Arizona republican., 1899-10-30
THE BEGINNINGS OF ART.
81 Julian Willard.


(SeVenth PapeT.)
The origin OF architecture as an art
is not to be found in the unitarian
structures required primarily for tho
/ protection of man and his works When
the primitive man made some mark
( on his hut to distinguish it from others
+ or some figure to show to whom tha
4 house belonged. then the art of archi-
/ lecture was born. This mark or figure
was not itself architectural, but il was
the first expression of that human
sentiment by which we are constrained
to give to our dwelling or any other
possession some distinctive aspect or
expression. This sentiment is entirely
Independent of any necessity. it find
expression in the hours of leisure and
recreation and is closely related TO The
spirit of play. 10 which we have already
referred in Il previous paper as the
fundamental element in the origin of
all the fine arts. The desire for adorn-
ment is also an Outgrowth of the play
instinct and has an important part III
this connection. But most important
in the development of architecture is
the inclination to celebrate or COM
memorate an event or to pay honor to
q person or deity.
Violet le Due, an eminent French
architect. now dead gives in his lee
lures an instance which is in line with
our train OF thought. "A man Of great
err intelligence and strength than his
neighbCrs killed a lion. He hangs its
skin above the doorway of the cave
which he inhabits. This commence
rGtivc spoil pelishes; he therefore cuts
n the stone. as best he can. something
IL -t---, = Ill
drcn and neighbors may preserve the
7 r.c.2 calCe OF his strength and cour-
81. But NJ Wi-hes this sign. destined
to rerpe1Uatc the memory of his valor.
to Ae seen from afar-to attract notice.
+ @ has observed that red is the most
s riding Of all colors: he therefore
GauEs lis sculptured lion with red.
Our primitive hero dies His family
hev- out Il cell in the rock wherein 70
deposit his remains. and above it they
carve a man fighting { lion" These
are merely the beginnings OF architect
ure. hut they Illustrate the funda-
mental sentiments in which the art Of
architecture has its origin.
We have mentioned only the art of
architecture. There is a science Of
commonly called building. |
L deals with material things and Is
subject to and limited by physical |
laws. IN it The intellect has full sway |
and there is no place FOR feeling or sen |
iiIncuf The science always accom- |
Ieanics the art but the art does not /
necessarily accompany The science |
Good building is necessary for our
comfort and safety but good art is IN |
no way necessary, although it is adj /
vantageous for many reasons. We I
shall have occasion to discuss this sub |
ject further in a later paper.
Following the primitive beginnings |
above noted the further development |
Of architecture was in the direction of !
monumental structures of various |
sorts: the tomb the altar. the temple. |
etc In these We find. all through the |
ages. the expression OF the highest as
pirations of the race. Here the build
ers seek to honor others than them
selves, and their art is free from mean
ness and selfshness. The distinguish
ing features Of the architecture of
everV period of history have been de-
Veioped III buildings of this class