The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-11-13
ART.
ARTICLE II.

Swallowed the style of criticism
which [ intend to apply to the works
of our local artists, exhibited at the
late fair, will now make a few
comments upon them, in the order
arranged by the awarding commit
tee. Before l proceed further, will
say that | do not intend to find fault
In any case, simply for the purpose
OF finding fault, neither shall offer
praise where l think it unmerited !;
but l certainly shall diVest myself
OF all prejudice, and with a generous
spirit offer what I believe to be for
the best interest Of art, and its de-
Yelopment.
First then in order, comes the
scripture painting by Mr.. w. Ar
mitage This picture, large and
imposing as it is, naturally attracted
mucn attention; in many respects
it was the most striking picture in
the gallery. The subject, "And He
shall wipe away the tears" is such a
one as is calculated to awaken the
hottest emotions in the human
heart, and one which inevitably
arouses Christian sympathy and
reverential regard In the concep-
ton, then, the artist deserves praise,
To place that conception upon can
vas as it was impressed upon the
mind, was more than our artist
could expect or hope for, but
the bOldness Of the execution
showed the comprehensiveness
of insight, and breadth of
mind, necessary to successfully cope
with such theme. The general eff
feet of the picture was of such a
character, somewhat different to
that of most of the paintings, and
as there was nothing in the same
feeling, the work met with such ap-
probation as inherently belonged to
it, as no comparison could be made
either favorably or otherwise.
Perhaps the most noticeable, be-
cause the most unnatural feature in
the work, was the straining after
effect, in giving the reflection of the
color of the drapery in the immedi-
ate foreground. Why this was at
tempted it is hard to explain, but l
presume the artist had a reason.
| The drawing was fine, and with the
exception of little fiatness in the
face Of the Savior, the work was ex-
ceptionally good. There was a GER
tain stiffness in some of the outlines,
which detracJed from the real tone
of the picture, but altogether it was
such a work as any one of our local
artists might well be proud of.
Next in order was The Mormon
Battalion" by Geo. NJ. Ottinger OF
the subject and its opportunities The
artist had undoubtedly thorough
appreciation, but when he conceived
the picture he was evidently not in
his happiest vein.
The first thought which crossed
my mind, was accompanied by re-
greet that he had not succeeded bet
ter, because it is apparent that
there is a grand idea in the
brain of the artist. The next feeling
was that the work was too great
for one whose advantages were nee
eSsarily limited, as this gentleman
and all others residing here are,
being cut off from any association
with such accessories as are i'm
portant to tile development of a
great picture, such as the artist III
tended this to be.
One can readily understand how
an artist could spend months Of con-
tinuouS labor, and hundreds Of dol
lars, in the preparation of a work
like this, which involves the highest
conception, the most extended faci-
lities and the most thorough treat
ment of an artist whose reputation
and experience would command at
least $4,000 for his work when COM
pleted. Such figures as these of
course never enter the heads, and [
might say the pockets Of our
struggling artists. Such patrons as
are all-important to the production
of pictures of that quality, do not
reside in this city. Such pictures
are therefore unnecessary. 70 at
tempt to paint them, and not make
the work as thorough as such a
subject demands, to make it salts
factory to critical eye. is failure
to exhibit good judgment, and to
paint such pictures in such detail as
| to satisfy an eye Of that kind which
has no attendant bank-account, is
equally futile.
In the meantime then, it seems to
be wise, to keep on the lower levels,
| where there is ample scope to dis
play all the talent which exists and
where there is better opportunity
to find appreciation and patronage.
The picture found many admirers,
and some severe critics. The chief
fault in the work was the inatten-
ten to detail, caused by the ever
towering sense Of oppression, which
seems to have held the artist while
Graphing with a work, over whic b
he evidently has failed to effect a
complete mastery.
1t mast not be inferred that the
| writer believes this artist incapable
of such d work; on the contrary, /
believe that he will yet excel in this
line, but he must proceed slowly.
Much more might be said with refer
ence to both these pictures, but I
trust / have said enough to awaken
a determination in the minds of
both the artists, to give close study
and attention to the details of their