National Republican., 1882-01-21
THE ART ACE.



Art can produce nothing more beautiful. either
In form color, than that which Is most beautiful
in nature. Art, therefore, must ever be initiative
rather than creative. It may however, display
ingenuity In combining and arranging forms aud
colors thnt nature has made, thus producing the
semblanoe of new creation. But In the exercise
Of this liberty great caution must be observed else
the work will appear unnatural aud therefore de-
fective. Many such combinations that are much
praised are simply monstrosltics. Ancient artists
delighted In producing them. Tho absurdity was
pointed out by Horace in his discourse "De Arte
Poetica." Centaurs and mermaids are broad OK
nmples, yet scarcely more SO than many allcgorica
pieces by modern artists in oil or marble. Suppose
one should wish to
PRESENT A LADY FRIEND
with some small object, which should be charm
ing TO her because OF It's surprising beauty, what
would he select3 lie would have to 60 10 nature
for tho gin, would he not2 For what has man
ever made that is so beautiful Rs a pearl. an ame
thyst, diamond. or a rose2 Docs some one say
that art can make a rose or lily as beautiful as
the natural hower7 admit IL; but the artificial
flower Is beautiful because IL Is like the natural
one. It is not original creation. Gems Of nntu-
raj beauty are always small. The precious stones
are small; the most beautiful flowers. birds,
and animals, Gems of art are likewise small, for
1t Is their likeness to natural gems that makes
ciontly admire n certain
ODD nrT or SCULPTURE
by his friend Powers. It was O babys hand done
In marble with wonderful exaotness. Rare gon,s
OF beauty exist In the bird kingdom. 9omo va
retes of the South American humming bird, for
instance, are OF exquisite form aud color. In
brilliancy aud purity their hues compare with the
loveliest stones and the choicest flowers A few
specimens Of these fragile gems OF bird life may
ha ~ G...tN
In any iowelry store an article OF beauty superior
to one Of these delieate creatures As civilization
| advances art is perfected. As rule, the latter
keeps pace with the former. "Why, then," II may
be asked, "nre we. whose civilization Is tho beat
in the world, 40 crude and uRoriginel in Our no
tons Of artT i answer, because we are In such
haste. Wealth iB the product OF industry aud en-
tcrprlse. Art is the child OF wealth and leisure
| The house must be built before
II oAN RE DECORATED.
Our hrst task has been 10 overrun the continent
and subdnc It. Our forefatherz cut down forests
slew wild beasts and Indians and built log cabins
| How could art flourish In their dayy We OF late
generations stimulated by our opportunities /,
accumulate wealth We purchase some recreation
| because We need II, many luxuries because we car
afford them and because we are vainj but W,
have not yet the leisure which Ia essential TO thu
enjoyment OF art and to its vigorous growth. 70
the present, therefore, we pay tribute TO the I'm
| porters We accept the dicta of older nations
authority In art matters nnd II we have money Il
spend decorate our houses with the latest trans
atlantic craze, or with limitations of the same II
plaster or chrome. suppose that II Mr.. Pmng hat
lived in Germany, or Belgium, or England even
| he would have been q great artist instead OF
great manufacturer becoming rich at the expens
| ofart.
| BUT THE ART AGE
| In nftr Ia It tvIi1 eia1