The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-03-06
Fer hs Union + Journal.
The Artists Defence.

Maine
Fer hs Usie. + Journal
Tho Artists Defence.
The act of making defence of any par
tlcular profession, implies that II is attacked
or stagmatised; or that i, is held.in lower es-
timation and considered Of less value by the
world in general, than Il really deserves, or
is thought by some to deserve. That the
profession OF Painting Is held IN low estima.
ton, is most assuredly true, and is proved
by the neglect with which Artists are treat
cd, and the contemptuous expressions that
are frequently vented towards them. It is
witha feeling ofabsolute shame and pity,
mixed with wonder at tho necessity Of the
act, that the writer Of this article undertakes
to made defence of Artists, and to show
that their profession isworthy Of honor, and
has just claim to the attention and support
Of the community. We are we'll aware that
there are many in every community to whom
1t is altogether unnecessary to address our.
selves, because they are acquainted with the
subject, and view it in nearly il not quite
the same light that We do. In the houses
Of these persons may b, found fine paintings
and engravinSs, theyery fact of having which
resulted from refined taste and elevated
mind and they arc constantly repaid by
tho presence Of these pictures, in n yer
cloying pleasure, and in being still more
refined, and elevated by the contemplation
of them. .........'
But there is another class Of persons who
seldom, If ever, think Of the subject at all.
The walls Of their homes are bare and guilt
less Of anything like painting. Whatever
signs of wealth you may see, there arc none
of refinement or taste, and tho instant and
natural inference is that there is also lack
acknowledge and intelligence. Everything
that meets the eye is mate rial md tending
only to animal comfort. Every article is
merely one of use. The word useful with
them, means only that which will feed,
clothe and shelter them; or, that is worth a
dollar, or will help to procure money, which
is the end and aim Of their existence.
If the encouragement Of an Artist should
happen to DO mentioned in the presence Of
one of these persons, Il is u little singular
to observe how he is affected by It, and how
no Mt once gives the subject silent sneer Of
contempt, or bursts out with angry terms Of
rcproach upon what he deems an entirely
useless member of society. We have no
doubt Of his sincerity, because no IL very
earnest, when he almost with an air Of
triumph asks the following questions, which
to him, at least, bear conviction on their
very face, and must DO answered to suit bis
views, or ut once put an end TO tho argu-
ment: .......
"Ot what use In the world is man who
paints picturcs7 What good do pictures do
after they are painted? Why does not such
a man, instead Of coping himself up in a
small room with his paints and brushes,
come out into the porld and ,cork, and be en-
ierYrisiny, and not DO drone IN socicty9
Now it is to just such persons, as We have
described above, and to such as ask the above
questions, that we wish to address ourselves.
But 6rst, lest it may be supposed that we
are aiming at an individual, we will distinct.
ly state that we are totally ignorant ofany
person whom We can call by namc, who has
asked any such questions. We only know
that such have been frequently asked, and
whoever did so, is only the representative of
a large number-we were about to say
"whose name is Legion"
We should like to treat this subject in .
perfectly plain and simple manner, and to
reject all fanciful notions with regard to 1t.
We shall therefore answer tho above ques-
tions In order. "0f what use in the world
is q man who paints picturcs?" We do not
at oil agree with you in your under
standing Of the meaning Of the word useful.
We believe that useful thing is not only
that which helps to feed, and clothe, and
shelter. but also that which cultivates the
mind and intellect, and rcfncs the taste.-
But we will take the word with your defni.
ton, and argue the question according to
your view oft. We will begin with sen.
sitivc point. Pray take out your pocket.
book and extract q bill-a bank.bill. Look
at it. Is not its face beautiful in your eyes I?
The great point Of interest, is tho figure V.
or y. That gives It value. The next CUES.
ton is, is 1t good, or is It counterfeit? 1t
is covered all over with pictures, and letters,
front and back. Where do these pictures
come from? Who invents and designs that
intricate and beautiful scroll work, SO art
July, finely, and ingeniously made for the
'cry purpos, Of preventing you from being |
cheated with counterfeit and worthless
bill? Who designs that head Of Washing.
on or somo other great man; or that into
'ior Of some mechanics workshop; or the I
,orscs and other cattle? Look at them,
md see how natural they appear although
o small IN size. Would loss perfect picturss
10 as we!l' No. II is that perfection that
$ one Of your safeguards.
But who makes itso pcrfcct7 We an.
wer, your despised Artist who you think
) off us, in the world. Oh, indeed, you
ever thought Of that before. But you say
hat is engraved. An ensnvcr and paint
or arc two different things. True, but the