THE OBJECT AND SCOPE OF THE EXBIBITION. 



It is the object of the Section of Graphic Arts of the U. S. National 

 Museum to illustrate all the processes employed iu the ])ast, as well as 

 at present, for the expression of artistic ideas or the representation of 

 objects on surfaces. It is evident that this scheme includes drawing, 

 l)ainting, and engraving for pictorial purposes and multiplication in the 

 press, with the results of the latter operation. The plastic r^rts and 

 architecture, on the other hand, are excluded. Since decorative art 

 occupies a rather peculiar position, some of its products have a fair 

 claim to a place iu the scheme, while in the case of others the de- 

 cision is difficult. At present the collections of the section embrace 

 only drawing and painting on plane surfaces and prints from blocks 

 and plates engraved or otherwise produced for the purpose of multi- 

 plication. 



THE PLACE OF ART IN THE U. S. NATIONAL MUSJ2UM. 



Although the National Mtiseum is not at present an institution for 

 the cultivation of art, it can not be doubted that art must have a place 

 in it. One of its most important departments is devoted to the science of 

 anthropology — the study of man — a science which is so broad, that it in- 

 cludes all other sciences; for in a thorough study of man it is not suffi- 

 cient if he himself be made the object of research, nor will the circle of 

 investigation be completed by including the things which surround him 

 and the forces emanating from them. It will be quite as necessary to 

 study his activities, since these express the desires which animate him, 

 and, in their turn, mold the conditions by which he is affected. It is 

 clear that among these activities those which are denoted as artistic 

 hold a high place. Without adducing any further testimony as to their 

 importance, it will answer all purposes to note the immense volume of 

 production resulting from them. To omit all these productions from the 

 tableau which the Museum is to spread out before the eye of the visitor 

 would be equivalent to ignoring one of the most persistent manifesta- 

 tions of the life of man. 



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