Camera Work: A Photographic Quarterly (1904 (Heft 6))

THE PHOTO-SECESSION EXHIBITION AT THE
CARNEGIE ART GALLERIES, PITTSBURG, PA.
WHEN TWO years ago — it is hard to believe that it is only two
years — a few artistic photographers founded the Secession, the
outsiders, largely the profession, a few artists and that small part of
the public interested in photographic matters, smiled rather incredulously at
the attempt and wisely shook their heads and offered all sorts of cheap
advice. Love’s labor lost, they thought; that might do for painters, etchers,
wood-engravers, but for photographers — ridiculous !
But the Secessionists were not to be discouraged; they listened to no
advice; they had convictions and persevered. Then came their first
exhibition at the National Arts Club, at New York, which taught such a
practical lesson to many a publisher, painter, and art-student. “ It has met
with success simply because of its novelty," the wiseacres remarked; " but
wait awhile! It is just like a new play; everybody wants to see it merely
to talk about it; then the interest will cease.”
What have all these now to say after the triumph of the Secession ideas
at the Corcoran Art Gallery in Washington and at the Carnegie Art Galleries
in Pittsburg ? Will they still be able to find excuses, or will they suddenly,
as is usually the case in such matters, come over to the enemy'scamp,
proudly asseverating that they have fully believed, from the very start, in
the principles of this movement.
Fortunately the Secessionists care little for popular approval, insisting
upon works, not faith, and believing that their share having been done in
producing the work, the public must now do the rest. A few friends, and
these of understanding mind, a few true appreciators, this is all they expect
and all they desire.
The Photo-Secession Exhibition at Pittsburg is indisputably the most
important and complete pictorial photographic exhibition ever held in this
country. I must confess to no special fondness for the ordinary run of
photographic exhibitions, but the Pittsburg show is so far superior to
anything of its kind I have ever seen before, that I consider it a privilege to
have viewed it and to have found real pleasure in my task of studying it.
With exception of the background, which was red in color and dilapi-
dated in appearance — a state of affairs over which the Secession had,
unfortunately, no control — the arrangement, the lighting of the galleries,
which concentrated the light upon the pictures and left all else in semi-
darkness, was particularly effective and seemed incapable of improvement.
The hanging, at best a thankless task, was done with untiring energy and
exquisite taste by Mr. Joseph T. Keiley. The exhibit is exceedingly well
grouped; the framing of the pictures up to the usual high standard; and
the catalogues arranged by Stieglitz himself, especially the illustrated edition
de luxe with cover-design by Steichen, which contained seven gravures,
may all be regarded as models of good taste.
Thanks to those who selected the collection fully two-thirds of the

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