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Chicago Daily Hour
5 May 1893

THE DAILY NEWS

AMY LESLIE AT THE FAIR.

Some Reflections as to What Might Have Been Done in American Art.

VISIT TO BUFFALO BILL AND HIS MEN.

Rain-in-the-Face a Particularly Amiable Indian--Other Incidents of the Day.

[By Special Private Wire from the Daily News World's Fair Bureau.]

If there had been a decisive American spirit in the commission upon art in this Columbian Exposition instead of revivals of mythological symphonies, classics and the rightful inheritances of worlds crumbling with mellowed perfections there would have been something of the daring originality, vigor and unique emphasis indicative of our own history, our undeveloped splendors and gradual advancement in the profligate natural resources of the greatest country, the newest country and most ambitious country on earth. Instead of the eternal procession of tiresomely perfect gods and goddesses, allegories, revered freaks and European celebrites there might have been a glorious unveiling of the unbroken, golden splendors of America awakening, an indisputable chronology and some recognition of the most picturesque figures in our thrilling vicissitudes.

Instead of familiar old Ceres (this time in such luxury of grace and plenty) or inexhaustible Bacchus, sacred bovines and impious feasters, an American would have lifted on the walls of agricultural hall great pansy-eyed Texas steers, feather-crested Indians, a sundance, a Rocky mountain hero, or an even dozen of them and a wilderness of picturesque beauty. On the highest point of vantage, instead of pillaging buried art, America might have been honored with the effort of an artist who felt the magnitude of his own country. Any one of the men employed would have greeted the innovation with rejoices. The ymust be tired as the least enthusiastic of us of endless views of the myths, the gods and the artistic chestnuts. Fancy a nineteenth century artist deliberately perching himself upon a ladder to map out a Diana or Triton at all comparable with the hundreds which have confronted him during his studies abroad in every investigated quarter from the catacombs to Monte Carlo. While Church, our most decisive creator, must needs distort his brush with "The Viking's Daughter" Macmonnies, Millet, Symonds and the rest of the Columbian immortals have wrestled with gigantic beauties of antiquity until the wonderful Fair looks least like America of any place this side of the world of the obelisks. Any one of these artists or the greater ones honoring the nations with charming art would have reveled in the novelty of picturesque America. It might not have necessarily interfered with the encyclical marble appearance of the Apollos, Venuses, Hebes and adipose Cupids, but what Americans might have enjoyed showing the congress of nations would be types of our own idolized heroes, the like of which ornament no other history. Our warriors, pioneers, savages and broad acres. I--it is I, because I am American from the crown of my head to the ground my feet caress--I would have reveled in a colossal reproduction of the adored heroes inspiring American boys of the last century to courageous undertaking, press of civilization and the audacious vehemence of rightful war. Now, about the only art-remembrance of the march of stupendous American improvement is epitomized in the magnificent examples of the American tiger in one man's magnificent puma.

NOT FINISHed.

Chicago Daily Hour
5 May 1893

THE DAILY NEWS

AMY LESLIE AT THE FAIR.

Some Reflections as to What Might Have Been Done in American Art.

VISIT TO BUFFALO BILL AND HIS MEN.

Rain-in-the-Face a Particularly Amiable Indian--Other Incidents of the Day.

[By Special Private Wire from the Daily News World's Fair Bureau.]

If there had been a decisive American spirit in the commission upon art in this Columbian Exposition instead of revivals of mythological symphonies, classics and the rightful inheritances of worlds crumbling with mellowed perfections there would have been something of the daring originality, vigor and unique emphasis indicative of our own history, our undeveloped splendors and gradual advancement in the profligate natural resources of the greatest country, the newest country and most ambitious country on earth. Instead of the eternal procession of tiresomely perfect gods and goddesses, allegories, revered freaks and European celebrites there might have been a glorious unveiling of the unbroken, golden splendors of America awakening, an indisputable chronology and some recognition of the most picturesque figures in our thrilling vicissitudes.

Instead of familiar old Ceres (this time in such luxury of grace and plenty) or inexhaustible Bacchus, sacred bovines and impious feasters, an American would have lifted on the walls of agricultural hall great pansy-eyed Texas steers, feather-crested Indians, a sundance, a Rocky mountain hero, or an even dozen of them and a wilderness of picturesque beauty. On the highest point of vantage, instead of pillaging buried art, America might have been honored with the effort of an artist who felt the magnitude of his own country. Any one of the men employed would have greeted the innovation with rejoices. The ymust be tired as the least enthusiastic of us of endless views of the myths, the gods and the artistic chestnuts. Fancy a nineteenth century artist deliberately perching himself upon a ladder to map out a Diana or Triton at all comparable with the hundreds which have confronted him during his studies abroad in every investigated quarter from the catacombs to Monte Carlo. While Church, our most decisive creator, must needs distort his brush with "The Viking's Daughter" Macmonnies, Millet, Symonds and the rest of the Columbian immortals have wrestled with gigantic beauties of antiquity until the wonderful Fair looks least like America of any place this side of the world of the obelisks. Any one of these artists or the greater ones honoring the nations with charming art would have reveled in the novelty of picturesque America. It might not have necessarily interfered with the encyclical marble appearance of the Apollos, Venuses, Hebes and adipose Cupids, but what Americans might have enjoyed showing the congress of nations would be types of our own idolized heroes, the like of which ornament no other history. Our warriors, pioneers, savages and broad acres. I--it is I, because I am American from the crown of my head to the ground my feet caress--I would have reveled in a colossal reproduction of the adored heroes inspiring American boys of the last century to courageous undertaking, press of civilization and the audacious vehemence of rightful war. Now, about the only art-remembrance of the march of stupendous American improvement is epitomized in the magnificent examples of the American tiger in one man's magnificent puma.