Exhibition—SUPERINTENDENTS^ be ports. 
87 
that art is a necessary part of popular education, and that fine spe¬ 
cimens of the masters, too valuable to be within the ownership of 
many, may, by these art collections, be enjoyed by all, I beg in 
connection with this, my report, to submit some practical sugges¬ 
tions which may lead to the full accomplishment of the purposes 
for which this department has been established. 
First. I would recommend that a direct invitation be extended 
to the artists of our own state, requesting a loan of one or more 
works of art for exhibition, and that suitable provisions be made 
for shipment of the same and return. 
Secondly. That some painting of approved merit and popular 
interest, as a central exhibition, be procured at an expense above 
transportation and insurance, not exceeding $50. 
Thirdly. That the money premium be av/arded to the artists ex¬ 
hibiting their own productions, and that collections of paintings 
of fifty or not less than twenty-five, regardless of the artist, receive 
:Some mark of approbation as a certificate or medal. To illustrate: 
Fifty dollars for the best original portrait in oil. Twenty-fire 
Hollars for the second best. Fifty dollars for the best original 
Landscape in oil, and twenty-five dollars for the second best. Fifty 
dollars for the best specimen of Marble Statuary, and twenty-five 
dollars for the second best. Twenty-five dollars for the best col¬ 
lection of photographs, and fifteen dollars for the second best. 
Then for other works of art, give medals, diplomas, honorable 
mention, etc. Then have a department for the “ coming man,” the 
appreciative in each and every branch of “high art” which would 
excite competition, and your exhibition would be more interesting 
and satisfactory to all, and instead of having a lot of old paintings 
that have been seen year after year, you would have something new. 
I am satisfied that this department of Fine Arts, properly managed, 
will not only be remunerative, but at the same time will be credit¬ 
able to your Agricultural Society, as well as to the state of Wis¬ 
consin. 
The thanks of the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, as well 
as myself, are due especially to Mrs. L. F. Hodges, Mrs. Alex. 
Mitchell, E. T. Mix, Esq., E. R. Persons, Esq., Hon. Geo. W. Allen 
and many other residents of Milwaukee for their aid, by furnishing 
valuable pictures for exhibition. 
