EEPOET OF THE SECRETARY. 35 



painters, which, at the end of the year, numbered 137 pieces by 98 

 artists. One of the older paintings was also exchanged for another 

 and better example of the work of the same artist. This collection, 

 which occupies the greater part of the space now allotted to the 

 Gallery, is a most notable presentation of American art. The 

 painters represented in the contributions of the year are William 

 B. P. Closson, Wyatt Eaton, Albert L. Groll, Arthur T. liill, William 

 M. Hunt, William S. Robinson, Abbott H. Thayer, Elihu Vedder, 

 Edgar M. Ward, F'rederick J. Waugh, and Irving R. Wiles. Mr. 

 Evans also added 3-i proofs of xlmerican wood engravings to his 

 previous donation of 81 examples. 



The collection of historical paintings in oil was increased by two 

 noteworthy gifts to the Nation. One of these consisted of portraits 

 of Mathias Ringmann, Martin Waldseemuller, and Vautrin Lucl, the 

 geographers wdio, in 1507, first applied the name " America " to the 

 new continent, and was received from the municipality of St. 

 Die-des-Vosges, France. The other comprised a portrait of John 

 Ericsson and a painting illustrating the " Combat between the 

 Monitor and the Merrimac^''' and w^as made by the Swedish American 

 Republican League of Illinois. The Gallery was also fortunate in 

 obtaining man}^ loans, both of paintings and sculpture, and within 

 the restricted limits of its quarters has maintained an exhibition of 

 exceptional merit and attractiveness. 



ART TEXTILES. 



Interest in the collection of art textiles, under the patronage and 

 direction of Mrs. J. W. Pinchot, continued unabated, and of 68 addi- 

 tions received 15 were gifts. The laces have now become sufficiently 

 well represented to permit the arrangement of a synoptical series in 

 which all of the varieties are shown, and of a special exhibit consti- 

 tuting a resume of the history of lace making. 



PERIOD COSTUMES. 



During the year a collection of costumes intended to illustrate the 

 changes in style of personal attire in x\merica from the colonial 

 period to the present time, was undertaken. The material so far 

 gathered has consisted mainly of apparel actually worn at important 

 state and social functions, which gives it an historical interest, and 

 the collection should also very materially supplement that of art 

 textiles, offering useful suggestion in the field of design. The sub- 

 ject was taken up on the initiative of Mrs. Julian James, who is giv- 

 ing it her personal attention, and the contributions, ranging from 

 single objects to complete parts of costumes, comprised both loans 

 and gifts. 



