New-York tribune., 1922-11-11
500 Art Lovers
AttelndOpenin,gg 9
(f New Gallery
Thomas E. Kirby Recalls No
table Sales at Reception
in American Art Associa-
Observation-Disclosures
Unique Lighting System
Paintings May Be Viewed
Under Uniform Condi-
tions at All Times of Day

The American Art Association, for
forty years identified with American
art affairs, both through it's exhibi
sions and its dispersal of many world
famous collections of fine art. formally
opened its new galleries, at Fifty-sev-
enth Street and Madison Avenue. yes-
terday afternoon.
Five hundred guests, including fore
i,i"se art authorities, collectors, art
dealers and patrons, attended the re-
cePtion, which also included an ad-
dress by Thomas E. Kirby, veteran
mead Of the association. Mr.. Kirbv. in
tracing the high lights in the art mar.
ket during the last generation, re-
Vefted to the loan exhibition. which
probably established the reputation Of
George Inness, Americas great land
scape painter. He told of the incep-
.lon and success of the prize fund ex-
hio'e,ons, also sponsored by the Ameri-
can Art Association in the 's0s. which
received the financial support of a
a0Seh great American art patrons.
Recalls Famous Sales
Continuing his recital of past no
table events in the art history of New
York with which he was Intimately
connected, he cited the famous sale
here of Millet's "The Angelus" and tn.
controversy over it's ultimate destinn-
ton. Famous sales associated with the
association which the speaker re-
called were those of George I. Seney,
Mary Jane Morgan, A. It. Stewart,
henry Ward Beecher, General Brayton
Ives, Charles A. Dana, Thomas B..
clarke, Augustin Daily, Henry G.. Mar
quand and. later, the Yerkes, M. C. D.
Borden and the George A. Hearu ana
Lawrence collections.
Summing UP the results of manv no.
table sales of paintings over which he
presided, Mr.. Kirby recalled the aston
lshing popularity of the Barbizon mas
ters. Since 1885 the American Art As
sociation handled 1886 works by this
group Of seven French painters and the
total received for them was S6,072, 1852.
according to Mr.. Kirby. In all. nearly
$50 100000 in art and literary property
had passed through the hands Of the as
sociation, he said. since its institution
in 1883.
$&aJuStdUie Ll&HLlMB system
The new galleries, incorporating
more than 10000 square feet of gallery
space, are invested with system Of
lighting adjustable to meet the re-
qu1rements of ever-changing atmos
pheric conditions. 1t is SO Controlled
that an even light can be had on all
four walls at all times Of the day.
There are twenty-five exhibition
rooms and an auditorium and assem-
bly,, which seats 500 persons in front
of "a regularly designed stage. This
room, which is done in a subdued
scheme of gray, contains beautiful
ceiling done in the Adam style and a
balcony.
The large exhibition rooms are dec
grated in rich, red velvet wall hang
ilngs, while the austere halls, in the
Renaissance style of architecture, are
draped in gray velvet.
The exterior of the galleries repro
duces the style of the Italian Renais-
sance, as does the main entrance hall,
which is finished in travertin stone.
The staircase ascending to the third
floor galleries and assembly hall is pat
termed after famous palace specimen
in Italy. Everywhere, however, the
architectural fittings are subdued and
dignified, admirably suited for the dis
play OF varied art IorinS. In addition
to the main galleries, there are special
book display rooms and galleries for
the exhibition Of prints and small
paintings.
The most striking feature is perhaps
the lighting. For years, according to
Mr.. Kirby, experts and scientists have
struggled with the problems of gallery
lighting so that objects may be seen
under a constant light. By a means
for the first time utilized, and only re-
Gently perfected after years Of study,
Mr.. Kirby believes the American Art
Association has solved this important
problem.
The new structure was designed by
j. D. Leland, Of Boston. and the light
ing system by Gustayus T. Kirby and
Joseph D. Leland.
Among those present yesterday were
Sir Joseph Duveen, Robert W. De For
rest, president of the Metropolitan
Museum, the various department heads
of the latter, and Burton Holmes. Mes
sages were received from practically all
the museums and large art firms Of the
country.