THE ROYAL ACADEMY.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Your article in the Spectator of May 6th drawing atten- tion to the absurdity of allowing any artist to send in eight works to the Academy, is most timely; but like its forerunners in the same cause, it will probably meet with the same fate,— oblivion as regards those in authority. Many years ago, in an early number of the Artist, I think, or it might have been the Echo (it matters little in what paper), I drew attention to this astounding error ; and I added some calculations, which, with your permission, I will apply to the exhibition of the present year. In my former statement I calculated that each of the eight thousand or nine thousand works of art sent in had about a minute and a half devoted to its inspection. That was little enough ; but to-day the state of affairs is far worse. Works were sent in (last day) on Tuesday, March 28th; so we may conclude that the march-past began on the 29th. A water-colourist, " C.," received his intimation of " regret " enclosed in an envelope bearing the Academy's red emblazoned arms, that all who run may read, on April 11th, just twelve days later. Now, supposing it be true that everything passes twice before the Com- mittee ; supposing also it be a fact that the oil pic- tures are judged first ; and supposing that the selectors work for eight hours a day, we may conclude that in these twelve days, or ninety-six hours, or five thousand seven hundred and sixty minutes, the enormous multitude of twelve thousand or fourteen thousand works of all kinds, passed once, and those up to the letter "C." twice, before the weary eyes of our voluntary martyrs. If we only knew the exact number sent in, the exact plan of selection pursued, and the exact day when a rejected Mr. X. or Miss Z. received the fatal letter (or rather when the letter was written), we could arrive at the exact facts ; but, approximately, twelve thousand things passing in five thousand seven hundred and sixty minutes allows about half a minute to each work. How many of these, we may inquire, would be recognised by their judges if seen again ? Now, supposing these twelve thousand represent the work of three thousand artists sending in four works each, it stands to reason that if they were only allowed to send in one work each of the said three thousand would be allotted four timesas much time for its inspection, acceptance, or con- demnation, which means two minutes or one hundred and twenty seconds, instead of thirty seconds. There are this year twelve hundred and fifty-eight outsiders exhibiting nineteen hundred and forty-two works, an average of about one work and a half to each artist ; so that a reduction would make little difference to the mass of exhibitors, who are only represented by one work. But to the six hundred and eighty- four extra artists, who would be made happy by having their works placed in the galleries, it would make all the difference in the world ; and the public would probably gain by having a greater variety of individuality to criticise. Even a reduc- tion to two works would be better than the present arrange- ment ; and it cannot be too often repeated that reputations have always been made at the Paris Salons by the exhibition, at most, of two works. Surely if such painters as Corot, Meissonier, Dagnan-Bouveret, and that great animaliste who has just passed away from us, could become celebrated by showing annually two pictures only, the same number might suffice for distinguished English portraitists, whether native or naturalised. Of course, the " R.A.'s " and " A.R.A.'s " have the right to do what they like in their own shop ; but, as a matter of fact, the reduction to two, or three, or four pictures would make little difference to the bulk of the members, as the average this year to each man is about two.
The numbers of exhibiting members of the Academy are as follows. Sixty artists exhibit one hundred and eighty-nine works. Fourteen send one each ; sixteen send two each; eight send three each ; eleven send four each ; six send five each ' • one sends six ; three send seven each ; and Mr. Herkomer has the distinction of being the one member who sends his full complement of eight pictures. If, therefore, members only sent three works, as against one or two for outsiders, eleven members would have been deprived of one exhibit ; six of two ; one of three; three of four, and Mr. Herkomer of five. In other words, twenty-two members would have exhibited sixty-six works instead of one hundred and nine. Of these, six are portraitists ; two are sculptors ; three are sea-painters ; two, cattle ; three, landscapists ; three, figure-painters ; and three are universal providers. Most persons would think the saving in brain wear and tear would be worth these sacrifices. Just imagine passing eight hours every day for a fortnight in looking at pictures which whirl past at the rate of two a minute; or faster, if rest and refreshments are indulged in !
Want of space prevents me referring to other grievances of outsiders ; but one, the crowded out of accepted works, might be palliated by printing their authors' names at the end of the catalogue under " Unhung for want of space."—I am, Sir, S. B.
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