Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-06-17
HOW TO BUY PICTURES.
Intellectual Conception Is Often Mis-
p!aced-Many Buy fer Sake
of Show

Those who buy pictures because il is
the correct thing to 10 or who fancy
chem only IN The decorative sense. usual
Nv speak Of pictures in terms Of classid-
cation, denorng place, and the object of
the picture as furnishings. The rooms
of their houses are their customary
guides in selecting, and "A certain fitness
rs expected 10 bC present in the pictures
they intend to purchase Tor their rooms
or halls. The walls OF a drawing room
or parlor. Tor instance. In their eyes, re-
uulre the adjournment of SNOWY pictures
sumptuously framed, and 50 in framed
gfadatlons must they he for the living
room. the library. dining room. smoking
room and halls All OF these are 10 be
distinguished by pictures having sub
Jects IN accord, and strongly suggestive
OF lcuuglug, reading, eating ana drink
ing. as we'll as smoking.
10 such buyers of pictures there is
never the faintest conception that pic
lures are TO others, friends aud compan-
ions intellectually as well as aesthetical-
y. That pictures are bought to be lived
with daily, to enter into the lives of
their owners on the highest terms, tU|
receive a place in their affections, to be
Inspiration for all that is noble in art.
precious and beautiful in life, they have
never dreamed of. The pictures on the
walls of any dwelling house are not only
the written records of the character and
inclinations of their owners, but of their
intellectual and moral natures as well!
" hat they like, what they desire, what
appeals to their taste, they have select
ed. Each individual makes his or her
ayowal of natural procliyities when they
purchase a picture. There is also a
record made in buying pictures, of
growth. advancement and evolution of
4
.at point where the Old pictures pail
.and grow hideOus 10 their sight. When
they get rid of the eyesoreS, and replace
.them with pictures that represent n Etgh-
or state Of art, finer and nobler thought,
aAen are they ON the road to u true un-
derstanding of the mission of pictures.
No one can fail to observe the trend Of
picture buying ut the present day among
rich Americans whose vast fortunes per-
nit SO many that enviahle indulgence,
Nor is it possible 20 he unaware of the
burning enthusiasm that exists for the
fine old English school of the Eighteenth
century. starting with Hogarth, Sir Josh
ia Reynolds, Gainsboroueh, TO Romuey.
Beechy, kaeburn, Opie and Lawrence.
Untiring is the search for old portraits of
this class to supply the demand over
here. No private collection is thought
up TO the mark, lacking the great land
and water-scapists of the same period,
Grove, Cotman, Constable Bennington.
For old cugravings and prints, as well
as modern reproductions there is a craze
for the same English school of portraits.
Famous Eighteenth century beauties are
I'M evidence wherever we visit in town or
country houses, gracIug the walls with
an undeniablc charm all their own. In
boudofr or petit salon. the fad has sprung
up tor French court scenes They have
grown to be quite the rage. aud charm
ing are the Van LOuS. H0uchc-s. WAT
teauX and Matters. disposed upon silk
aud satin wall panels Of the Louis pc
RODS. Scenes from Moliere's plays be
l0nL to another print series which arc
also having great vogue for decorating
both salons and bal chambers. Several
Of the modern artists besides Rossi and
Spirid0n have contributed 10 some of
this series their exquisite water color in
terpretations Les Femmes Sayautr.'
II lndiseret." and "Malade Inagiuaire'
are among RosSi's best
For billiard rooms and sporting deus.
the decorative chou is q representation
Of the noted French automobile racers.
\ single racer tearing along upon long
stretch Of roadway is the subject of each
picture. They are ali signed by cclc-
bratel French poster artists. and are
creating, as might he expected, quite a
Juror Old cClore :t@ Gl English
stage Coaches, inn yards aud Of country
taYerns in the Georgian days. Is well Is
early Victorian county hunts. are in all
their varieties still the tavorite pictures
for decorating the walls of simple couu-
try Gotta yes CHEEKY are they in their
bright colnrs. and very eullycuing 10 thp
spirit ia their sporty vivacity ut scene.
As for the old school Of tavern jolity, IL
serves as ii precursor 10 the hospitality
IN store for the gUesjs.-\ew \ oTk sun.