Mount Holyoke College - Llamarada Yearbook (South Hadley, MA)

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London, collecting books and photographs, under the direction of Mrs. Mitchell and Professor Kinkel. In a letter to Miss Blanchard dated Bassano, August 12, 1877, Mrs. Mitchell expresses her personal interest in the introduction of Art at Mount Holyoke. “ I am more than glad to be of what little service I can in this matter and wish I had it in my power to do much more. The subject is so important and one that can be made of such interest and value to young ladies, I have long desired to see it receive the systematic and careful attention, in the course at Mount Holyoke, which it deserves.” From her return, in 1878, till her res- ignation, in 1889, Miss Blanchard gave the instruction in History of Art,with the same thoroughness of preparation and mastery of principles which had characterized all her work as a teacher, together with a refined taste and a high appreciation of the master- pieces of Art. Her large and valuable photographs were freely used for her classes, or hung in the halls as a daily object lesson to all. She gave an impulse to the movement among the alumnae to secure copies of famous works in painting, the Assumption by Titian being purchased by her own class, 1858. Courses of lectures continued to be given by Professor William H. Goodyear and by Professor Mather. Meanwhile at Lake Erie Seminary, History of Art had become one of the studies of the senior year and the class of ’79 had shown their appreciation of its value by establishing a fund for the purchase of casts and other art illustrations. In 1882 Miss Randolph, of the Mount Holyoke class of 1872, returned from two years and 12 THE LECTURE ROOM, ART HISTORY. t

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rar sculptures, given by special favor, in the galleries of the Vatican, to the ladies of her classes. She and Mr. Mitchell, who was devoted to water color painting, had hidden themselves in Venice for a season of study. Mrs. Mitchell was even then outlining her great work on the History of Sculpture. But Mount Holyoke was “ the open sesame ” to their hospitality, and many were the excursions to palaces and galleries and by-ways of Venice, unknown to the tourist world, while equally interesting were the talks on art in their quaint Venetian rooms, opening from the Riva towards the island of San Giorgio. In July, Miss Blanchard and Miss Evans had reached Switzerland, on their homeward journey, when a letter was re- ceived from Mount Holyoke requesting Miss Blanchard to remain abroad for the study of the History of Art, which resulted in a change of plans for both friends. Un- expectedly their steps were turned to Zurich and to the university, which had been gen- erous, above others, in admitting women, and especially American women, to the courses in medicine. Miss Blanchard and Miss Evans found a helpful friend in Pro- fessor Kinkel, the successor of Professor Wilhelm Liibke, in History of Artat Zurich. Professor Kinkel was an intimate friend of the Hon. Carl Schurz and had a cordial interest in American students. The university term was just closing, but free admission was given to the hall of casts and to the collection of engravings, with the use of the catalogues and notes prepared for students. The opportunities at Zurich were further supplemented by months of study in Paris and 11 Al.HAMHKA COKKIDOK. I.AKF KKIK SKMIN’AKV.

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more spent in study in the European art centres, in Greece and the Troad. She then began the work in History of Art which she has carried on for fifteen years, continuing her studies in almost yearly visits abroad and enlarging her collection of illustrative material, until it may safely be called one of the best private collections in the country. Miss Randolph’s fine enthu- siasm in study and her ready grasp of the related facts and principles in the historical develop- ment of art have been a means of growth and culture to successive classes at “ Lake Erie,” in the School of Design, Cleveland, and elsewhere throughout the Western Reserve. It is not strange that her own Alma Mater coveted her services and called her to Mount Holyoke in 1892, with the understanding, however, that one third of the year should be given to “ Lake Erie.” The teaching of History of Art at Mount Holyoke and “ Lake Erie” has been characterized by breadth and depth. The philosophical method of Germany has had a prevailing influence. If any should criticize the attempt to cover in a single course the whole ground of Ancient Art and of Modern Art to the seventeenth century, it may be answered that it has been a study of relations rather than of details. It has also been practical as well as theoretical and fundamental. Students, who have accompanied Miss Randolph, in journeys abroad, have been well prepared to profit by the experience, and have come home interested to carry out some special line of work, based upon the broad and solid foundation of their previous study. The elective courses at Mount Holyoke already offer such an opportunity, a well-defined, more detailed review in archaeology and of periods and schools of art. For such advanced special courses, however, more room is immediately required. The space used in Williston Hall is not only limited, but crowded with the work of other departments; the art gallery, on the third floor, insufficient and poorly lighted. An Art Building, is greatly needed at Mount Holyoke, to include galleries, suitable for the exhibition of casts and pictures, a large well-lighted lecture hall, with a series of smaller rooms for laboratory work, in Art History, and for the storing of valuable books and illustrations. And, in direct connection, studios for the required and elective classes in drawing and painting. In this time of new buildings for Mount Holyoke such an immediate, pressing need should not pass unrecognized, certainly of vital importance to the art department of the college. The materials for this sketch, in much the same formas here presented, were kindly furnished by Miss Evans, principal of Lake Erie Seminary. The final statement, as to the needs of the art department of Mount Holyoke College, is from an appeal written by Miss Randolph, in December. 1896.