painting
portraits of various wci.-known men
and women here. When approached
the other day for his views on the
question OF founding picture gal
lery. he was greatly interested and
consented 10 serve on n committee
being formed TO discuss the matter
with Judge John Barton Payne.
1T would seem unbelievable" he
continued. tina; n cifi like Judge
Payne. valued at 100000. should
haye been presented the State and
the whole community not have risen
up TO build receptacle for these
pictures. Such a git; is wonderful
it is colossal"
And then" was the answer made
him. becomes almost cmbarrass-
ing to think that. but far Tho courtesy
and great public spirit OF the direct
ors OF the Confederate Memorial
Museum. We would hav. lost tho gift
ms We lost SIR Moses Eackiel's superb
offer 70 the city because there was
no place to Put 1t. 1t is not even
certain that Judge Payne was ever
adequately thauiJci"
And, YET judge Payne is coming
down In fcw weeks 10 meet a COM
mi;tee of Richmond mon and wom-
en-" he asked. surely. the people
OF Virginia cannot let all that is
done for their State in art come from
those who have lived away from
here? There must be many who Will
be anxious TO serve on this commit
tee"
Plans to nuy Art Treasures.
You see. Prince Troubetzkoy,
crisis has arisen in tho ar; posi-.
bilit!es OF the State. The daughter
of an immensely wealthy New York
family has jus; made visit 10 Rich
mond and is going through the State.
With secretaries. appraisers and
critics In her party, she plans 10 buy
all the art treasures Of tho country
. ana take them back 10 New York.
Something must he done II our State
is TO hold even its own"
Il sec" he answered. Tho state
Is In the condition in which Italy
found Itself when Il was forced to
pass a law :orbiddinr tho sale OF any
work OF ART to FOREIGNER, unless
first the government had had "A
chance TO buy II. II the people OF
Richmond do not realize the satlsfac-
tion and value OF kccping art treas
ures in their city, the Time Will come
when the children and tho Erandchu-
orcn. understanding what they have
lost. VIII rise un nnl-oh. we'll GER
tain!y blame their ancestors for los
tnE for them ;hcir patrimony.
"Richmond lives on the reputation
Of her great charm. And there IS
here. without doubt. great charm-a
charm OF the old houses and the
possessions OF the past. hut the
houses are fast being torn down. Ii;
is possible. OF course. to rcproduc1
them with time and effort. but tho
pictures. when thcy so, cannot lie
painted over again They are Ger
teinly an Inheritance which the State
should hold for It's children.
Nnluc Of Individual Life.
The life o: an individual has value
only rs he extends his influence be-
yond himself. So it is with city.
a community. Why arc Athens and
Rome eternal because Of tho i'm
fiucnccs in art and In Thought that
they have cNcrtcd outside" Would
Virginia wililuEly lose those things.
would she cease 10 stimulate tho pro
ductiou Of those things which have
power TO create and exert such In
nuencc?
66cll sides Of IN" .Ajtai.ac, HAS called
the South the Sahara az tho Rozart.
the desert ~ All artistic Impulses.
I And YOU have resented 1t. naturally
and rightly. EUt ono cannot contest
such statements with words So Sc
. rious an accusation must he answered
by deeds.
Look al what MacIntyre has done
at Charlottesville. He has given
them a library, a school Of nnc arts.
and course az concerts the year
round. In tho proportion ~ its sizc.
Richmond shou!d have several Mac
Intyres.
"R!chmond should no, have to wait
for aid from outside 81 Jove" hc
cried. they should Jump up and do
II themselves"