20 
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
Influenced by the attention attracted to the Smithsonian by 
the bequest of Mrs. Johnston, but before its disposition had been 
decided by the Court, Mr. Charles L. Freer, of Detroit, Michigan, 
made a deed of gift to the Institution of his notable though still 
unfinished collection, then consisting of over 2,250 pieces. 
Unique in its character and choice in its selection, it combines 
the work of a few American artists, headed by James McNeill 
Whistler, with that of the masters of the Far Hast. So large is 
this collection and so complete its lesson that the donor will 
provide for it a special building near the new structure for 
the National Museum. In the course of another eight months 
Mr. William T. Evans, of New York, presented to the nation a 
collection of fifty paintings by contemporary American artists, 
which, through frequent additions, has been increased to eighty- 
nine examples, and it is understood that others may be expected. 
There have also been several separate gifts of much value, but 
until suitable and more ample quarters are provided it is unlikely 
that much further assistance will be volunteered. 
In view of the events just set forth, it became necessary to 
provide a somewhat definite if tentative organization for the 
department of the fine arts, and, as means were not available for 
adding to the staff, the curatorship of the National Gallery was 
offered to and accepted by Mr. William H. Holmes, Chief of the 
Bureau of American Ethnology and a well-known artist, until 
such time as more permanent arrangements could be effected. 
It was, moreover, considered essential to adopt such measures 
as would insure the maintenance of the gallery at a proper stand- 
ard, and this it seemed could be best brought about in accord- 
ance with the time-honored custom of the Institution of securing 
the aid and cooperation of recognized experts, which has already 
brought into relationship with it many of the most distinguished 
scientific men of the past sixty years. A proposition to this 
effect was favorably considered by the Board of Regents at their 
first meeting after the receipt of the Johnston collection, but it 
was not carried out until a year later. The action decided upon 
was the organization of a permanent honorary committee, com- 
posed of men not only competent to pass judgment on the quality 
of such works of art as might be presented for acceptance by 
the gallery, but also so identified with the art interests of the 
