APPENDIX 2. 

 KEPORT ON THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART. 



Sir : I haA e the honor to submit the following report on the af- 

 fairs of the National Gallery of Art for the year endino- June 30. 

 3922. 



The second year of the existence of the National Gallery as a 

 separate administrative unit of the Smithsonian Institution closed 

 with substantial reasons for satisfaction with the progress made, 

 notwithstanding the fact that the accessions of art works fall short 

 of the average for a number of previous years. The activities of 

 the gallery continued in all essential respects in directions identical 

 with those of the preceding year, the personnel being limited to a 

 director and a secretary with clerical assistance, a guard, three 

 watchmen, two laborers, and two charwomen. 



Full information regarding the inception and growth of the gal- 

 lery within the Institution and as a subsection of the department of 

 anthropology of the National Museum may be found in the report 

 of the secretary of the Institution for the preceding year, and more 

 especially in an earlier publication (Bulletin 70, U. S. National 

 Museum) prepared by former assistant secretary, Dr. Richard 

 Rathbun. 



Although art was recognized as a legitimate field of activity in 

 th'e organization of the Institution, and on equal terms with science. 

 and although numerous paintings and other works were acquired as 

 the years passed, no special provision was made for their accommoda- 

 tion, space being assigned them in various places as the years passed, 

 and no special provision was made for adding to the collection by 

 purchase. Since the completion of the Natural History Building the 

 collections have found space in that building, finally occupying the 

 large central hall which was subdivided by screen partitions for 

 their accommodation. This resource has. however, reached its limit, 

 and additions accepted can find exhibition space only by storing 

 the less important works previously acquired. This condition is 

 most unfortunate since the inflow of gifts and bequests, upon which 

 the gallery depends for accessions, is governed largely by the char- 

 acter of the accommodations afforded.' The vital importance of this 

 shortage of space will be appreciated when it is stated that the in- 

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