BUFFALO SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 27 



Institute of Art which escaped the earthquake and fire of 1906. The 

 valuable Emanuel Walter collection has recently been received by 

 bequest. 



Historical Sketch. The property situated on California and 

 Mason streets, formerly the residence of Mark Hopkins, was deeded 

 to the board of regents of the University of California in 1893, by Mr. 

 Edward F. Searles, for the purposes of "illustration of and instruction 

 in the Fine Arts," under the title of the Mark Hopkins Institute of 

 Art, with the agreement that the San Francisco Art Association be 

 affiliated with the university and placed in charge of the premises and 

 management of the institute. For thirteen years this organization 

 carried on the work of the institute, including frequent exhibitions and 

 lectures, the maintenance of a library and reading room, and the pub- 

 lication of an illustrated magazine. The San Francisco Art Associa- 

 tion had been founded in 1872, for the purpose of fostering a taste for 

 art in the community, and had already conducted exhibitions and main- 

 tained a school in its own rooms for twenty years. The earthquake 

 and fire of 1906 destroyed the institute, with the exception of the 

 collections noted above. After the earthquake Mr. Searles trans- 

 ferred to the San Francisco Art Association what remained of the 

 property of the Mark Hopkins Art Institute, including the insurance 

 on the buildings, to be used for the maintenance of a new art insti- 

 tute known as the San Francisco Institute of Art. The association 

 retains its affiliation with the University of California. 



Financial Support. The San Francisco Art Association, which 

 conducts the Art Institute, derives its income from memberships, 

 school tuition fees, and admission fees. Although affiliated with the 

 University of California the association receives no financial aid from 

 the university or the state, with the exception that it pays no taxes. 



Building. A temporary building was erected in 1907 at a cost 

 of $35,000 derived from the funds of the association. It provides 4500 

 square feet of floor space available for exhibition, and 9500 available 

 for offices, workrooms, and for the School of Design. 



Administration. By a director, responsible to a board of direc- 

 tors. 



Scope. The museum illustrates the fine arts, principally by exam- 

 ples of paintings and drawings in all mediums, and by sculpture. 

 The paintings and drawings are by artists of repute of all nationalities, 

 principally of the last century. 



Library. The former library was totally destroyed. At present 

 there are 392 volumes relating to art. The library is intended for the 

 use of both staff and public. 



