New-York tribune., 1918-10-20
By DR.. Nicholas J. Elsenheimer


each of these is characterized by diff
ferent forms of expression, but the
artist in all cases remains true to the
very nature Of his existence; he re-
veals the ideal. If he clings to it his
work has true ring of sincerity; the
pleasures Of creative activity are
mingled with hopes Of success, he en-
Joys the benefit Of his faith in the
reality Of imagination, he knows,
he feels, he hears the power Of the
spiritual that forms the stronghold of
his conviction; he conquers by an un-
shaken belief in this power. In the
sign of this creed he will win a vie
tory. The history Of every art is re-
splendent with shining examples Of
this wonderful feature, so essential to
a creative mans success; one could
I'll volumes to verify the undcniable
truth of this assertion, but this is
neither the aim nor the intention Of
our essay; we shall endeavor to limit
our efforts upon one single phase of
the greatest prominence in the inter-
to the standing of an artist. That is
the element Of inspiration, the most
precious gift from heaven.
What a strange, unrivallcd power
that is. "Inspiration" 1t seems that
its source is the universe of truth, it
springs Of youth, beauty and ecstasy.
1t revels in its own glory, it is un-
ending, it possesses influence over the
souls of men Of all ages and periods,
it is torreno Of fire that kindles, of
water that fertilizes, Of air that in
vigorates and vivites. 1t is its own
master, it attains success wherever it
IS present; it is the essential element
IN the creation of any art work, that
IS recorded in the annals of the arts
history 1t is a ruler that knows 10
obstacles, it brooks no interference, it
appears and disappears at WILL it
sclzcs, it 1bSorba: it monopolize3
mans whole being. 1t mocks at time
limits, it laughs at commands, it
showers it favortc with wondrous
gifts in few moments-it absents it
self for days, months or years. 1t
Of pleas stays its flight; it shuns du-
ties, It's wings are swift as thoughts,
1T is no mans servant, the friend Of Il
chosen few, the enemy of castcs II is
and remains mystery. One may cite
the words OF a great poet who sings.
A spring the storm-winds TO the skies,
And none can guess from whence they risn
AS streams from fount5 unseen,
Art Eushcs from Within reTcaiig
The while it wakes. the realm Of rccline
flushed in the souls of men.
SO far We have dwclt on the essence.
The qualities and the power of inspjra-
t'on. few striking examples Of its
existence may be cited to illustrate
some undeniable features of its pres
cnce in works Of art and literature.
When we read the books of Moses We
are confronted by the unaffected sim
pllclty OF the great prophet; the genius
OF the man proclams in clear sentences
thc sincerity of his convictions. The
epos of Homer reveals the authors ad-
mlrat'on OF nature, of heroic deeds ana
sentiments Of love and fidelity. The
'irecian sculptor Phidias gave his
Olymplan Zeus to the world as an art
work OF lasting power. The MASTER
pieces OF Dante, the poet With an i'm
agination unrivalled by any mortal; the
Dies lra," the chef dcevrc of Latin
poetry, IN its unapproached glory, as
=, ~" W hHoudS Ol telano, q friend.
fellow frar and biographer Of ST.
Francis; the magnificent book, "Imita
ton of Christ" surviving volumes Of
ph'losophy; the works of Shakespeare.
the greatest drama writer OF all times:
Of Goethe, the poet PHILOSOPHER and
master mind of modern literature
The creations Of these eminent writer;
not act as interpreters Of human sent;-
inents? Have they not unearthed the
depths Of our lives with penetrating
eyes? Are their books the result of
abstract rules and theories, or are thew
due to the element Of inspiration? Tho
magical power Of their strength rests
solely upon the natural flow Of tbeiy
imagination, which prompted them to
reveal the mysteries of soul life. Of
passions, moods, intensity of humanity
OF agony. love, hope and faith Ana
what shall be said OF such artists as
haphael. Michael Angelo, Leonardo da
E'nci and Murillo, whose pictures con-.
'inue to arrest the attention OF the
civilized world, whose names, are sh;n-
l"g in undiMnishcd splendor on the
armament of the greatest painters?
Last but by no means least, let us east
oul, eyes on those who have enriched
and ennobled the realm of art bv thai,.
tonal PICTURES. Through these the sonl