The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-31

this regimen Of laudatory "pap" and critical
soothing syrup could certainly result in
nothing but artistic inanity and initiation.
The artist indeed, needs the inspiration of a
generous and enthusiastic public appreciation;
but let this degenerate into general, fndsorimi-
nate laudation, and scarcely genius herself
can resist the temptation to fOrego the inn
mortal triumphs of noble toll and rest content
with the shams of Incidence and charlatanry.
From this fatal influence, American art has
not escaped without traces of serious injury.
II must be confessed there exists to-day in the
profession too much faith in the power of
putiery, and too little reliance on the sure and
infallible judgments of time. The few in
stances in which an adrot lavishment of money
and convivial favors upon the press has
gained for artists great nOtoriety and pecu-
mary profit, have affected numbers of earnest
students with the mad dream of sudden fame
and wealth. Have they not seen proof that
there is shorter road to success than that
which the great masters, of all ages, have fol-
lowed Have they not good reason for be-
lieving the public to be utterly devoid of taste
and determinations fit subject for unlimited
dupery What is the influence of our most
prominent painters on the rank and file of
artistic aspirantsH 2 Does it encourage a more
hopeful devotion to the inspiration of beauty
and the enthusiasm of truth, which are the
very life of art, or does il rather create a dis
trust of noble aims and study, and beget an
impatient desire to grasp the dazzling success
of jugglery
This decentralization, which the press and
writers on art have done so much to foster.
seems likely, at last to be arrested and cor
rected by the same agencies. The extensive
influx of a better class of foreign art-works,
affording to the public a standard for estimat-
ing the actual character of American art has
rendered continuation of the old practices of
fulsome laudation utterly impossible. Writers
for the press, accepting the situation" have
endeavored to place themselves on higher
ground, as circumstances required. The ar
fists, unfortunately, could not so readily effect
a change of base. They could not unlearn
the lessons of old habits, and adapt them
selves at once to the sudden advance of the
popular taste. Hence the ancient entente cor
dale was destroyed; and to-day the two
guilds are Illuminating against each other ac-
cusat1ons OF incompetence ignorance, and
malevolence, with most amusing abandon
and vigor. All reverence is at an end. The
veriest critical tyro does not hesitate to impae
artists of the most imposing newspaper fame,
and dash them from his stylus as If they were
only "Malthusian dust" Academies of ada
mantine dignity and continental jurisdiction
are belabored and badgered like the unfortu-
nate beast of Balaam. At the same time
critics of unfathomable bathos receive from
even the squires of the brush as little con-
sideration as ifthey had always manufactured
''opinions" for a price, and knew no more
of drawing and painting than the mob of
academicians.
While both parties are thus exposing each
others weaknesses, the public looks on,
amused, perplexed, or Indifferent, and learns
most important lesson. The utter anarchy
and contradiction which prevail in both the
criticism and practice of ant, serve admirably
'N~"'- ~" '>oonln their own resources
~ UnIvu f'VOr-~ = -, NUT.
and teach them to Judge for themselves. This
lesson they are rapidly mastering. Instances
are not unfrequent ;2 which verdlcts OF
condemnation, pronounced by our most pro-
minent critical authorities, are reversed by
the tribunal of last. appeal-the cultivated
popular taste This is a tendency in the
right direction, and, until art has this broad
foundation in the appreciation and judgment
of the people, it can never reach its full de-
velopment; for the artist cannot have that in
dependence of coteries and that certainty of
final reward which can warrant him in de-
voting his life to the noblest labors.
Another great benefit likely to grow out of
this anarchy, is the introduction of a more
thorough investigation of principles on the
part of both artists and critics. There is un-
deniably an immense, deal of truth in their
mutual accusations of Incompetence for their
professions. A thorough course of artistic
training is, at present, not only unknown, but
impossible in this country. The case is not
much different in criticism.
The above, and other benefits likely to be
evolved from the present artistic chaos, fully
justify us in considering the period one of
peculiar cheer and promise for healthy pro-
gress.