THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
57 
A proposition relating to the promotion of architecture was 
received and considered by the Board of Regents, the plan pro- 
viding, among other things, that designs for buildings might be 
sent to the Institution, and those of a certain degree of merit be 
honored with a place in the gallery of art. The only definite 
action on the subject by the Board was in the form of a resolu- 
tion, as follows: “That architects be invited to send in designs 
for buildings, and that notice be given that models of ancient or 
modern architecture will be received by the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution, and that such designs or models, at the discretion of the 
Regents, will be placed in the Gallery of Art.” No advantage 
seems to have been taken of this invitation. 
1852 
STANLEY COLLECTION OE INDIAN PAINTINGS 
This important series of Indian portraits and scenes by J. M. 
Stanley was deposited by the artist in the Smithsonian Institu- 
tion in 1852. Tike the Catlin Gallery, it was offered for sale to 
the Institution and the Government, but its purchase was never 
consummated. It consisted of one hundred and fifty-two can- 
vases, executed between 1842 and 1852, including a portrait of 
Stanley by A. B. Moore. Subsequent additions were said to 
have been made to the collection, but only the original series 
was described in the catalogue published by the Institution. 
While chiefly of ethnological value, the pictures were considered 
to have considerable artistic merit. 
In the beginning they were installed in the west hall on the 
main floor of the Smithsonian building, but in about 1855 they 
were removed to the western part of the second floor, which had 
been fitted up as a gallery for paintings. Commencing with 
i860 an annual allowance of $100 was made to Mr. Stanley by 
the Institution to enable him to pay the interest on a debt which 
he had incurred to prevent the sacrifice of the collection by 
selling the pictures separately; and, in view of the failure of 
action on the part of Congress, Secretary Henry reported in 1862, 
“that it might become a subject of consideration with the 
Regents to make some provisions for the preservation of the 
collection in its integrity, since otherwise the owner may be 
