The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-29
WILHELM H., MECENAS.
the kaisers Utterances on Fine Arts and
the Drama.
From n. ~. Jomes's Gazette.

From the 81 Jdmtss GdsfHr
Nothing can be more certain than that
the Kaiser's expressions Of interest in art
and the drama In particular are absolutely
genuine and not mere plattudes expected of
him because he happens to be monarch.
He has closely identified himself with and
loved art from his earliest days: indeed, he
inherited Il from his mother. a Princess who.
herself possessing unusual talent. took the
utmost pains to cultivate II In her children
II is not generally known, In this country AT
any rate. that the Kaiser has painted several
pictures besides the one which attracted 20
much attention two or three years ago. An
oil painting bearing the signature Of william.
Prince OF Prussia" was exhibited as far back
as 1855 at the Berlin Art Exhibition II was
seascape. a msn-of-war. lying near TO the
shore and enRag ed in target practice being
depicted and though possibly this effort was
somewhat overprai.ed at the time II Is GER
tain that II showed very good artistic con-
ception Then. also. architecture. particu-
larry naval architecture. is a subject which
the Emperor shows much interest in. Designs
submitted to him for his consideration are
subjected TO close scrutiny and 10 great
many cases he makes marginal notes suR-
costing alterations. suggestions which. we
are told. the drauHhtsmen themselves more
often than not really approve Of
II il. OF course. well known that his Imperial
which art may do among the masses OF the
people. and. indeed. the persistent encourage
ment OF the arts Is an important feature OF
his social programme, Consequently. the
artists themselves are the recipients OF much
notice from him. He frequently visits the
studios. where he il always atYable. interested
critical, and encoura ging, and he also takes
pains to promote the financial well-being
OF the profession he thus patronizes. He
him self snapd. rk m largo nf
money on pictures, statues. and other objets
dart, and throws out hints to his wealthy
subjects to induce them to go and do like
wise
II may he Of interest to mention that the
Kaiser's idea in ornamenting the "Sieges
Alice" in the "Tiergarten" OF Berlin and
lining II with monuments erected FOR the
purpose of perSonifyine the historical actions
and patriotic heroism OF his prominent prede-
cessors was not so much TO perpetuate the
memory of hi, own ancestors or to add to
the attractiveness of Berlin. but to give
large number of artists remunerative en-
ployment extending over a long period
For II took many years to complete this great
scheme. the details OF which were drawn up
by the Kaiser himself with the assistance OF
Prof Koser. the eminent historiographer
When that important historical work was
finally completed to the satisfaction OF its
originator. his Majesty, speaking at a BANQUET
Dec IS, 1901 given to the sculptors and
others, delivered the most remarkable ana
lengthy speech he ever made on art.
After urging the artists to continue to
devote their lives and talents to the highest
ideals OF art. which ideals he pointed out.
he said An art which oversteps the la VS.
and limits have thus indicated Is no longer
an art: it is a mere fabric. a handwork. and
this art should never become" Turning to
another aspect OF the case for art, he said
that il must influence the people in an ecu
cative way; must give to the 80 otIen yon u,
eievatine them selye intellectually" and then.
referring to the great ideals which are charac-
.IG Of shs ne is
desire TO provide the working classes with
Of obtaining eHSym sna h by
in this way they may raise themselyss above
their ordinary ideas and pursuits. :, The cult
q ideals Ss to i n s whole 81 al ,ssn
must penetrate into the lowest classes Of the
population But II art, as. accord.
TO its nossns ss n1 San
misery. In still darker colors than In reality
exist, then it sins against the German people.
detestation Of a certain tendency in modern
art. but also the opinion Of large NUMBER a ,, 7
IN was the fine dscsT
ton that the true artist does not seek the
praise OF the marketplace, nor does ne solicn
in eulosi.tic terms to the modesty Of ths
classical and medieval artists he concludes
The artist WHO desccnds to seli-adveIt ise;
ment is unworthy of the name, no matter 4
he be praised a hundred or thousand times
Keenly. interested as the Kaise. Is IN art
BEING n a ons Of the mos, Constant theatre
eoers in Europe. As his speeches show. he
places the drama even before art as means I
Through its portals that be i, sndeayorina
| TO lead his subjects to their goal He throw.
himself into the subject with chafatteIist is
the case Of the well-known painter, Roohlins
who produced several successia P.StSS.s'
the the dr rams i Whdenbruch and Joseph
Laun have written several plays, the plots Of
Which were s%fsssisd BY h s4 All Sa% into
contact with him speak enthusiastically o!
his knowledge his. critical dextsrity and
s T. to aSo,s ton Bss the y
| director Of the "Deutsches Sohauspielhaus'
IN Hamburg. who has the priyi nd o. enjoy TS
Emperor" says he in recent article, con,
siders art TO be the most suitable means o.
ne 70 Sn
n mann Of ant Artistic fseiins does not wish The
fan in plays in which such character. appeal
il is simply because he has: not fully compre.
hsRd,a The Ksi,sss splendid idea sod.. W 1eT
Berger in his remarkable eulosy Of the En-
peror's originality Of conception.
The best illustration OF the Kaiser's views
which he addressed to the members OF the
companies attached to the Berlin royal
theatres when he received them on the occa.
TO the throne Il consider" he said. that
the ROYAL Theatre should. like the school and
in the work OF educating the rising genera:
ton and promoting the highest intellectual
welfare Of our dear Fatherland, 1t should
the formal ion OF character. and TO the en-
nobling OF the moral perceptions The
az il may be such a tremendous power in the
hands Of monarch. II Is my duty to support
il