Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-02-10
THE FINE ARTS.

THE FINE ARTS.
In all countries the Fine Arts have
attracted the attention of the enlightened
and have called forth the bounty of the
opulent and the powerful. And perhaps
no single agent has been more successful
than the Fine Arts in civilizing and refin-
ing the human race. The artist, as well
the painter as the poet, have ever been
the most conspicuous personages in the
illustrious periods of European history.
Kings and princes We'd with each other
in doing them honor, and in rewarding
the works of their genius. These de-
voted sons of taste have ever toiled
with delight at there quiet and exhaus-
ting labours when they had the assurance
that their works will be justly appreci-
ated and rewarded by an enlig htened
public. Distinction and fame are the sole
objects of true artist. He desires mon
ey only as a means to gain his great end
immortality. He expends, without
hesitation, every resource OH the idols of
his fancy. His days and nights are passed
in meditating upon their beauties. And
finally his own life is sacrificed that they
might live.
A man of ordinary ability, with little
prudence 81 skill in the culling art, may
contrive to cut figure in the literary
world-he may be richly rewarded by
pressing multitude, and gain name. Not
so with the follower of the MUSES., and
the devoted disciple of the pencil. Me-
diocrity in other departments of learning
may be pardonable and even useful.
But in their arduous flight there is no
middle ground. The struggle of the artist
is Tor life or death. His portion is i'm
mortality or eternal oblivion. The diff
culties with which an artist has to con-
tend will be better understood, when we
add, that his ardent soul is so delicately
tuned to the finer sympathies of our ma
ture, that the slightest breath of applause
will refresh his wearied heart. and the
least indication of displeasure will blast
forever the hopes which many years
have cherished. How much do they
need the fostering care of kind and in
dulgent public How much should the
difficulty of their employment, and tine
delicate sensibility of their nature, screen
them from harsh criticism and rude CEN
sure!
These reflections have been suggested
to the mind ofthe writer, by visit lately
made to the painting-rooms of Mr..
Brooks, young artist who has recently
taken up his abode in Charlottesville.
He seems to be man well acquainted
with his profession; and what is better
evidence of his genuine worth as an ar
fist, he appears to be extremely DESTROYS
of attaining greater excellence. He has e.
very appearance of one who devotes him
selft the labours of the pencil, not more
for gain than improvement. His portraits
| understand from those who have seen
the originals, are very accurate, and re-
tain in a good degree the native ANNA
ton and expression of the features an
excellence not easily attained. 1t GER
tainly becomes the intelligent and tasteful
citizens of Charlottesville to give some
encouragement to the young man, if he
has merit and of that they can only
judge by a careful examination of his
works. 1t is ridiculous to suppose that
a man can pass correct opinion on
works of that nature, by mere glance
OF the eye, without any knowledge
whatever of the art by which they are
produced.
If it required years of study by those
who were the professed disciples of pain.
ting, to comprehend the designs of {
Raphael or an Angelo, surely it become.
those who know nothing of the art to be
cautious in passing an opinion on the
most humble ard unpretending works o
the pencil. NO ARTIST.
-~e9s--
Journeym en.--At the present term o
the superior court held in this city "a yer
dict of 8 I75 was obtained bv Rloomer ,