The Portland daily press., 1869-12-06
Street Theughts-Ne. 4.
HISTORIC ART.

Sauntering up Washington street, looking
into the art stores and at the exhibition of sem
sationalism and voluptuousness in almost
every print-seller's window, the question arose,
Is American art in its decadence? We are
not ready to admit it, and yet the rapid crea-
ton and sale of subjects Of pictorial art thus
characterized, at least suggest the thought.
If art is the expression of ideal contempla-
ton, what are the themes of thought among
those who cater for our picture buyers? Why
is it that "the crudities and nudities' Of
French artists and their American imitators
are sought after by the public? .iret i -l.
We believe that the tastes Of the people are
corrupted by the cheap sensationalism that
now prevails-we were about to say reigns-iH
art. Without offending ear or eye by descrip-
ton. a glance at the photograph and other pic
confirm our assertion. sl..ls...
We live in an age of dazzling affiuence OF
material, in a country whose history is full OF
noble suggestiveness We have our plymouth
Rock and our Gettysburg. Our painters and
engravers need not prostitute their talents to
corrupt art, or cramp them by the drudgery of
unambtiOus toll. We have in mind one land
scape painter OF no mean ability whose time
is now spent-nOt in his studio-but decorat-
ing locomotives; and another who is forced to
sell lumber, while many expert with the grav-
ing tool are spending their days preparing
plates for banknOtes. 1t seems evident to us
that If the people were educated to nobler
ideals a demand would soon arise for better
class of pictures. We have not forgotten the
impression which visit fourteen years age
to the palace at Versailles left on our miud
nor later memories of the noble exhibition of
historic art which is to be enjoyed at the ma
tional capital and elsewhere. Why may not
historic painting be oftener found in our gal.
larips n 4 the GRAND ppOcha of cOunfrv
progress be more constantly and vividly be-
| fore our eyes? Take, for instance, Rothermeli
plymouth Rock" of which Andrews hal
made a most elaborate line engraving. We
know of nothing more opportune. We hear
| by the way, that Portland will soon see it, 1
| finely illustrates the landing of the Pilgrim
from the Mayflower, Rose Standish and he
! husband occupying the central points, eacl
face traced with exquisite beauty and strength
| and the accessories handled with spirit ano
| tenderness. As sincerity was a characterlsntle n
| OF medieval architecture, and every stone pc
came an exponent of real devotion, SO mere mere
nave religion and patriotism found
| expression, One sees not only tine clouueo
skies of the winter solstice ana tne rough
4.. ssw,vas OF the bay
| where the Mayhower lay" .
hut ,o,,ob;nq embodiment of thought higher
| and grander than all the galleries OF the Med
;ci aver contained This high, spiritual ex.
nress;on is the charm of such an epic on can
! vass.
wealth and mental activity are guarantees fol
the rapid development of art in America, bu
| that the Choking tares'' of materialism ant
luxury also are products Of her virgin soil
In no surer way can we correct these tenden-
cies than by raising historic art to the position
| it ought to hold and by it quicken those noble
| instincts which it is its province to express
| CAsCo.
Boston, NoU. 1859. 'A