DOI issue:
No. 205 (March, 1914)
DOI article:B. Nelson, W. H. de: Pennsylvania pre-eminent
DOI Page / Citation link: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.43455#0360
INTERNATIONAL
STUDIO
5/OL. LII. No. 205 Copyright, 1914, by John Lane Company MARCH, 1914
A proper dignity, allied with good
tradition envelopes Philadelphia as with
a mantle; the flavour of the Republican Court hov-
ers over the city and may be detected in its clubs, its
streets and its people. Nowhere is this distinguish-
ing atmosphere more apparent and more beneficial
than in the sumptuous building devoted to the
Fine Arts, where the 109th annual exhibition is
now being held. The occasion is sacrosanct.
Artists appear to combine in sending their best
work, and everybody of importance and of taste
makes a point of bowing to the President on
Reception Day and enjoying the good things that
the gods offer so profusely. It is so customary to
chronicle a good show as to make it unnecessary
to state that this year proves no exception. One
may go further and say that it is by general
acclaim the best exhibition as yet held in Philadel-
phia, and more enjoyable, too, for the reason that
fewer paintings were accepted, whereby the stand-
ard of excellence was raised, and the galleries do
not present that crowded appearance which
spreads boredom and fatigue in the ranks of the
visitors. To come to figures, 330 paintings and
189 works of sculpture, 519 exhibits in all, are on
view, as opposed to 890 last year and 750 in 1912.
Such figures are eloquent witness that the com-
mittee of selection for 1914 have used their powers
with fine discretion. It stands to reason that
some canvases on exhibition strike the observer
as below the mark and cause wonderment how
PENNSYLVANIA PRE-EMINENT
BY W. H. de B. NELSON
they came to be admitted, but they serve a useful
purpose in acting as foils and directing the gaze to
worthwhile canvases, which are here a-plenty.
Great surprises there are none, except, perhaps,
the Gold Medal for the best portrait, bestowed
upon Robert Henri, which, though merited, was
unexpected. The Temple Gold Medal has fallen
into good hands. Elmer Schofield, though young
in years, has long held the stage with his big con-
cepts, powerfully brushed in, line and mass well
adjusted, colour restrained but strong. Hill
Country and Waterfall, both in Gallery F, repre-
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1914
PORTRAIT OF BY LEOPOLD G.
MRS. HAROLD SANDS SEYFFERT
III
STUDIO
5/OL. LII. No. 205 Copyright, 1914, by John Lane Company MARCH, 1914
A proper dignity, allied with good
tradition envelopes Philadelphia as with
a mantle; the flavour of the Republican Court hov-
ers over the city and may be detected in its clubs, its
streets and its people. Nowhere is this distinguish-
ing atmosphere more apparent and more beneficial
than in the sumptuous building devoted to the
Fine Arts, where the 109th annual exhibition is
now being held. The occasion is sacrosanct.
Artists appear to combine in sending their best
work, and everybody of importance and of taste
makes a point of bowing to the President on
Reception Day and enjoying the good things that
the gods offer so profusely. It is so customary to
chronicle a good show as to make it unnecessary
to state that this year proves no exception. One
may go further and say that it is by general
acclaim the best exhibition as yet held in Philadel-
phia, and more enjoyable, too, for the reason that
fewer paintings were accepted, whereby the stand-
ard of excellence was raised, and the galleries do
not present that crowded appearance which
spreads boredom and fatigue in the ranks of the
visitors. To come to figures, 330 paintings and
189 works of sculpture, 519 exhibits in all, are on
view, as opposed to 890 last year and 750 in 1912.
Such figures are eloquent witness that the com-
mittee of selection for 1914 have used their powers
with fine discretion. It stands to reason that
some canvases on exhibition strike the observer
as below the mark and cause wonderment how
PENNSYLVANIA PRE-EMINENT
BY W. H. de B. NELSON
they came to be admitted, but they serve a useful
purpose in acting as foils and directing the gaze to
worthwhile canvases, which are here a-plenty.
Great surprises there are none, except, perhaps,
the Gold Medal for the best portrait, bestowed
upon Robert Henri, which, though merited, was
unexpected. The Temple Gold Medal has fallen
into good hands. Elmer Schofield, though young
in years, has long held the stage with his big con-
cepts, powerfully brushed in, line and mass well
adjusted, colour restrained but strong. Hill
Country and Waterfall, both in Gallery F, repre-
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1914
PORTRAIT OF BY LEOPOLD G.
MRS. HAROLD SANDS SEYFFERT
III