Evening star., 1927-10-13

nowise deficient in his reverence for
the men and the work of the past. but
he would never have been content
with the somewhat negative results
of investigation. He knew that what
has been done is done. He was Gre
ator with a desire to encourage and
promote creation in others. While 1t
is highly desirable to study and appre-
ciate the art of the past, and bestow
due honor upon the old masters, yet
if there is to be progress, If there is
to be vitality. il there is to be a grow
ing creative purpose in this field, 1t
will he because of the appreciation that
is bestowed upon those who at pres
ent are it's devoted eXponents. lie
therefore provided for the purchase
annually of not less than two Ameri-
can pictures painted within the rear.
"In accordance with this principle
this exhibition consists of paintings,
with few exceptions, of living artists
done within the past five years. Peo.
pie who view 1t will have an oppor-
tunity to see what is characteristic in
cotemporaneous art in each of the
countries represented. The advantage
of international contest of this kind
is that no country thereby loses any.
thing. The stimulation, the educa-
ton, the generous rivalry in well doing
that it confers upon those who par.
ticipate leave all concerned richer
than they were before in art and its
appreciation. From much humber be-
ginnings great issues have been
evolved. 1t may be that in the spirit
which animates the conduct of these
exhibitions lies the germ of better
world relationship.
Efforts Distinctly American.
"While this occasion has it's inter
national aspects, which we hold of vast
importance, we should also remember
that 1t is a distinctly American effort.
Ii Is one of the contributions which
| our country is making to the art of
the world. Our people very early
showed desire for portrait painting,
which was carried on among the Pur-
itans and the Quakers mostly by Wis
iting Englishmen. But by the mid
die of the eighteenth century our own
art had so advanced as to produce
| Gilbert Stuart and Benjamin West,
who succeeded Sir Joshua Reynolds as
president of the Royal Academy,
| which in later years assigned promi-
nent parts to such Americans of
genius as Whistler. Abbey and Sar-
gent. OF recent date are La Fargo,
| Homer and a long line of their co.
temporaries, many of whom are still
| living, who hold high place in the
estimation of the world. In the inter
probation of the life and spirit Of our
times, 1t is generally agreed by art
critics that our own countrymen have
| reached a stage where they do not
yield in excellence to the work now
being done in any other region. Our
country is not deficient in painters.
We have reached conditions that are
likely to increase their numbers and
improve their work.
"While 1t will always be desirable to
stimulate and encourage the produc-
ton of fine paintings, it is even more
desirable to stimulate and encourage
their wide appreciation by the people.
1t is a fundamental principle of our
institutions that freedom, education
and wealth are not to be reserved for
the few. but are to be reached through
equal opportunity which is open to all.
We have staked America on the poten.
tial capacity of the average citizen.
Truth and beauty are inseparably re.
lated. A general contemplation of fine
paintings cannot fail to provide an in.
spiration which will result in the i'm.
provement of the character of the
people. 1t is for this reason that the
painter and the founder of art gal
leries rank high as public benefactors.
They raise people to spiritual level
which they could not otherwise at.
tain.
Evolution Not Smooth.
''That is the evolution which has
been going ON in our country. 1t does
not always proceed smoothly. 1t is
far from complete. In fact, we have
as yet only laid out part of the plan.
But enough has been done so that we
know we are going in the right direc-
ton. We are under great obligation
to those who have given light and
leading in this movement. Mr.. Car
Inegie stands out pre-eminently as one
Iof these. But he would have been
first to insist upon wide distribution
of the honor and the glory. He was
accustomed to say that he had made
his success by gathering around him
men who knew more than he did 1t
is not he alone that Is entitled to
credit for the possessions which went
into his vast philanthropies. They
were the joint results of himself and