The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1865-08-02
0tiaiual Matter.
[For the Pioneer.]
The Fine Art,

1t is no new thing to say, but 1t is true that
Art has noble field in America, and the
Studios clustered in our cities, and scattered
through our country, send forth works which
testify to the talent and devotion our artists
bring to its culture. The power to appreciate
and enjoy these works, fed by the works
themselves, is also rapidly growing, and COM
pared with the knowledge and taste of twen-
ty years ago. the progress is wonderful. We
feel glow of pleasure as we see among our
artists, and our people, the proofs of ripening
power, which may place us high among the
nations in this respect, if we will only seek,
in the true spirit of earnest loyalty, to pu-
rify, and enrich our national genius not
striving only for originality, but by single
minded study, endeavoring to fit ourselves
for expressing what is in us, and to enable
by every elevating influence, whatever gift
of Imagination we possess.
The mihgling among us Of many races,
| and the affect of our many climates, give us
as q people great fexibility and versatility;
| our powers of observ alton are quick, and our
freedom from tradition in Art, may help us
10 gain regions of fancy and Imagination,
new at least, if not higher than those before
| explored, thus far we have all, perhaps
shared too much in a thirst for novelty
| which tends to prevent patient study, and
leads to the production of immature works.
There is disadvantage for us in the lack
Of those opportunities to train the ;eye and
thought, which should enable us to recognize
at ouce the genuinely noble in art and to
accept from it the teachings which it offers
The growing interest expressed for the few
real treasures of elder art that come among
US is therefore a good omen, and it show as
craving which will insist Oh satisfaction
sooner or later.
Modern works also help us to rise from
level to level in this training of the artistic
faculty; and when an American sends from
his studio something which wakes u fine
sympathy within US it is pleasant to feel our
patriotism, our growing love Of art, and all
Cur better instincts springing forward, as it
were, to clasp and hold it.
Often too, we receive tokens of the glow
ing life which our wandering children foster
in the lands where they have exiled them
selves for the sake of art; and while that
which they send us feeds and expands part
of our natures, kept dwarfed in comparison
with the rapidity of our growth in other
directions, the warm and appreciating re-
ceptiOn Wnlcu we give them, cheefS anu sup
ports them in their further labors, as nothing
but voice from home could do.
Our young friend HipE has now sent US q
token, and his Nightmare speaks to us tones
of wonderful power aud depth, telling of
mental and moral development, of genius,
and grasp OF vital energy, o delicacy and
intensity of the facility of expression which
are sure to find o genial recognition. He has
chosen subject 'hat will try the skill of
Artists of years of experience; let us then as
lovers Of art, give him the reception that is
due him by helping him aloug in the study
of his profession by encouraging him in his
efforts. A LOVER OF ART.