Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-07
PICTURES BY THE MASTERS.
Work. of Art that Have Stood the Test of
Time are Necessary to the Cultivation of
Artistic Feeling-A Suggestion Regard.
ing Mr. Curnegie's Gift.

|
Time are Necessary to the Cultivation of
| Artistic FeeIing-A Suggestion Regard.
ing Mr.. CnrneR Rie's Gift.
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH.
| A LII art requires more or less artificial that
is, cultivated taste for its adequate ap-
probation. Such cultivation must be had,
when had at all. by continual contact with ex-
amples of the art. If the taste thusIformed is to
be the highest, the examples of the art that are
offered in its formative stage must be of the
best. Judgment will differ as to what Is the
best in cotemporaneous art. and the best
judgment may be reversed in very few years.
Only comprehensive consensus of reiterated
opinion can establish the right of any example
to stand as criterion Of its class. Therefore
only the examples that have survived their au-
thors and contain inherent power enough to
compel the attention and critical approval OF
unpreiudiced times and persons Indifferent to
the personality of the artist, are entitled to
rank as standards of taste-that is. as classics.
Contemporary art must seek to reach this es-
tablished standard. Only the most original
creative genius can even appear to evade its
precedents, and his ultimate recognition as
genius will depend upon the recognition OF the
fact that he has only perceived WIDER ana
freer scope for the application of the very
same principles that previous art mas dis
covered and applied
IT may be years before the general artistic
taste reaches the point of recognition, which
is simply the point of reconcilement OF the
new manner or methods with the old principles.
Genius must learn perfect obedience to these
principles order to master their truth. This
once learned, the horizon may widen until new
and sometimes startling applications of these
principles are perceived. Truth Is universal,
and progress IN its illustration in any art can
be limited only in the clearness of its percep-
ton in the artists mind and his mastery of the
material medium which it uses in its express
sion as well as the ultimate capability which
the selected medium possesses.
1t is therefore a recognized principle in every
@ art that cultivation up to the point OF intelll-
should be reached by tracing the history of the
art In the best exponents of its different eras
and most characteristic examples of its great
est masters. If this principle be made opera
tive, the first object in establishing In our city
a collection of art works whose primary pur-
pose may be supposed to be the education OF
the public taste should be to provide authentic
examples of all the greatest masters possible,
ana to hang them chronologically and in dis
tnct Schools" The taste Of the public can be
confidently allowed to form upon these models.
and so be enabled to form an intelligent opin-
lon OF present American art as it may be added
to this nucleus. American students and artists
would also have the advantage Of these models
and would be impelled both by the cultivated
public opinion and by the stimulus of great ex-
amples to produce the best possible results.
ON these grounds it seems to me that in the
long run, and there is a long run ahead,
the purposes that::Mr. Carnegie's munifcence
are intended to subserve, will alone be guar
anteed by devoting great part Of the allotted
amount to the purchase of acknowledged
masterworks. The perpetuity of the income
makes any undue haste in directing it to the
mere pecuniary encouragement of American
art unnecessary; and its temporary diversion
to the collection of group of standard works
must tend to the highest ultimate artistic
encouragement and advancement really
aimed at.
Ir it be urged that the intention is to found
and develop distinct school of American art
we have an answer at hand in the argument
above; for art, like the truth it seeks to ex-
press. is universal in its scope, though fndI-
vidual in its expression. Any individual who
is to further its expression must use its con-
ventional material and master all the genuine
methods of expression practiced by his prede-
cessors, the inherent and general truthfulness
of whose work has been demonstrated in the
responsive recognition given to 1t by
all artistic criticism. To afford the oppor-
take the first great step to the
development of American taste and skill up TO
the present universal standard, and SO to equip
any fortunate genius who may appear here, for
new flights. Should he appear, America may
claim the individual in his personality. but the
world will claim his work and its results be-
cause of its universally.
THE only apology offer for the expression Of
this opinion is tn at it perhaps expresses
phase of the public interest in Mr.. Carnegie's
plan, and that tbs, with me, theory that has |
assumed the force of a conviction.
BEvERIDGE WEBSTER.