, 1886-09-30
PICTORIAL METHODS.
EXTENT TO WHICH THEY ORE AP-
Piled IN COMMERCE

A Great Extension of Illustrative Art
New Processes in Use-Departure In
Wood Engraving-Ths Huifnx Machine
Beautiful Work Done.
The extraordinary extent TO which va
rious pictorial methods have been ap-
pied artistically for commercial purposes
IS a marxed feature of the recent devel-
opment of the industrial arts In this coun-
try. In nearly all departments of ad-
vertis.ng by paper and ink, n degr.e OF
taite 10 required to-day, which a few
years ago. would have been considered
rid.cu,ously ~extravagant. To a class of
work which formerly would have been
considered satisfactorily executed with
the meane>t kind OF p tper and the rudest
Typography. an amount OF care. taste and
expenditure Is Often devoted which would
be worthy the finest magazine work
Some of the commercial catalogues got
ten cut are SO beautifully lone that they
are eagerly sought by collectors; there
are great manufacturing concerns which
even spend from e8J.0 oJ to 800, OOO In get
ting up mn illustrated catalogue.
VARIOUS NEW PROCESSES.
The variou. new process ses of illustra-
ton have brought about a great extension
of pictorial art and It's apple tt on to =
variety of new purpose+ The old arts of
wood and steel %engaviny have like wise
seen Il 3 milar expansion, altnou On it was
%prophesied at one time tnat the new pro-
cesses would WORK their substantial ex-
t~inction. But 1t seems to be the rule that
the invention of new processes so en-
larges the fed as to develop new uses for
the old ones. and cause an improvement
of the same This has notably been tue
case with wood engraving, which, since
the invention of process work by the aid
OF photography, has achieved a degree OF
delidacy-o f manipulation hardly dreamed
OF before. Mt has therefore been applied
to new purposes for which process-work
would harry be available.
Akin to the new departure in wood en-
craving is that brought about In steel en-
craving by the uses found Tor the ruling
machine. This art was most familiar in
It's application to the production OF copies
OF famous paintings, often admired for re-
markable technical correctness in line
and stipple, but so old and ~liieless that,
in connection with the black walnut aud
hnirc,oth furniture OF the era to which
they belonged, they sent a chilling u
der through the beholder as II premoni-
tory or the funeral ceremonies which
seemed to be the Ultimate design of the
gloomy apartments with which they were
associated. hence its uses ranged dow
thu ough the establishment of subscrip-
tion volumes, town histories, and the
like, with portraits of various worthless
aud local m~agnates, to the production of
bank-note work and visiting cards.
II RULING MACHINE.
The ruling machine, however, popula--
lied the art through the %cieapness aud
facility with which the work was accom-
plished, and in the wood-engraving. ena-
bled the easy production of effects which,
II attainabie by the old means. were sell
dom, II ever, attained. While the pains
taking old engraver might be scorn nj OF
the technique Of the new work. IL was un-
deniabie that effects of texture and at
mosphere rich velvety blacks, and deli
cate ordinations were reached, together
with a warmth and sympathy which ha |
previously not Decn associated with steel
engraving Thee effects were first no.
ticed In humorous Jspanese-like designs
which were highly popular q few years
ago, and which were among the
frs; applications of japanese art prin-
clples In the Occident. rh.ss cam. Into
great demand for commercial work OF va
rious kinds, uch as programmes, dane
ing-cards, advertising circulars, etc, aDd
shown in Europe, were m yh admired as
examples OF American art Since then,
steel engraving has been in steady de-
m nd for sucl purposes, AMI ir artistic
merit there has been a continued i'm
p~rovements.
The beautiful work done for the recent
bankers convention Is an instance OF this
the simple elegance of the invitations,
with the w sides of the SEQ gold piece on
the front, as the appropriate standard of
financial strength; and the exquisite
beauty Of the menu cards for the banquet
at the Parker house. the main feature OF
which was a simple Japanese-lik motives;
two b rds sitting costly or a b rinch. the
effect OF the black and white heightened
and enriched by hand painting, with three
simple hues deity AMI broa lily applied;
sub red and blue to the plumaQe and
some touches of green to the lew leaves
on the bouxh, the Whole IN liking a b'au-
tiful combination of delicacy. warmth
and simplicity OF design, showing with
rare effect on the contrasting ground OF
almost ivory like thick cardboard. On
the back was a medallion of Washington
with palm branches, a fitting symbol OF
integrily.-Bo.ton Herald.