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Article ART FOR ART'S SAKE. ← Page 3 of 3 Article SONNET Page 1 of 1
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Art For Art's Sake.
We have read and thought over this able article much , and while we go some way with it—nay , a good way , as all must do—we cannot quite assent to its positions or subscribe to its conclusions . Is it quite correct to say that " art" can only be " art , " judged properly , or of any real artistic value , according to the good or bad character of the artist ? It may be indeed " subjectively " to you or me , but is it so , can it be so objectively ?
A picture well painted , by whom we know not , affects us with its skill , strikes us by its combinations , and subdues us by its colouring . In the first instance , we do not know who the painter is . Therefore , is not the able and well-meaning writer advancing a paradox when he says that no art has any value which is not the product of an artist of good character . As we said just now , subjectively , it may become so , as the writer puts it , when we know all about the artist ; but then that personal or subjective view does not affect the objective question of simple art , in its work and influences . Does the writer mean to contend that an artist of bad character cannot paint as well as
an artist of good ? that there is a difference in executive effect , or the very art itself ? We fear that , like as with all well-meaning people who do not carefully sometimes consider these " . premises " and " conclusions , " the writer is running a hare which will lead him a long course , asserting a fallacy which must let him down . We fully go with him , in his admiration of those in all arts , who add " character" to " genius , " and whose works attest the nobility and aspirations of their own high aims and gentle lives . But beyond
this we cannot go . We have seen so much evil arise , from the untenable paradoxes of weak but well-meaning people , so much moral harm and mournful reaction produced by an apparently innocent , but really injurious fallacy , that we always think it a pity to make use of arguments which cannot logically be sustained , and feel bound to protest against those unwise propositions , however rightly intentioned , which only serve to disarm friends and encourage the "laughter of fools . " Therefore , agreeing heartily as we do with the writer in most of what he puts forth , we think it better kindly to point out what , in our opinion , is weak and untenable .
Sonnet
SONNET
To BRO . R . A . DOUSIAS LITHGOW , LL . D ., F . S . A ., F . R . S . L ., ETC ., Written after reading his admirable Life and Collected Edition of the Poetical Works of the late John Critchley Prince , just published . BY BKO . G . M . TWBDDELL . TT ^ AITHFUL biographer of as a bard
pure J- As ever strung his lyre in our dear land , Sweeping its chords with a true master ' s hand , But whose whole treatment throughout life was hard , Though some few friends proved trusty , but their power To serve him kept not pace with the desire ; I thank thee , that—warm'd with the sacred fire
Of Truth's high altar , thy spirit ' s noble dower—Thou hast come forth to gather up the strains Flung from his well-tuned harp , ere they be lost , And " keep his memory green " at any cost . Posterity will thank thee for thy pains ; And every lover of pure poesy , While our land ' s language lasts , will owe a debt to thee . . Rose Cottage , Stohesley .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Art For Art's Sake.
We have read and thought over this able article much , and while we go some way with it—nay , a good way , as all must do—we cannot quite assent to its positions or subscribe to its conclusions . Is it quite correct to say that " art" can only be " art , " judged properly , or of any real artistic value , according to the good or bad character of the artist ? It may be indeed " subjectively " to you or me , but is it so , can it be so objectively ?
A picture well painted , by whom we know not , affects us with its skill , strikes us by its combinations , and subdues us by its colouring . In the first instance , we do not know who the painter is . Therefore , is not the able and well-meaning writer advancing a paradox when he says that no art has any value which is not the product of an artist of good character . As we said just now , subjectively , it may become so , as the writer puts it , when we know all about the artist ; but then that personal or subjective view does not affect the objective question of simple art , in its work and influences . Does the writer mean to contend that an artist of bad character cannot paint as well as
an artist of good ? that there is a difference in executive effect , or the very art itself ? We fear that , like as with all well-meaning people who do not carefully sometimes consider these " . premises " and " conclusions , " the writer is running a hare which will lead him a long course , asserting a fallacy which must let him down . We fully go with him , in his admiration of those in all arts , who add " character" to " genius , " and whose works attest the nobility and aspirations of their own high aims and gentle lives . But beyond
this we cannot go . We have seen so much evil arise , from the untenable paradoxes of weak but well-meaning people , so much moral harm and mournful reaction produced by an apparently innocent , but really injurious fallacy , that we always think it a pity to make use of arguments which cannot logically be sustained , and feel bound to protest against those unwise propositions , however rightly intentioned , which only serve to disarm friends and encourage the "laughter of fools . " Therefore , agreeing heartily as we do with the writer in most of what he puts forth , we think it better kindly to point out what , in our opinion , is weak and untenable .
Sonnet
SONNET
To BRO . R . A . DOUSIAS LITHGOW , LL . D ., F . S . A ., F . R . S . L ., ETC ., Written after reading his admirable Life and Collected Edition of the Poetical Works of the late John Critchley Prince , just published . BY BKO . G . M . TWBDDELL . TT ^ AITHFUL biographer of as a bard
pure J- As ever strung his lyre in our dear land , Sweeping its chords with a true master ' s hand , But whose whole treatment throughout life was hard , Though some few friends proved trusty , but their power To serve him kept not pace with the desire ; I thank thee , that—warm'd with the sacred fire
Of Truth's high altar , thy spirit ' s noble dower—Thou hast come forth to gather up the strains Flung from his well-tuned harp , ere they be lost , And " keep his memory green " at any cost . Posterity will thank thee for thy pains ; And every lover of pure poesy , While our land ' s language lasts , will owe a debt to thee . . Rose Cottage , Stohesley .