Evening star., 1936-11-18
PRESIDENT LAUDS
MURAL EXHIBITION
Secretary Morgenthau
Speaks at Opening at
CorCoran Gallery.

A message OF commentator from
President Roosevelt and an address
by Treasury Secretary Morgenthau
explaining broad objectives Of the
Treasury Departments art program
we're high lights Of an informal cere-
mony yesterday opening the Govern
ment's notable mural exhibition at
the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
Il have learned with sincere inter-
est of plans to hold, at the Corcoran
Gallery of Art, an exhibit of painting
-rd sculpture done under the Treas
ury Department Art Projects" the
President said.
1T is clear that the extensive build
ing of new court houses, post Offices
and other Federal buildings that
come within the scope Of the Treasury
Departments activities brings with it
an important opportunity for the art
lists of America to make our public
buildings more beautiful with paint
ing and sculpture. The decoration of
these buildings will make it possible
to bring those two noble arts back To
close and fruitful relationship with
architecture. and, at the same time,
to give to our artists a chance to
practice their professions under con-
ditions fostering this revived relation
ship
Il am glad to learn that in the
preliminary competitions no attempt
was made to seek out for special
favor artists of established name. but
that the competitions were open to
the unknown, TO the young, and to
established and famous artists, on
exactly the same terms The merit
of this plan, in my opinion, is that
youth and experience have had equal
opportunities. Il hope for the ex-
hibit the fullest measure of success"
Pride in Accomplishments.
Secretary Morgenthau said he was
proud" of the work done by the
artists engaged to decorate some 200
public buildings He gave major
credit for success of the project IN
Edward Bruce, consulting art expert
Of the Treasury Department, and ex-
pressed appreciation of the courtesy
of the director and trustees of the
Corcoran Art Gallery in lending facili-
ties for the exhibition. which will
continue through December 13.
I'VE have here representative Sc
lection of art works designed for this
use" Morgenthau stated. 1T is an
impressive example not only Of our
resources in art ability. but alsS Of
the cooperation of architects. paint
ers and sculptors TO make this work
really expressive of American genius
and the American spirit
1T seems to me that there is
double gain in the artistic embellish-
ment Of our public buildings with
paintings and sculpture II provides
new opportunity and new stimulus
for artists by permitting them to
work on subjects Of the broadcast
cultural interest with the knowledge
| that II their work is soundly con-
ceived and well executed 1t will form
a part Of permanent exhibition.
Better Opportunity.
For the public it means better
opportunity to enjoy modern works
of art and thus to develop that knowl-
edge of and feeling for works of grace
and beauty. which is an essential part
of national culture. It means also
that this age will be able to leave
behind it. along with the achieve
ments of the machine, a record Of our
art sense and our art progress"
Bruce pointed out. in introducing
the Secretary that an effort has been
made to secure for the Government
''the best art which this country
could produce"
There is, unfortunately" Bruce
said, no standard, or yardstick by
which the quality of a work of art
can be accurately measured. We have
maintained. however. a high TECH
nical and professional standard The
work exhibited gives a fair cross sec.
tion Of the work accomplished.
The program is, in my opinion.
the most far reaching, liberal and i'm.
partial plan which the artists of this,
or any, country have ever been privi-
legged to engage in. It is a challenge
to the American artist I hope you
will agree with me that he has given
his best without stint and without
reservation"