A Library of Pictures

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1933, Page 23

A Library of Pictures

A new plan to help artists and enable rosidonts of the city to have fine paintings in their homes at small cost is boing worked out by thn College Art Association through a "rent-a-pieture library," to bogin operation ia the early autumn, says tho "New York Times." Tko' scheme is an outgrowth of tho depression. Laßt spring a .group of artists appealed to tho Oollogo Art Association to undertake tho plan for tho benefit of many painters and sculptors whoso sales have boon reduced during tho last few years. Tho board of directors voted 500 dollars to establish tho rent-a-picturo library. Tho ownor of tho building in winch the association lias its headquarters at East Fifty-seventh Street has donated an extra floor rent free for a year to provide headquarters for tho library. This space is to bo partitioned and furnished to resorablo rooms in a home. The pictures and other works of art will bo displayed here in " much the same sotting that they would have in private homos. Persona wishing to rent art objects will visit tho association's display rooms, make their selections, and rent them for specific periods. ' The artists will receive at least 50 per cent, of tho proceeds and as much more as possible, Mrs. Audrey MeMahon, executive secretary of the College Art Association, explained. There is to bo a, sliding scale of rentals, which has not been worked out fully. Customers will take memberships in the library. Applicants will bo investigated to sco that valuable works of art clo not fall into irresponsible hands. According to the glan^ membership

[fees probably will range fionnono dollar to fifty dollars. The more valuable works of art will bo available to the higher-priced memberships. It is probable that those holding the highest-' prico memberships will be able to take out a dozen paintings a year, keeping each one throo months. Both modern and conservative art will bo available for rent, so that all kinds of taste may be satisfied except bad taste. Mrs. McMahon explained that tho association would reserve the right of passing on tho merits of any objects that applicants might want so as to keep tho standards high. A rotating committee, to bo changed every three months, will ' invite 100 artists to submit examples of their work for the library. Those works will bo on display except when rented. About 200 other artists will be invited to submit photographs of work, which thus will bo on call. In caso renters wish to buy any of the works, they will receive rebates of their own membership foes ' plus fees . .paid by. othor renters for this particular . work, so that tho artist will receive no more than tho actual price which he origin; ally set. ' • '-.

Mrs. McMahon explained that the library must bo self-supporting, since the 500 dollars advanced for it by the association must bo repaid and there aro no donations. Sho expects tho membership to includo public institutions, schools, and colleges, as well as privato individuals. No artist will bo invited to submit work for the library who has not had a one-man show. Each work of art will bo insured under a general fine arts policy against all riskSj - —^ ,