Excerpt from Catalogue of an Exhibition of Works by the Members of the "Société Des Peintres Et Sculpteurs" (Formerly the Société Nouvelle of Paris): November 16 December 26, 1911

It was by reason of its greatness and because the work of the men in the Société Nouvelle is always worthy of sincere study, and produces great enthusiasm on the part of artists and art students, that the Director of the Albright Art Gallery singled it out and went to Paris to bring over work by each member of the Société for exhibition at the Albright Art Gallery, the Chicago Art Institute, and the City Art Museum of Saint Louis. In order to accomplish the task, it was necessary to meet and Win the con fidence of all the artists and collectors, the directors of the Louvre and Luxembourg, and the directors of the Georges Petit galleries, where this great group holds its annual exhibition in Paris every March. The importance and magnitude of an exhibition by these painters to America can scarcely be conceived. It was known that the Société Nouvelle had never been Willing to leave Paris, even to exhibit in its neighboring European countries yet the Director of the Albright Art Gallery felt it worthy of a trial for the chance of its accomplishment. All the studios werevisited, not only in Paris, but in Meudon, where Rodin creates; in Saint - Cloud, where La Touche paints inspired by the linger ing influence of Marie Antoinette for sylvan scenes and fetes and in various out-of - town studios, where the members of the Société Nouvelle have their summer residences. The artists were one and all courteous and charming, but two difficulties eclipsed all the others; first, no one was anxious to have his works go so far; secondly, these men have such an international reputation that the majority of their paintings have been pur chased in Paris and carried to distant countries for important private collections and museums. Rodin is personally sending three bronzes from his studio. Through the intercession of Mon sieur Charles Cottet, a group of ten works by the late Eugene Carriere is included - Madame Carriere herself contributing family portraits; and a special privilege was accorded by the Luxembourg authorities, who through their Director, Monsieur Leonce Bénédite, have lent important works by aman-jean, Walter Gay, Lucien Simon, and Lepere. Such a favor has never been granted before. At first the Paris world of art was evasive, but finally became enthusiastic and joined feelingly and helpfully with the Director of the Albright Art Gallery in all of her strenuous efforts for this exhibition. The thanks of the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy, Albright Art Gallery, and its Director are tendered to the artists represented, the collectors and dealers, who have so generously lent pictures, the Directors of the Louvre and Luxembourg, the French Government Officials, the Georges Petit Galleries, and to those persons in France and elsewhere who have given sympathetic cooperation in the work of organ izing the first Exhibition of the Société Nouvelle in America. Cornelia bentley sage.

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