The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-16
THE ART EXHIBIT
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Two more pictures have been profit
ably disposed of by the artists, one, an
oil painting by Evans, Saddle Rock
Peak" which has been generally con-
coded to be one of his best. and the
other water color by Culner, The
Bend d the Jordan River" a depict
ion of familiar scene and one of the
most pleasing of his pictures.
In discussing the question whether
or not a distinct subject was neces-
sary for the success of a painting"
Mr.. Evans was heard to express his
views as follows;
4 do not think that an apparent
subject is necessary. Verestchagin,
the noted Russian artist, says that
many OF his best works. both military
and religious, were painted without
any preconceived idea-were painted
only because the subject interested
him, the moral in each case appearing
count from the very truthfulness of
impressions.
I'VE should appreciate art for arts
sake. At the Worlds Fair many pic
lures with little or no subject matter
were some of the greatest works of
art Others were more popular be-
average person-one particularly that /
recall at present being the Breaking
of Home Ties" whose effective title
and pathetic portrayal ELECTED much
emotional admiration. The first look,
however, produced the best impression,
and further examination revealed the
fact that it was not a great work of
art. That class of paintings appeals
to the masses of the people. The effect
produced by the Artist Corots pictures
was entirely TO the opposite. l remem-
Der once that Dallin insisted on my
looking at a painting by this artist
which at first l did not appreciate:
but closer and continued examination
revealed a beauty. poetry and feeling
that casual glance would not show
proving that great art may or may not
have subject.
"A few remarks on realism and ideal
ism may not be out of place" con-
tinued Mr.. Evans. We often hear the
expression that modern art is too real.
iStic, that we want more idealism. etc.
In our capacity of artists we appre-
ciate what is generally termed ideal
ISM in the work of the old masters. but
we refuse TO initiate them for the sim
pie reason that everything is good il
its own time, and that the realism OF
one century becomes the idealism OF
the next.
E, :, {.
The treatment of a modern artist
often eXcites comment, because, at
first, his mannerism and color seem
strange: but which of the two opposing
views is the correct one, our descend
ants of a century will decide. 1 firmly
believe. as do all our up-to-date paint
ers. that a realistic representation of
the simplicity attending the nativity
of Christ is 1Oftier than the iGealization
of richness and other eXaggeratiOns
to which old masters had recourse.
Yet there can be no doubt that their
aim was TO truthfully represent nature
as they saw and understood it.
Realism is not in conflict with COM
mon sense, science and religion
. &. q
Colonel Kent, Lieutenant jerks and
a party from the fort were noted
among the visitors.
A worthy farmer-wife was visiting
the exhibit yesterday and brought her
youngest hopeful. a diminutive miss
of s. whose opened-eyed appreciation
was most apparent.
Ma" said Miss InquisitiVeness. tug
ging at her mothers shawl. as they
painting of Cattle on River,
Ma. be those cOws2"
Hush. Sarah: yes. of course" whis-
pered the maternal relative.
Well. do you know (seriously) 4
don't think they're half as nice looking
TT STE, REASONER