Evening star., 1925-08-01
Trustees Unanimously Vote
to Take Rare Works, Which
Will Require Building of.
Adequate Addition.
GREATEST OLD MASTERS
AMONG SENATOR'S GIFTS
Rembrandt, Titan, Gainsborough,
Corot and Others Represented.
Rare Tapestries, Priceless Rugs
end Other Examples of Other
Art Fields Donated.

Art Fields Donated.
The I'd of trustees NJ the Cor
corar Gallery of Art has voted unanl-
r,ously to accept the famous art col
lection of the late William A. Clark
II was announced today. thus bringing
70 Washineton many rare treasures or
the old masters-canvasse by Rem
brandt Titan, Gainsborough, Corot
Millet and others of immortal fame
exquisite old tapestries and priceless
oriental rugs, furniture, stained glass
and many fine examples of ancient art
Valued at between $500, 900 and
50 900 600. the Clark collection repre-
sents one of the most comprehensive
galleries of masterpieces in this coun-
try. 1t was first offered TO the Metro
politan Museum in New York, but
was declined by that gallery because
of the conditions of maintenance pre-
scribed by the donor. The Corcoran
Gallery of Art was named as alternate
beneficiary. bound of course, by the
sa me conditions.
Will Make Addition Vital.
The Corcoran Gallery already is
crowded to capacity and the accept
ance of the Clark collection will make
necessary an addition to the present
structure in order that these objects
Of art may be displayed in manner
which will rect the conditions lald
down and also best serve the art.
loving public both Of the Capital and
the Nation. Such an addition will be
COSTLY. but for this and for other nee
essary expenses in connection with
the acceptance and maintenance OF
the collection the gallery officials can
make satisfactory arrangements, IL
was announced.
Clarke Collection.
Charles A. Platt of New York City.
the architect or the Freer Art Gallery
in this city, and also commissioned to
prepare the plans for the construc-
ton of the National Gallery of Art
which, II is hoped, will be erected in
Washington in the not far distant
future, has been selected by the
board as the architect of the pro-
posed wing.
That the chance to receive this be-
quest has received earnest and lengthy
consideration by the Corcoran board
goes without saying. The Metropoli-
tan officials definitely declined the gift
on April 20, after which it automati-
cally became available to the Wash
ington gallery. 1t has been an open
secret that Corcoran gallery officials
were exceedingly desirous that this
wonderful collection should come TO
the National Capital, while the pub
lie has made no secret whatever of
IT'S ardent hopes IS 10 today's an
nouncement.
The Clark collection has been val
ned at from So, SOC, 900 to $3,O00,0 600.
Those who are most familiar with it,
however, find it difficult to fix, even
approximately. its monetary value,
inasmuch as many of the objects con-
tanned therein are priceless. The Cor
coran trustees and officials have in
spected it with care and have bene-
fted by the advice of experts in all the
various lines which it embraces. A
number of trips to New York have
been made by the various officials
with these ends in view.
Capital Desire Manifested.
Since the first news of the bequest
there has not been the suggestion
nf doubt that the people of Wash
ington urgently wished the collec-
tion to come here This desire has
been evidenced in a number of ways.
The trustees, while fully appreciating
the responsibility. the difficulties and
the large monetary outlay involved,
must have been constantly conscious
Of the fact that they owed q duty
10 the residents of the Capital and to
the country a large.
installation of this collection in
Washington puts the Corcoran Gal
lery and the people of this community
more than ever in the debt of the
Lot I'll II
erous friend TO the Institution for
more than 20 years. and for decade
was himself a trustee. For a num-
her of wears he presented the William
A. Clark prizes for the biennial eX-
hihitions held by the gallery. In 1921
he gave it outright the sum of $780,
600. the income from which was TO
he used for the perpetuation of these
ample awards and for the purchase
by the gallery of fine examples of
American art.
That when the collection is installed
and open to public inspection here
visitors will be astounded both at it's
proportions and its excellence, is a
common remark of those who have
seen it. 1t is. they say. of most un-
usual scope and variety. It's appeal
TO all the different groups of art lovers
is indicated by the fact that it in
EluleS 6AdIlplSS OIL lIle earliest ME-
toric and even prehistoric art-Egyp-
tan and Etruscan-eXamples of the
art of today and of many of the in
tervening periods. 1t contains not
only large number of paintings by
both old and modern masters. but also
collections of rare drawings, tapestries.
rugs. carpets. china, porcelains, stained
glass. furniture. etc.
Rare Tapestries Included.
There is, for example. one group of
large and supremely beautiful Gothic
tapestries, reputed to be as fine as
anything of this kind in the world.
There is another of four exceptionally
handsome and interesting Gobelin
tapestries and a number of examples
of Beauvais tapestries.
The bequest also embraces collec-
ton of between 40 and so valuable
rugs and carpets. including examples
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