The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-25
ARTISTS WHO GROWL.

cisco who have been EurOpeaniZeG, so to
speak. appear to lament the conditions
under which they pursue their profession
in California, and give the impression that
they sigh for the more perfect artistic at
mosphere which seems to them to exist in
the Old World. They are depressed from
want Of appreciation and sympathy. which
possibly means failure to sell picture the
moment it is dry. and they sigh for pub
lie gallery where they may elevate their
minds by the study of what others have
done in achieving distinction. They even
seem to have the impression that the very
subjects which lend themselves most fit
tingly to painters conceptions and tech
meal range are here either sparse or In
ferior. and so dependency is apt to be en-
gendered by the whole field OF art In Cali
fornia. In all these assumptions there is a
good deal of delusion. The want Of pub
lie gallery is the chief drawback, and that
will come in time.
Such things as can be taught in art-how
TO draw and lay on color, with masters of
great skill and even genius to direct the
tyro's struggles-may be better learned in
Europe than anywhere else. The student
may sigh for the facilities there available
in such abundance, but how many great
men of all time are there who owe nothing
to academies or schools. who taught them
selves and founded styles which others
have followed in feeble imitation? But
the aroma of art undoubtedly permeates
some of these Old World cities. and admit
ting their value to the student, and the
formative influence they exercise on the
hat hnr &c
not afterward sufficient announcement to
art in America to stimulate ayoung man to
follow his bent and to do something to diff
fuse and elevate the taste whose stunted de-
yelopment he seems to deplore. A candid
examination OF the subject shows that
there ia generous encouragement, not only
for American artists in America, but for
large number of French artists who al
most live on American patrons.
What is the condition of art at this mo-
ment in France, England. Germany, Italy
or anywhere in Europe? FOur-ffths of
the artists are struggling, not to paint
we'll. but to make living. Thousands of
them cannot earn livelihood paint what
they will in historical subject. genre. land
scape, portrait or still life. The dealers
galleries are glutted with pictures they
cannot sell. and they are disinclined to lum-
Der their rooms with more, especially medi-
OGRE works. The public exhibitions In
Paris and London contain much admir-
able work. but what comes of most of il? 1t
goes back to the artist, or is traded for a
song to dealers or creditors. Even artists
Of the highest mark have difficulty in find
ing buyers. If they dispose of third of
hair hoy poou han
selves fortunate. The stagnation in Eng
land this year is deplorable. Men who
enjoy renown are competing for the
privilege of doing black and white work
for books. magazines and journals.
The Californian artist complains of dull
times. When was it otherwise? Does he
imagine he will succeed better in France,
England or Italy selling his works there?
Let him try it. He may get into the
salon, but what about getting out of it to
the bankers? Or does he imagine he can
paint abroad always and sell at home?
That. too. will end in failure. as it should
do. Let him cast in his fortune with his
own land. He has scenery enough and
history, too, for tbemes. For the marine
artist there is nothing 10 surpass San
Francisco Bay in the world. and yet 1t has
been little needed. Hook, Moore. Colin
Hunter. Ellis or Henry would find sub
jects for all their lives if they Outlived
Methusaleh. Pure landscape in associa-
ton with human life is not scarce; noun
taius and skies are here; incidents for the
genre painter are abundant in city and
rural life; and history can be made on
canvas for America as we'll as Europe.
Even in the matter OF appreciation. if all
the money spent on art in this city were
added, some OF it may not have been spent
we'll, but the total would be formidable.
No more growing. if you please.