New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-15
1 NEGLECTED FINE ART.
wOODCARvING IS A HANDIcRAFT SUIT
ABLE FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS.

THE PERPETurTY AND PERFECTION OF cIvILIzA-
TON REST UPON TIE HIGH SELF
CULTURE OF TIE CITIZEN"
One OF the subjects OF great interest to the public
now is that Of occupations for women. and the
question. What shall girls learn to do that
will make them self-supportng and comfortably
independent" Is asked on all sides Among the
callings suggested that have been tried or fol-
lowed by women. little attention 20 far has been
paid to the industry OF woodcarving which must
be classed under the head Of art
In considering this general topic and the advan-
ase onered by the various classes OF artistic effort
commonly pursued by students. surprise has
often been expressed that there has not been es-
taoiished In this country years ago any properly
equipped school or master teaching woodcarving
or wood sculpture as a fine art
IN Europe, said one OF the workers in this art
yesterday this delicate handiwork has for CEN
lures Deeh one OF the favored forms Of artistic
pastime among the women Of the nobility and
to-day 1t counts as its devotees many Of the most
exclusive and most highly cultured women on that
continent Lessons are generally taken there
in this fascinating art By the young women Of the
upper classes as music and painting by the
daughters OF families Of Ike social rank In this
country.
III IL indeed strange that this craft adaptable
IN its application to so wide n range OF Use q nj
"o"'' anu mas never heretofore been properly
presented to the cultured classes here The work "a
rar more cleany than painting either I'm water
colors or in oil. and the implements reoure sss
attention and care The simple and most exact
principles upon which true art is based are from
'nelr very nature susceptible Of more ready COM
prehension and mastery than those underlying
many other branches commonly taken up
SKILL EASILY ACQUIRED.
me skhful handling Of the few tools required Is
quickly attained. and In few lessons the average
scholar Is able 10 execute exquisite work AZ once
a surprise and a delight.
I'm addition to the rare pleasure resuI,,no from
known ability to create beautiful things there are
greater benefits accruing TO the sculptor not to
mention others There is the fact that he has
learned the better to appreciate and value proper
ton. form and delicacy OF outline and this knowl-
eose aside from the personal satisfaction II brings
enables him to Judge with true accuracy the ar
tstic merits OF all things natural or manufactured
having form as their basis. This essential sense
can be secured In no other way so readily In.
deed the artistic faculty the aesthetic taste itself
can be perfected only by q fair knowledge OF the
ron ms tact Is being recognized in this country
now W. as II has long been recognized and observed
the Far East. Wise masters of the chisel now
bring their dainty craft to the art lovers OF our
cation, ana the void that has been felt In the art
education or this young country will not long
continue COM Art In every form is but the express
~ marks the spirit Of true refinement than the de-
gree In which an intelligent love Of the beautiful
Is manifest Hence It is that cultured persons are
not only constant patrons OF art. but seek them
selves TO become proficient In some one or more of
Its branches.
Music. sculpture painting. ceramics and various
other FAMILIAR forms OF like endeavor have fur
nlshed expression TO mems increa sed and increas-
ing culture. and given broad opportunity for the
development Of individual facul les and tastes
Great as have been the benefits TO mankind from
The achievements Of masters In the several lines
mentioned II may De well asserted that the chefes
good mas come from the attention given thereto
by cultivated men and women who sought only
further sef-improvement, and not the making
OF fortune name.
This chaste love for the refined has become
markedly dominant In recent times with the bet
ter classes, as Is evidenced by a large number Of
such persons who, in every department OF aesthetics
seek such scholarships under the great masters
who have unselhshly relinquished the broadening
advantages OF public service for the restriction OF
studio or instructon-room. Under the guidance
and In the companionship OF such tutors our ia
yored youth have grown In technical knowledge
and proficiency along selected lines until II is
by no means rare TO find among women and
men those who work with brush. pencil pen,
whose ability as vocal or Instrumental musicians
vies with the best professionals in the respective
directions. And yet. in every such case the only
end sought was. before stated. the high culture
OF self and the increased means thus secured OF
contributing 10 the pleasure Of others. The per-
petuity and Il perfectng OF our civilization rest
and safely so. upon such citizenship"