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Jewish name no barrier for art gallery’s success by David Schwartz Art galleries draw crowds these days, but what is art? It’s not anything you can eat or wear. Israel Zangwill said “art is truth seen as beauty.” So art is concerned with important things—truth and beauty. One thing that stands out above all about art is that it is universalistic. You may not be able to understand a Frenchman’s language or a Chinese speaking but there is no difficulty in understanding and appreciating their art. The language of art transcends all national, racial or religious boundaries. So art is worthy of some appreciating. Anyway, Joe Hirshhorn did almost all of his life. Hirshhorn came from Riga. Russia. In America he first lived in Brooklyn and it was at the early age of 17 that he invested a hard earned $75 for two engravings that impressed him. That was the beginning of a kind of love affair with art that has continued even up to today—at an age close to 80. Year after year, he added to the collection. His business affairs, which had nothing to do with art, prospered, so he had money to purchase more and more pictures and sculptures. One day in President Johnson’s Administration, Joe Hirshorn visited the White House. He wanted to present his art collection, estimated then to be worth $50 million—now double that amount-to America. President Johnson naturally was pleased and worked to get Congress to provide a building for the proposed new gallery and there was general praise of the President for having secured the collection. It was known that England and other countries were anxious for it. Yet not much later, there was a flood of criticism about the project. Any and every kind of statement was made. The collection, it was said, was of an inferior quality. Also the site chosen for the new gallery could be better used. The gallery, it was said, was sure to prove a great flop. Few would ever visit it. Hirshhorn was told by many others that if he didn’t insist on the gallery bearing his name, there would be smooth sailing. Damn it, no, said Hirshhorn. This had been his whole life. There were other museums, the Whitney, the Corcoran, the Smithsonian named for individuals who had established them. Why shouldn’t the art gallery have his name? Joe Hirshhorn finally of course had his way. The prophecies that the art museum would be a failure are now proven ridiculous. Anne Lewis, art critic of the Washington Post writes that the Hirshhorn Art Gallery had a bigger attendance last year than the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The idea of attacking a museum because it bears a Jewish name seems so utterly stupid. What would Rembrandt have thought of it? Recently the press reported the many millions asked for Rembrandt’s picture, The Rabbi. No doubt, Rembrandt knew that the rabbi had a Jewish name. Most rabbis do. Rembrandt painted many pictures of Jews which are today most prized possessions of art galleries. Chagall is probably one of the top living painters of the world today. He, being a Jew, has also a Jewish name. Rothko, Gottlieb, Newman — top figures of American art—also are Jewish names. Not only that, they were Jews. We’ve Got What You’re Looking For Editorials What’s Happening People In The News Classified Ads plus much more Subscribe Today! 876-8248 WE’RE THERE WHEW YOU NEED US^^H "\ All weHt Supmlwd by l Matter Plumber ■ a Matter Pwaber Plumbery Residential Commercial Industrial • installations - Ajua-stwvtj • repairs — • drain cleaning sewers Serving: • water heaters Northeast Atlanta • Sandy Springs • Dunwoody * Chamblee • Norcross • Burkhead • Doraville 3828 Stewart Rd., Atlanta, GA 30340 4S5-6H3 ATLANTA’S LARGEST SO,000 Titles in AU Categories HARDCOVER • PAPERBACK • MAGAZINES OUT-OF-TOWN NEWSPAPERS • FOREIGN PUBLICATIONS Used Paperbacks — Sell or Trade We special order any title in prim "mT s.i. » . .. » P m 2345 P««l»tre* Rd„ N.E. 2*2-3332 Sunday, II 'a.in.-7 pm la I be Peachtree Battle Sboppteg (eater all makes—all models 3190 Peachtree Road, N.E. in Buckhead Atlanta, Georgia 30305 (404) 231-9190 0ME FEAST AT THE LUAU TABLE! Polynesian Style! OPEN FOR LUNCH—Mon thru Sat Special Butmettmen t Luncheon Menu DOWNTOWN LOCATION ONLY Trader Bag’s Luau For A Mott Happy Experience — Now 2 Location* » 300 W P tree Aero** from Hyatt Rtgenry t Roiwell Rd One Block N of Piodmon 523-5822 233-5391 % SID SHIKR INTERIORS AS USUAL, MAKING A TLA NT A 'S HOMES PERSONALLY YOURS l)ESIG \l.\(i IS I K 4 PI liOS AI a \ n COSTE StPORARY SETTISOS SID SHIER BILE BROWN 349 PEA( HI RLE till IS A\E„ NT 233-6500 PLACE P*|* 11 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE August 3, 1979