Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1890-11-06
SUCCESS OF WOMEN IN ART.


Ella Deity Clymer, in Woman's Journal
SUCCESS OF WOMEN IN ART.
What Prominent Painters Think of Their
Capacity-They Are Talented, But study
Painting as an Accomplishment Rather
Than Profession.
The New York Mail and Express has
been investigating the subject of artistic
careers for women. Five distinguished
artists have given their opinions on her
chances of success. They are Messrs.
Chase. Smillie, De Haas, Kenyon, Cox
and Siddons Mowbray. They speak un-
reservedly, and what they say may we'll
be needed. All agree that women
should and do make as good painters as
men when they settle down to work.
There are fame and fortune for them
too, and an ever widening field of useful
ness.
What women can do in art and what
there is for her in 1t as profession are
now being tested for the first time" said
Mr.. VIM. M. Chase, the artist, the other
day.
'of course, as in every thing else, she
must be absolutely thorough" said Mr.
Chase. "One great drawback with
women is their supersensitiveness They
fear they won't reach the goal, and often
become unnecessarily discouraged
81 have had great many lady pupils
and have been much pleased with their
progress; for instance, Rositta Emmett
now Mrs. Sherwood: Miss Dora Wheeler,
and Miss Hecker have each made very
successful records for themselves as
artists, and have shown what women
can do with the paint brush. In France
there is Miss Bertha Morsot, who is
quite famous painter, and young
Philadelphia, Miss Mary Cassatt, has
done some good work. Yes, there is
long list from Rosa Bonheur to Eliza
beth Gardner who have shown that
women can paint and we must not for
get Louise Breslau mentioned in the
story of Marie Bashkirtseff At pres
emit however, the successful woman
artist Is the exception, and for this rea-
son, that painting is too often taken up
as an accomplishment and not as pro-
fession; but the field should be open for
women, and the question never raised
whether painting is by man or
woman-the character Of the work
should alone be the important issue.
To encourage woman in this field prizes
have been offered of late at the acade-
my. Among the successful competitors
at different times have been Mrs. Con-
die Lamb and Mrs. Jewell. The idea is
to bring out the best possible ideas of
women in this direction.
Painting is not q good business for
any one from a pecuniary standpoint"
Mr.. George H. Smillie, the artist, de-
clares. Nor is it we'll for her to enter
a field already filled with men, who are
physically stronger and better able to
make the fight for living, although
think women are well adapted
by their natural GOOD taste and instinct
for color for the profession of artists
There are few women markedly gifted;
when they possess extraordinary talent
IL is different thing-with the average
of talent there is too much competition.
As for the branches of the art which Of
fer the INSTRUMENTATION / should ad-
wise practical designing. There is a
large field for designers OF wallpaper,
carpets, book covers, and textile fabrics,
Work of this kind is always in demand
and pretty we'll paid for
Il think as a rule the woman who
seeks for an immediate return for her
wears of study must turn to teaching.
Here she can earn 5000 to $1,000 a year
II she makes connection with a school.
am surprised at the number of women
who make living in this way. Many
come to me during their vacations to
brush up and keep themselves fresh, and
my busiest time, as far as teaching is con-
cerned, is during the Christmas and sum
mer holidays. Teaching seems to be
the best outlet, as 1t offers fairly good
and reliable salary.
De Haas, the painter OF marine views
thinks there is just as much in art fol
women as for men. The place they
reach depends upon themselves. They
certainly are capable of acquiring a:
high a position as men," said he, ''botf
in art and literature. il they will only
apply themselves. Lack of application
and the numberless duties which WON
an is expected to perform hinder WON
ans career In this direction. II she il
in dead earnest and intends to succeed
she must give up every thing else bu
her art as a man does. Our ideas o
education are very much at fault 4
boy is expected to acquire an education
A girl is expected to acquire one II i
happens to be possible or convenient
In regard to painting, If girls parent
arein good circumstances. this artis look
ed upon as an accomplishment and sh'
aevelops into a passable amateur. l
the girls parents are poor she must b
exnected to earn something toward he
own support while learning her AIT AL
This binders her and makes it impossible
Cor her to get thorough education.
The idea of going to Europe to stud,
is wrong one, nine times out OF ten
Whv? Do you ask? Because there ar
vood schools here. Let girl get thor
oughly grounded in her art here an