The times., 1899-10-01

thep. Today. on opening newly y-received
magazine, one may find for a frontispiece
the latest impressionistic extravaganza II
may be some weird thing which is void of
meaning or purpose TO all save the narrow
circle OF satellites who revolve in wor-
shipful silence about the genius who pro-
duced 1t. However weird, uncanny, mean
ingless. and discordant it may be, it pro-
duces little or no sensation.
The reader feels no surprise. He is ae-
customed to that sort of thing and passes
on sure TO find enough art in the number
that is within his comprehension to salts
fly his artistic taste. AS for this incom-
prehensible thing; well, he dismisses the
matter with the thought that later on he
viii probably grow up TO 1t, therefore it
is not worth worrying over now. Expert
ence has made him wise and his course is
the right one.
The Evolution of Illustration.
1t is interesting to note the evolution of
the illustrated monthly magazine as ii has
been perfected in this country. In this
field of illustrated magazines for the gen
eral reader, America is without a rival Of
the six illustrated magazines which are
conspicuous in current American literature
"Harper's, the Century" "Scribner's," :"
"McClure's," the "Cosmopolitan and
"Munsey's,'' the first three alone are mag
azines whose art features may be consid-
cred seriously, Life might safely be
added to this list since its art is not less
notable than that of the three leading il
lustrated magazines.
"Harper's" was the pioneer in this field,
and began its career fifty years ago. There
appears nothing more amusing in Life"
TODAY than cF ha RI
in "Harper's." These crude wood cuts
which crept into 'Harper's'' in the early
days were few and far between After
passing many pages of reading matter,
there would appear one Of these illustra-
tions, which had the look of a stowaYay
about It, II pleaded guilty on sight. IL
was not at home. However, in time this
were away. until finally, in the COS, the
illustrations oyershadowed the text and
gave color and character TO the magazine.
AIT this time Port Crayon," Colonel Stro-
ther, an extraordinarily clever artist with
pencil, made his appearance in an account
OF his travels in Virginia. These outline
character sketches were, up to that time,
the most popular Offering the Harpers had
made 10 their growing circle Of readers.
They were vivid realistic sketches, drawn
without regard for values" yet conspicu-
ously artistic. and they were a rebuke TO
the stiff wooden dolls which for the most
part characterized the rest of the Harper
illustrations of that period. Progress was
steady. but the Harpers were conservative.
With the advent of "Scribner's Magazine"
in the '70's came the beginning of a splen-
did new epoch, which the writer firmly
believes-rash as it may seem 10 declare
it-has reached its climax in this closing
year OF the nineteenth century.
II would take volumes 10 follow the de-
velopment and note the many influences
which have brought about this extraordina-
rily high grade of art In these three maga-
zines In the art centres Of the civilized
world they are awaited from month to
month with the keenest interest by both ar
tist and connoisseur. There was time,
not further back than ten years ago. when
world famous artists on being invited TO
furnish a picture for story would knock
off something for the magazine" That
no longer is tolerated Only the best any
man can do will pass the critical eyes of
the art managers on the great magazines.
Nor is the artist likely 10 offer anything
but his very best.
The fates, too have been kind to the ar
lists inasmuch as the marvellous develop
ment in reproduction processes has left
absolutely nothing TO be desired In that