The morning call., 1892-09-16
WHAT Is ARTISTIC BEAUTY ?
Valuable Comments on 1.-The
Calls" Canvass.
Efforts to Direct Thought Toward Elevating
Subjects Generally Appreciated by
Cultured Intelligencs.

The endeavor made by THE CALL to
elicit cultured opinion ON the city's archi-
lecture has met with surprising success.
Surprising, because there was no cer-
tainty that the Importance of the subject
had become generally recognized.
Surprising, too. because the discussion
has brought forth an unusual number of
opinions so valuable in character that they
will doubtless leave lasting impression
on the public mind for the pubic good
Why should we have ugly bulldingsp
Mainly because people don't think.
That is what a discussion shows.
When Culture is asked about arcbitec-
tural beauty in direct terms it turns out
that she has very decided views On the sub
ject.
Heneeforth we will look at new build
ing in a new light.
We will be inclined to Judge 1t from its
ornamental and esthetIc as we'll as from its
utilitarlan aspect.
For, after all. if man is known by his
clothes. much more must city be judged
by its buildings.
The Evening Bulletin, in long editorial
published yesterday entitled Art in Archi-
lecture" comments aptiy on the necessity
for strict definition of 1.-THE most artistic
building"
After stating that IA votes in THE CALLS
canvass had been cast for the Hibernia
Bank building, the editorial says: Prob
ably this result will fairly represent edu-
Gated taste"
The article, at the same time. admits that
the opinion may be open to technical criti-
cism.
THE contest" it says, sis really between
the Hibernia and the Mills building Per-
haps il the Mutual Life building were COM
peted II might be stronger competitor,
and gives reasons for so thinking.
Continuing, the editorial makes the fol-
lowing valuable general comment:
Artistic architecture has been defined by ar
tistic authority as that which makes good pic
ture. This implies the presence OF the piclur-
esque rather than. necessarily OF The arehitec-
turalIy correct element, though there need be nc
incongruiIy between the two. AS the artists
who nave joined In this decision are not archi-
tects, very sely they have been largely infu-
erly the question:, (Which is the most artistic
building ?' includes not only the element OF pic
turesqueness but also that OF architectural pur-
ity aud correctness.
Another opinion of much interest has
been sent in in the form Of letter, from
which the following extracts are given:
THE CALL has done the public service 10
discussing the merits Of our public edlhceS.
Now that the artists have rendered their verdict
IL may not be immodest IN layman TO give his
opinion. Not everybody can have statues and
pictures. and il they are bad they cannot do any
particular harm; but everybody almost live. in
a house, has one or desires TO have one, and Is
necessarily interested in architecture.
We have no national architecture, because we
are not yet nation. All architecture Is the
esthetic expression OF the living habits Of the
people.
Nearly all great art has been In the service OF
religion.
Ii is not symmetry, proportion, harmony that
makes architecture. These you may find In a
barn. What distinguishes architecture from
building is ornament. and ornament Is The ex-
preston OF our pleasure ia the forms OF higher
life.
A striking feature of our San Francisco archl-
lecture is the lack OF good color. Our buildings
are yellowish, gray, brown. dust color. No one
can be an artist who does not love color. TIE
sense OF color Is superior TO the sense OF form,
and is the apOtheoss OF artistic intuition.
The HlberOia building is perfect; yes, too per-
feet. There Is not a flaw In IT, But great excel
lency without great fault Is unimaginaDle. What
is fautless cannot be great.
We need not expect noble architecture at pres
ent. Our way Is not The one 10 form artistic
workers, but only copyists aud mechanics. AS
long as we confine the w0rEman TO such work
there Is no chance OF cullivaiing his head and
heart. Ii he had more liberty and were allowed
10 do the best he could We might at least have
some healthy rude art. which would bear within
1t the seed OF future fruitful Developments.
E. NJ WEISS.