The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-07-15
Artist IS
P'ri:z!;e!di:!n
1917 ar
Frederick Schwalm Of
University Tells
Of Tricks

''The artist of today is considered as
important q factor as any man Of the
army or navy forces. not. as some peo-
pie think. luxury" declares Professor
Frederick D. Schwalm, instructor OF
fine arts at the State University, and
an artist and illustrator of note. who
has had his training under such cele-
brated artists as Sturba. Mucha. Hen
derson and vanderpoel and the sculp-
tor. dorado Taft.
History repeats itself, as we all
know" continued Mr.. Schwalm, Leon
ardo Da vincf. the painter of Mona
Lisa and The Last Supper was a
master In five arts as we'll as a master
inventor OF engines of war: and he
was q leader Of his contemporary
artists in time Of war. Even as Da
Vinci, an artist. did his part as a war
rior. conditions have arisen calling
upon the artists Of the belligerent
countries to do their bit in the present
struggle. And SO, after the war broke
out In Europe. artists fighting in the
trenches were withdrawn. and. to-
Eethcr with some Of the older painters.
they formed the Camouflage--thc word
freely translated meaning to conceal.
1t Is each adtist's duty TO supervise.
work and plan to conceal everything
that needs concealmcnt from the en-
cmy's air scouts. such as supply
wagons. cannons. bridges. telephone
wires and battleships. This work calls
for a high degree Of cleverness as well
as bravery. In as much as this work
makes 1t necessary for the artist to be
at the forefront OF the battle. It is a
fascinating but dangerous game.
Artists First to Answer.
"Our fellow artists in France and
England we're among the first to an
swcr the call to arms. In France alone
after the first year of war, three
fourts of the artists were m the Ca
mouflaEe. Some were In the trenches.
This proves their worth on the battle
fields as well as in the salons or art
galleries"
American CamoufIaee.
Professor SchwaIm said that the
artists of tho United States, realizing
that the Camouflagc has proved itself
Indispensable to our allies, have
formed the American Camouflage
which works along similar lines, thus
giving the American artists an oppor-
tutnty to put their talents to a prac-
tai test, and giving those who have
artistic ability an draining chance
to do their share for their country.
And So" concluded Professor
I'M st,pf1. <1,n Al.
men Of this country to arms, let the
artists remember that every sector of
the fighting line must have its camou-
fleurs. officers and men. There Is worl;
for all. old and young. American art :
lists. They must join the camouflagc.'
French Erred At First.
When the French army first marched
out to war, In the uniform Of blue with
the famous red breechcs. little was
thought of the part that concealmeni
was TO take in the conflict. It was not
until the contcnding armies were dead.
locked and had dug themselves into the
long lines Of trenches that stretched
from Switzerland to the coast thai
the Importance of being inconspicuOus
began to make itself felt.
Cavalry scouting was impossible. and
would have been more or less useless
Night reconnaissance yielded poor re.
suits. The airplane became the bes
provider Of information that the wori6
for either side to mass men. guns ol
supplies behind the lines unnoticed b.
the air scouts of the enemy. II wa.
imperative, then, 10 fool these men.
Artists Trieked Enemy.
Here and there along the fishtini
lines in scattered sectors the artists
fighting in the infantry and artiller.
regiments made attempts to conceal b!
means OF various illusionary methods
their great guns. supply wagons-iI
fact. everything that needed conceal
ment. These met with such success
that soon large numbcs Of the artist
were withdrawn from the trenches
and. together with some Of the olde
painters. formed the camouflage.
One who Ia Of tho camonflage j
called q camonfleur.
Old Magic Seems Silly.
The best of the magicians tina
graccd tho stage before the war hav
no mysteries for him. The rabbit take
struggling from the coat sleeve. tn
cards that vanish In the air. tn
smashed hat that becomes whole agai
at a word: all these arc as nothin
compared to the wonders which he ha
performed
Whole trains. backed on siding
loaded with supplies. have been paint
cd out Of the landscape. Building
bridges. all the numerous and neces
sary impedimenta which go to mail
up the needs OF vast armies have bee
.lost" to the enemy air1nan by II
scientific use Of broken color.
Photographs have from time to tin
6ilteged through the censor to tn
country. showing the covering OF viii
sr> A1.- Nkttf n