The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-03
FARMER IN ART

40 al tiSlit sidNeIy III America ElKnI
Should Americans keep half Of their
population in peasant class, pitied
and looked down upon. just for arts
sake, or shall they picture the SO. 000,-
600 or more farmers as they are pro-
gressive, thrifty, everyday men and
women Asks "A Farmer" in Chris
tian Science Monitor.
Many of us wonder why we, the
farmers, are always pictured with
bending backs: why our wives are
shown in old clothes carrying water,
pitching hay. and wearying themselves
out at almost any sort OF drudgery.
We wonder IL it is fair to us, or to
, our farmer boys and girls. 1t is for
these children of ours. that we want
the inspiration of farm life at It's best,
in place OF the familiar depressing
masterpiece or frivolous caricature.
There Is a growing movement to
Introduce some other than the man
with the hoe" art into the rural
| schools--an art which would give the
pupils love and respect for agricul-
ture- 1t deserves the announcement
of the best artists. A prominent
| painter was asked to suggest some
| thing which held out the attractive
and progressive side of farm life. This
Is his surprising answer. AT first go
on. bag OF gold or package of gov
eminent bonds occurs to me as a fit
ting symbol for agriculture these
days 1t is a pretty hard nut to
crack, for the moment you leave the
hoe and pillow as symbols you have let
go of sentiment and the past and deaf
with the commonplace of the ma
chine-made present with it's greater
ease and avoidance Of lordship. 2
doubt its wisdom"
However, a fuller appreciation Of
country life and art is being awakened
among serious-thinking folk in many
parts Of the country. The North Car
oline board Of agriculture in a recent
resolution. says: I'VE recognize the
fact that there Is urgent need for
development among our rural popula-
ton. especially among our boys and
girls, of an apprecia ton OF the beau
ties and possibilities Of country life.
and the encouragement of love OF
nature. and all forms of beauty mani
tested in rural life. To this end. 1t Is
generally recognized that an under
standing and appreciation of the most
famous masterpieces of art dealing
with rural art and scenes have a po-
tent effect upon the plastic mind of
childhood--a fact which makes us
deplore the general absence of such
pictures in our country schools today"
LIS lOI OOdIu O&IGIS 10
aid schools that want such works OF
art. and set aside an appropriation OF
$4,000 for the work. Where will the
school boards turn to secure the pic
ture. or the bit of sculpture that rep
reseuts, with dignity and sympathy,
the progressive agriculture of today?
Millet famous painter OF peasants OF
centuries ago, will hardly offer inspi-
ration to the hardy, ambitious boy and
girl Of today. He paints too unpleas-
ant a picture OF farm life-and one
no longer true. The traditions Of the
past. revered by present day artists
as regards agriculture, will have to
undergo many changes. Art will have
to come nearer the truth to be an
inspiration to the future.
The man with whiskers, the man
with straw In his teeth, popular in
movies burlesque, drama, advertising
and art will have to berelegated to
the museums as relics of the past. The
artist finds much in the busy marts OF
trade, the ponderous manufacturing
concerns, and in every urban business
which is artistic and does not offend
the workers. Then, why select az art
that which is untrue of the farmers
activities? Why progress in urban
art and retrogress in rural art?
An interesting development of the
past few months shows the magazine
artists beginning to see rural life as
it is Full page advertisements show
occasionally an appreciation for agri-
culture at its best and throw about it
all the glamour and romance OF sue
cess. action. life and happiness. You
cannot visit the country now without
seeing the beauty that belongs to tho
open country alone. In addition you
see the grain moved down by a giant
sickle bar. drawn by weli-fed team
or q steel horse. Is 1t not ~ artisttC |