New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-08
"ARTISTIC Temperament"
Pasquale Amato's Views on q
Much Used Expression.

What is artistic temperament, and
what is the matter with IT.
Pasduale Amato smiled when the ques-
ton was put TO him. He motioned his
caller TO a comfortable chair and seated
himself I'm another OF the same pattern
that adorned his pleasant library. He
had gained weight and looked wen.
There has been much said about tenn
permanent" remarked the BARITONE or the
Metropolitan. Then he added somewhat
ruefully. Most of the saying has been
done by persons who evidently have
none of il to boast of. There is no trait
50 much misunderstood. 1t puzzles me
10 know why so many people like to re-
gard artists of various kinds as peculiar
people who must be treated with cajol-
ing fattery. If you try such experiments
with others. of course you make them
different from yourself.
Artistic temperament is generally men,
toned in explanation OF some strange ex-
travagance, within or eccentrcity. Too
frequently some scandal occasions its re-
mark. When an artist does queer
thing. the first word that flashes into
the mind of every one is Temperament
There is not sane man or woman in
any walk of life who has not the Identical
quality that has become so distinguished
in the artist, and which may stand for
thousand different manifestations.
Strictly speaking, there should be two
, kinds of temperament-artistic and in
artistic. Everything unconventional that
IL done by one OF artistic persuasion
should be held as evidence OF artistic
temperament and everything atrocious or
unconventional that is done by the So
called untalented should be diagnosed as
the product of inartistic temperament.
Everything that is good, honest and in
keeping with faithful adherence 10
higher laws should not be subject to the
term artistic In any way.
Now 1t happens that there are few
artists who will not themselves admit
that their co-workers do strange things
at times: things which the average lay
man would not ordinarily do. Most
artists will promptly agree that there are
certain foibles peculiar to their profess
sion. Their manner OF dressing. talking.
eating and neglecting responsibilities is
alleged 10 be charmingly characteristic.
Well, you say, their occupation has more
individuality in it than any other-which
is quite true. But why the peculiarities?
That is a longer story.
The artists life is n study OF self
expression. lie is in constant communion
with the highest and the deepest within
him. Consequently he becomes a creature
OF profound sensibilities. and is marvel
lousy unreasonable 10 all external in
fluences because of a strengthened con-
seriousness OF self. The effect is 10 make
the artist truer TO instinct and impulse.
ArtinClality 10 his eye IS little short CT
crime. and where II courts his patronage
his soul rebels. Notwithstanding social
conventions. To see things out OF focus
IS to picture them wrongly TO others;
for which the punishment is artistic fall
ure Therefore. II becomes second nature
WIKI the artist TO follow the dictates Of
instructive preference He Is usually
headstrong and proud. which helps more
than hinders in the courageous pursuit
OF responsible labor.
1t b. when the artist becomes self
centred 10 an extreme. dches his person
atty and eXaggerates his prerogauves.
that he opens himself to just puDlic
criticism and puts a blemish upon that
quality without which. truly speaking.
there could be no art
Let US for change. use some other
means than artistic temperament for
these wild and fragrant originalities that
are just as much part or common
error In society az OF artistic perverse-
ness. without this maligned attribute.
the most potent factor in civilization. the
very soul OF culture we would to-day be
little remote from the snthropoid ape.