46 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1941 



THE SMITHSONIAN ART COMMISSION 



The twentieth annual meeting of the Smithsonian Art Commis- 

 sion was held on December 3, 1940. The members met at 10:30 in 

 the Natural History Building, where, as the advisory committee on 

 the acceptance of works of art which had been submitted during 

 the year, they accepted the following : 



"Sunny Slopes," by Gardner Symons (1863-1930). Gift of Mrs. Louis Betts, 

 formerly Mrs. Gardner Symons. 



"Portrait of George Fuller (1822-1S84)," and "Self Portrait," by William 

 Baxter Closson (1848-1926). Gift of Mrs. William Baxter Closson. 



"Portrait of Dr. William H. Holmes (1846-1933)," by Nicholas R. Brewer 

 (1857- ). Gift of Mrs. Nicholas Webster, daughter of DeLancey Gill. 



After a visit to the National Gallery of Art building, then almost 

 completed, the members assembled in the regents' room in the 

 Smithsonian Building for the further proceedings, the meeting being 

 called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Borie, at 12 : 30. 



The members present were : Charles L. Borie, Jr., chairman ; Frank 

 Jewett Mather, Jr., vice chairman; Dr. Charles G. Abbot (ex officio), 

 secretary; and Louis Ayres, Gifford Beal, Gilmore D. Clarke, David 

 E. Finley, James E. Eraser, Frederick P. Keppel, John E. Lodge, 

 Paul Manship, Edward W. Eedfield, and Mahonri M. Young. 

 Ruel P. Tolman, curator of the division of graphic arts in the United 

 States National Museum and acting director of the National Col- 

 lection of Fine Arts, was also present. 



The following resolutions on the death of Mr. McClellan were 

 submitted and adopted: 



Whereas, the Smithsonian Art Commission has learned of the death on 

 November 30, 1940, of Col. George B. McClellan, a member of this Commission 

 since 1931 ; therefore be it 



Resolved, That the Commission desires to record its sincere sorrow at the 

 loss of Mr. McClellan, who as a man and a collector had the respect of the 

 entire Commission. His advice and suggestions were always timely and valu- 

 able, and as a friend he will be deeply missed. 



Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of the Com- 

 mission, and that the Secretary of the Commission be requested to convey this 

 action to the family of Mr. McClellan with an expression of our deepest sympathy 

 in their bereavement. 



A set of rules for the National Portrait Gallery, prepared by Mr. 

 McClellan, chairman of the executive committee, was submitted. 

 Professor Mather offered an amendment to rule 3 which was accepted. 

 By motion, the Commission adopted the entire set of rules as 

 amended, subject to any later modifications that may be made. They 

 read: 



