The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-20
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THE ART EXHIBIT.



Gates that the people are not only
appreciative of our home talent in this,
the most refined of all human occupa-
lions, but that they are anxious 10
maintain the artist class as factors of
society
Surely Utah is the ideal of art
Surely where nature is most artistic,
where her gigantic forces have rent
the earth and tossed the surface into
Handicapped symbols of divine grand
eur; where water is not merely water,
but a crystal torrent singing and bah
bling all the way from the eternal
snow to its restful quiet in the silvery
lake; surely, in the midst of such sur
roundings, are we not justified in pre-
dieting for Salt Lake that it is des-
tined to become the seat of the most
gifted, original and INDEPENDENT art
that our country shall produce!
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1t is to the credit of this city that
we are disposed to make known to
the world our ample material re-
sources. Our educational interests
have been prime objects of regard
abroad. Our remarkable musical tall
ent has been well advertised. But it
has not been so apparent that the art
development of this city and state is
worthy of the most encouraging con-
I,Sideration. A country without art
ranks but little above barbarism. 1t
could not be otherwise than a great
credit to new country to have a rep
utation for art. No item could be
more effectively advertised abroad
among people of culture and refine
ment.
AS to the artists themselves, we may
say that they are "a rather peculiar
class. so long as the spirit of the age
is so thoroughly materialistic and
money-getting. While business men
are handling commodities and values,
the true artist is conniving oyer some
dream of his soul; he is endeavoring
to catch some furtive CLEAN of intel
ligence some expression of wit, wis
dom, stupidity. love. hate, fear, anger
or other passion, and each of these he
seeks to reproduce in some permanent
form so as to make the material sub
stance forever commemorate the at
tributes of mind, whether human or
divine. The raw material of the true
artist is the gossamer of MS soul
which he works out into pathos, beauty
character, moral quality and whatever
else enters into existence.
The finished product must emanate,
first of all, from within. The palette
and brush are but minor mechanical
incidents in the process. The bust
ness man would own the mountain or
the valley in legal sense, but the ar
fist would more truly own lit when he
recreates it as an object of beauty and
grandeur.
The art exhibition which closes with
the incoming of the new year. is in
many respects a highly successful I'M
orfa L ir7c for ho Of
awakening public sentiment upon the
subject. The most important result
is perhaps that the artists themselves
are encouraged to believe that there is
a future of intelligent and substantial
appreciation for their profession, and
the certainty that they may work in,
the confident hope that their zeal and
industry will not fail of recognition. 1t
is, therefore, believed that the annual
exhibitions will stimulate art develop
ment in Utah and give TO home talent
respectable standing abroad.
90 q @
Among the water colors the vivid
little scene entitled Summer" is one
of John Hafen's best The little
sketches of Liberty park by Harwood
are also very popular, while Evans
Thistle Patch is among the favor
ties.
TheSe artists are young. They have
future and fame before them. They
have worked well and faithfully. There
are many promising art students who
exhibit this year. Among them may
be noted Earnest NJ. Pratt, whose
drawing of the Venus de Milo" is a
superb little effort His paintings are
promising as well, and were there
many as promising young artists
Utah's future art would be assured.
a a =
Misses Richards and Teasdel both
have flower studies, which are adj
mired for grace and beauty, and other
exhibitors, who are not professional
workers, show artist originality in their
work of the exhibition. It must be
remembered that the main object is to
stimulate public interest and to aid in
giving art little start in Utah. There
are among us number of men and
women who are carrying in their minds
and hearts those unsubstantial ideas
which, when transferred to canvas. are
worth much or little in exchangeable
value just in proportion to the moral
and intellectual standards of the
mind that beholds them. If the mind
be gifted and cultivated, a beautiful
picture is priceless treasure, a fact
that has been verified time out of
mind.
But if the observant mind is that
if a stupid boor. the most angelic view
is as pearls cast before swine The
fruits of art are but the pageantry of
the progress of mind.
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Art is characteristic of a settled, well
developed and prosperous civilization.
Hence its encouragement is a matter
of business as well as the. means of
gratifying a cultivated taste Our
chamber of commerce should patron
ize art by means of advertising it.
and this in order to promote the well
fare of the city. Cultivated people must
it, because it is a necessary |
factor of true culture. AS an indispen- !
sable endowment of true manhood and
it appeals most widely to
every mind and heart.
ELSIE REASONER.