INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 



The history of the munificent gift to the Nation, of which a 

 foretaste is permitted through the present exhibition, is, briefly, 

 as follows : 



In 1904 Mr. Charles L. Freer, of Detroit, Mich., transmitted 

 to the Smithsonian Institution an ofifer to bequeath or make 

 present conveyance of title to his extensive art collections to 

 the Institution or the United States Government, and to furnish 

 the means for erecting, after his death, a suitable building to 

 receive them. In his communication Mr. Freer explained that — 



These several collections include specimens of very widely separated 

 periods of artistic development, beginning before the birth of Christ and 

 ending to-day. No attempt has been made to secure specimens from un- 

 sympathetic sources, my collecting having been confined to American and 

 Asiatic schools. My great desire has been to unite modem work with mas- 

 terpieces of certain periods of high civilization harmonious in spiritual and 

 physical suggestion, having the power to broaden esthetic culture and the 

 grace to elevate the human mind. 



These collections I desire to retain during my life for the enjoyment of 

 students, my friends and myself, and for the further purpose of making 

 additions and improvements from time to time. Believing that good models 

 only should be used in artistic instruction, I wish to continue my censor- 

 ship, aided by the best expert advice, and remove every undesirable article, 

 and add in the future whatever I can obtain of like harmonious standard 

 quality. 



This generous proposition was accepted by the Board of 

 Regents of the Institution at their annual meeting on January 

 24, 1906, in the following terms: 



The Board of Regents, recognizing the great value to the people of the 

 United States of the art collection so generously offered by Mr. Charles L. 

 Freer, of Detroit, Mich. : 



Resolved, That the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution do 

 hereby accept the tender of Mr. Freer to make present conveyance to the 

 Institution of the title to his art collection, and to bequeath to the Institu- 

 tion the sum of $500,000 for the construction of a fireproof building in which 

 to house it, under the terms as stated in his communication to the President 

 of the United States dated December 15, 1905. 



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