Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-11-24
WARS INFLUENCE
ON ART WORLD
Almost Continuous Debate
Touches on Value of Sor-
row as Inspiration
BY JOHN w. PHILLIPS

An almost continuous debate is
being conducted in various ways, as
to whether the war will inspire great
paintings, great literature and great
music. We are certain to have paint
ings and music. born because of the
war: but, whether the art and mu-
sic will be great and lasting, remains
to be seen. There have been tons
of literature already about the war.
but who will say we have yet had any
that will endure. l am always sus-
| piCious of the writer, painter or
composer who depends for real in
Spiration on the sorrows or calami-
ties of the world. Last week it was
pointed out that we must seek the
beautiful and develop self-expres-
sion. and this will point the way to
source of constant inspiration.
The great art gallery at Harris
burg cntained an exhibition last
Monday evening that charmed and
| thrilled and inspired. The exhibit
was not advertised in advance, ana
| it only last a few minutes. There was
no charge for admission. The ex-
hibit was held outdoors and the pic
ture was limitless. The colors OBJ
served included, Naples yellow,
ceralean blue, orange vermillion,
burnt orange, purple, primrose,
Payne's gray, Mars yellow, indigo,
pale green, lemon yellow and Cobalt
| overhead. All these were in the sky,
| blending softly into each other, both
transparent and opaque colors used
| skillfully by the master of all paint
| ing.
A Lesson in Colors
Here was a lesson in color, cloud
forms and composition. Here was,
1 II f4- hNNV, fn co n h
sorb. The dark, sharp outline of
PCnnsylvania's hills, the low lying
river, with it's cold local color,
warmed by the colors of the reflect
/ ed clouds and the almost leafless
trees all brought sharply to our mind
that here was legitimate and never
ending inspiration. The great art
galleries of the world contain IA
nous pictures. but they never
change, except, perhaps, to slowly
| fade, but here at our own beautiful
river front we have had. and do. have
continually pictures constantly
changing. that cannot be encircled
| by a frame, or even correctly iml-
tated by the hand of man. Let us go
a bit further. When we see the even
ing star-marking the close of day
and the beginning of night-let us
| imagine when the beautiful evening
lamp shines forth, that the vesper
hymn is beginning up there-that
music sweet and clear is chanting
above us, and inspiration is given
to all who will hear. Handel hearc
1t, Bach heard 1t, Beethoven heard
it. Charles Wesley heard 1t. Many
| others have heard 1t. So, We have
| never-ending inspiration in the Bible
for literature-in sky and nature for
painting and both in heaven and
earth for music.
Love of beauty is a secret and in
violate thing. Our tendency to- y
| is to seek our salvation-of any kind
whatever-in the crowd. We form
| literary and musical clubs to do
what each person should do for him
self.
Least Resistance
Thus we follow the line of least
resistance. Our daily pursuits in
commercial life are a necessity, and
energy is devoted to enlarging our
! capacity and income. The Develop
Iment of self-expression and love of
beauty Is not deemed necessity be-
cause 1t brings no monetary reward.
Harrisburg as a city, and its WON
derful location will never be fully
realized and appreciated until the
community has a desire for better
thing; until taste is developed ana
a sincere and lasting civic pride is
established. With the opportunities
to hear good music, brought to us
from outside sources. and our own
local organizations working faith