Report of the Committe on the Art Gallery of Vassar Female College

Report Of The Committe On The Art Gallery Of Vassar Female College by Rev. E. L. Magoon, D. D. The document presents the 1864 report of the committee on the Art Gallery for Vassar Female College. It articulates a philosophy of art, defines art as a vital, restorative force beyond mere ornament, and argues that true art arises from a deep connection with God. The authors emphasize American originality in art and insist that art should be an educative power at the core of the college experience, rather than a collection of plaster casts or inert engravings. They advocate a substantial, living gallery that blends European masterpieces with American landscape and historical works, and they outline specific curatorial ambitions—oil paintings, watercolors, engravings, and a comprehensive program of architecture and typographic history. The report contends that art nourishes the character and intellect, refines judgment, and inspires both students and visitors. It also links the cultivation of art to the broader mission of educating women, concluding with a call to build a noble, enduring artistic environment at Vassar.