University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1912-11-14
IN WHICH GKOUP Do YOU BELONG!
The Blue Boy Divides His Visitors-The Camera
Stage, the Historical Stage, the Stage of
''Gush, ''and Lastly Appreciation.

pANNAoNAOtAs
line which have delighted generations
after generations of the civilized ma
tions have been achieved only by
true artists.
Color too. must seem natural; but
if the artist brings in all the jarring
notes of nature. the picture is too
spotty, there is lack of unity and
it is too complicated. Not all the
combinations Of color in nature are
beautiful. In a picture they should
be. For instance, look at Gainsbor-
ough's "Blue Boy" here Did you
ever see as much blue in nature as
there is in this? And yet in the pic
ture 1t looks natural and makes the
painting as a whole beautiful and
harmonious.
I'm order to appreciate pictures 1t
is necessary to study nature, her va
ried forms. her colors. her lights and
shadows and the proportions and re-
lations Of objects. And since the art
ist omits much that is visible in ma
ture and puts in things that one does
not see In nature it Is necessary to
study art the best that has been
done by the worlds artists.
"The various branches Of painting
are entirely distinct. A portrait" "
and the professor pointed to the
Countess of Mexford, "is as different
in method and purpose from a genre
painting as an epic poem is different
from drama. The art Of landscape
differs as widely from that Of mural
decoration as the art of fiction differs
from that of lyric poetry. To form
correct judgments about pictures one
must understand something of the
difference between the purposes, the
problems and the methods of the por-
trait painter, the figure painter and
the landscapist. The portraitist pays
especial attention to just those things
which the layman should observe in
real people and in their portraits, and
strives to interpret human character
The purpose of the genre painter is
the Interpretation of life; the mural
decorator adorns the walls Of public
or private buildings; and the land
scapist translates outdoor nature.
Every painter must strive to make
his work of art beautiful in harmony
Of color, in line and in composition.
"The proper study of art" contin-
ued the professor as he led the class
from one picture to another, "is
through the works Of art We should
take advantage of every opportunity
to see original works. 1t is usually
helpful to look at a picture at close
range for the sake of its brush work,
its drawing and it's general workman
ship as we'll as at its proper distance
to get the total effect sought for by
its maker. The better the picture,
the more often one can return to it
and find some new and more satisfy
ing beauty"
The voice became fainter as the
professor of art and his students
went farther back in the room. The
afternoon sun suddenly sent a bril-
liant beam through the window be-
hind Venus and let it fall softly
across the countess. Her air of re-
signation was gone. Her lips half
parted in smile and she gave lit
lie tremulous sight Of pleasure. The
eyes Of the Blue Boy too, seemed even
brighter and happier than usual.
Only the goddess retained her cool
md classic smile. The warm sun
light touching her snow-white cheek
md shoulder seemed only to accentu- |
tie her coldness and aloofness. Even
/ snow lady would have melted under
|uch a warm and loving sun. The
Blue Boy was sorry for her. but he
vas too considerate to say he was
Had after all that he had been
tainted in real warm colors that |
would reflect the sunlight instead of
'eing made of cold heavy marble.
"I think after all that the people
# the newer generations are learn
np to annreciate real art" said the |
softly.
"You know" began the Blue Boy
With his whimsical smile, 81 heard
ONE one say the other day that there
vere different stages of art apprecia-
ion. The first is the amateur pho
ographer and collector of post cards.
Continued to page 81
- To- ua.,, Wal A Wlss.