42 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1910. 



well-selected examples by 80 painters. This important gift, which is attracting 

 wide attention and receiving the highest commendation, has already done much 

 toward advancing the interests of xVmerican art, and it is worthy of mention 

 that one of its canvases was exhibited abroad in the early spring. It should 

 also be stated that during a trip to the Orient Mr. Charles L. Freer secured 

 many choice additions to his collection, still remaining in his custody in Detroit, 

 the formal transfer of which, as the third supplement to the original gift, was 

 made to the Institution in July, 1910. 



Early in July, 1909, it became necessary to move the Evans collection from 

 the Corcoran Gallery of Art to the improvised picture gallery in the older 

 Museum building, and this in turn required the temporary retirement from 

 public view of many of the paintings which had previously been installed there. 

 The importance of having the entire collection kept together and on exhibition, 

 however, led to an arrangement for its maintenance in the new building, pend- 

 ing the time when a more appropriate home can be found for the department of 

 the fine arts. The location selected was the central skylighted part of the 

 middle hall, which is 50 feet wide and has been utilized to a length of about 

 130 feet. This area was inclosed with screen walls of a suitable character for 

 hanging paintings and was divided into 7 rooms of varying size. Here all of the 

 paintings belonging to the gallery, together with many loans, were assembled in 

 time to have an informal opening on the 17th of March, 1910, which was largely 

 attended. Some of the more interesting ethnological groups and historical ex- 

 hibits were also installed for the same occasion in the surrounding parts of the 

 hall and adjacent ranges, and the first visitors to the new building were, there- 

 fore, given the opportunity to judge of its advantages for exhibition purposes. 

 At the close of the year preparations had been made for extending the limits of 

 the gallery so as to include the entire space below the skylight. 



ART TEXTILES. 



With the removal of the paintings from the gallery in the older Museum 

 building and of the large screens except the one at the east end, this entire hall 

 became available for the collection of art objects commenced two years ago at 

 the suggestion of Mrs. James W. Piuchot, who has continued to give her personal 

 attention to its growth and arrangement. Consisting fundamentally of laces, it 

 comprises other art textiles and fabrics such as embroideries, tapestries, bro- 

 cades, and velvets ; and also fans, enamels, porcelains, silver work, ivory carv- 

 ings, jewelry, etc. Besides many loans there were two important donations 

 during the year. One was from Mrs. Pinchot and consisted of 61 pieces of lace, 

 purchased abroad expressly for the collection and with a view to its needs. The 

 other was from Miss Anna R. Fairchild, and comprised 12 pieces of lace and 7 

 fans, formerly belonging to the late Miss Julia S. Bryant, in whose memory they 

 were presented. The laces are of several varieties, mostly of large size, dating 

 back to the seventeenth century, and are of great beauty and value. Just be- 

 fore the close of the year additional cases were provided and the entire collec- 

 tion was rearranged. It is now one of the most attractive features in the 

 Museum. 



COMMEMORATIVE TABLET. 



It is especially pleasing to note the acquisition of a large bronze tablet, inter- 

 esting both historically and artistically, executed by the sculptor, Isidore Konti, 

 for the Hon. Truxton Beale, who has recognized the National Museum as a 

 fitting place for its installation. It symbolizes an act of heroism during the war 

 with Mexico, by which the two participants, whose figures appear in relief on the 

 tablet, namely. Passed Midshipman (afterwards General) Edward F. Beale 



