International studio (35.1908)

The Ten Americans


Ten are away above the commonplace. Each
is certain, from time to time, to give forth a
canvas of distinction, to evolve something worth
the while. Their recent exhibition at the Mon-
tross gallery on Fifth Avenue was not only proof
of this, but it was probably the most complete dis-
play of modern American work we have yet had,
the standard being unusually high and well main-
tained. And the large crowds that attended
showed unquestionably the efforts were thoroughly
appreciated. Nay, more, the general interest mani-
fested disclosed that the public is keen to discrimi-
nate, that it knows good art when it sees it, and that
it is, furthermore, prepared to give a substantial ap-
preciation as well, for there were many sales. All
of which is a healthy sign. Small exhibitions, of
course, have more attraction for the spectator than
large ones. It is possible to see the show with more
satisfaction and less fatigue, and one has not to

Academy saw just
half of'these Ten
—five in short—
hung prominently
on the walls of its
display, and a
medal was voted
therein to Mr.
Tarbell, for his
portrait of Dr.
Seelye, which oc-
cupied the place
of honor in one of
the rooms! Thus
time makes won-
drous changes
surely enough, and
the youthful revo-
lutionary with
middle age settles
down to conserva-
tism !
Frankly, how-
ever, the with-
drawal of the ten
artists was a dis-
tinct loss to the
Academy, which
was felt in more
ways than one for
some time. There
are not too many
brilliant perform-
ers in that body,
and all of these

HE TEN AMERICANS
BY ARTHUR HOEBER

It is hard to realize that it is eleven
years ago since ten prominent members
of the National Academy of Design and the Society
of American Artists seceded from those organiza-
tions and flocked all by themselves, forming a close
association which they called “The Ten Ameri-
cans.” Yet much has taken place in these years
since the mild revolution occurred. One of the
Ten has been gathered to his forbears—John FI.
Twachtman—and his place has been filled by the
election of William M. Chase. And a more liberal
spirit has been developed within the walls of the
National Academy of Design, while the poor So-
ciety of American Artists has passed entirely out of
sight, being submerged by the older organization.
Further, mirabile dictu, the last exhibition of the

THE GUITAR PLAYER

BY JOSEPH DE CAMP

XXIV