Evening star., 1946-09-01
Art
Notes
Fine Arts Collection
In Centenary Show
At Smithsonian
By Florence S. Berrymon

The growth of the National Col
lection Of Fine Arts during the past
century, is illustrated in display
confined within a single alcove in
the special exhibition celebrating the
Smithsonian Institutions centen-
ary, in the foyer of the Natural His
tory Building. But this little display
is a good paragraph summary OF a
large volume. so to speak.
The National Collection of Fine
Arts actually began 100 years ago
as "a gallery of art was includ-
ed among the adjuncts of the in
stitution. Two workers. one paint
ing and one piece of sculpture, which
came with James Smithson's effects,
constituted the beginning of art COL
lections which now number thou
sands of items. to the care and hous-
ing of which three different bureaus
are devoted, and two handsome
buildings: The National Collection OF
Fine Arts, the Freer Gallery and the
National Gallery of Art.
The rst-mentioned of these three
bureaus is the Oldest and most mis-
cellaneous, and is also homeless
Temporary quarters now devoted to
its exhibition in the Natural His
tory Building are much needed for
the scientific collections of that de-
partment Consequently. the impera-
tive requirement of the National
Collection of Fine Arts is a home
of its own, for which site has been
approved and plans prepared, but
funds have not yet been made avail
able by Congress. This housing
shortage has actually slowed down
the growth of the collection by dis
couraging people who would give
works of art, if there were any as
surance of their display. AS long ago
as 1924 DR.. william H. Holmes, the
collections first director, estimated
that the Nation was losing annually
masterpieces of art worth from
$500 900 to 100000, which might
have been donated but for lack of
. gallery.
From the outset small collections
Of prints and other works of art
we're purchased or otherwise ac-
ouired until the disastrous fire OF
1865 destroyed the Stanley Indian
painting on loan and exhibition, and
halted the development Of the art
collections for about 40 years.
Johnston Bequest Important
Then. in 1906, a small but val
liable collection of paintings be-
oueathed by Mrs. Harriet Lane john
ston, niece of President Buchanan,
to a national gallery of art when
one should be established, was
turned over by court decision to the
Smithsonian Institution. It's art
collections were known as the "Na-
tional Gallery of Art from that time
until 1887, when the name was
changed to National Collection of
Fine Arts in order that the older
title could be given to the collection
and building bestowed upon the
Nation by Andrew w. Mellon
One of Mrs. Johnston's master
pieces is In the special exhibition:
Miss Kirkpatrick" by Romney (re-
produced on this page last Sunday,
as well as miniature by j. Henry
Brown of the donor herself, beau-
tiful and distinguished woman who
is depicted charmingly crowned with
tiara like arrangement of her own
hair.
Presumably influenced by the
Johnston bequest, Charles L. Freer
Of Detroit in 1905 gave to the Smith
sonian Institution his superb COL
lection of Oriental and American
objects of art and paintings, and
funds for building to house them
(which was opened to the public in
1899. The Freer collection is to
remain always as a separate unit
Within year after Freer's great
gift, william T. Evans gave Tin 1907
and later $50 paintings by American
artists. It would be difficult to men,
ton few outstanding works in SO
notable group. but in many opin-
ions, one Of the finest of Evans
gifts is Winslow Homer's High
Cliff, Coast of Maine" (now hang
ing in the National Gallery of Art)
In 1915, the French Republic gave
81 original paintings and drawings
by French artists, one of which is
included in the special exhibition
Henry Ward Ranger in 1915 left
q bequest of 100000, the income tc
be used for the purchase of works