Documents associated with: World's Columbian Exposition, Department of Fine Arts, Chicago, 1893
Record 19 of 113
System Number: 00602
Date: 16 September 1892
Author: Walter C. Larned[1]
Place: Chicago
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler C103
Document Type: TLS[2]
NOT THINGS, BUT MEN.
PRESIDENT, CHARLES C. BONNEY[3].
VICE-PRESIDENT, THOS. B. BRYAN[4].
TREASURER, LYMAN J. GAGE[5].
SECRETARY, BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH[6].
THE WORLD'S CONGRESS AUXILIARY OF THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION[7].
WORLD'S CONGRESS HEADQUARTERS.
CHICAGO, U. S. A.,
September 16, 1892
Mr. James McNeil [sic] Whistler
Dear Sir
I am directed by the General Committee on Congresses of Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrative Artists, of the World's Congress Auxiliary of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, to invite you to make an address during the time of this Congress which will occur in the first week of August 1893[8].
The accompanying preliminary publication will serve to give a general idea of what is the scope and the object of this Congress or meeting of Artists.
Certain subjects have been suggested by the Committee for discussion, but these suggestions are offered only with the hope of indicating the general nature of the field which it is desired to cover. These subjects are as follows.
IN PAINTING.
The Impressionists--their aim, their position among painters today--the probable future of this school.
English oil painting of today contrasted in its motive with the French School, and illustrated by the influence and teaching of the Pre Raphaelites.
The influence of Classical upon modern Art in Painting.
What American Institutes and Museums of Art are doing to found a school of art in America.
The German School of Painting, its aim and its methods of teaching.
The Fine Arts under the French Republic.
IN SCULPTURE.
Polychromatic Sculpture.
The Sculptor's Education.
Modern German Sculpture.
The influence of sculpture upon painting and architecture.
(p. 2) The three great eras of sculpture--the Greek--the Italian Renascence [sic]--the Modern French School.
The Anglo Saxon as a Sculptor.
IN ETCHING AND ENGRAVING.
The Modern School of Etching.
Landscape Etching.
The progress of American Wood Engraving and how it is affected by modern methods of reproduction.
Steel Engraving of today compared with the best schools of the past.
If you are willing to deliver an address upon the topic
The Impressionists - their aim, their position among painters today - the probable future of this school
please advise the Committee to that effect. If you prefer to modify or change the topic in any way, please do so and advise the Committee what the title of your address so changed or modified will be. If you desire to treat a totally different subject from any of those suggested please write the Committee to that effect.
It is desired to obtain assurances from a very few of the leading artists of the world, that they will give addresses, and upon what subjects they will give them. Afterward it is the intention to publish a circular containing a full description of the general plan and scope of the work, announcing the names of those who have already consented to make addresses and their subjects, and requesting further suggestions and offers of co-operation from artists everywhere. An early reply will be greatly appreciated because the general circular cannot be sent out until the Committee has heard definitely from the few asked in advance to make the leading addresses of the Congress.
Walter C. Larned
Vice chairman and Secretary of the Committee on Congresses of Artists
201 Facoma Building
Chicago
Ills.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Walter C. Larned
Walter Cranston Larned (1850-1914), lawyer, author, art editor of the Chicago Daily News and Chicago Record [more].
2. TLS
The letter was typed, with MSS insertions.
3. CHARLES C. BONNEY
Charles C. Bonney (b. ca 1831), lawyer and President of the World's Congress Auxiliary of the World's Columbian Exposition [more].
4. THOS. B. BRYAN
Thomas B. Bryan (fl. 1872-1895), financier, Vice-President of the World's Congress Auxiliary of the World's Columbian Exposition.
5. LYMAN J. GAGE
Lyman J. Gage (1836-1927), bank president, Treasurer of the World's Congress Auxiliary of the World's Columbian Exposition [more].
6. BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH
Benjamin Butterworth (1837-1898), politician, secretary to the World's Congress Auxiliary of the World's Columbian Exposition [more].
7. WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION
World's Columbian Exposition, Department of Fine Arts, Chicago, 1893.
8. August 1893
JW exhibited but did not lecture or visit the USA in 1893.