Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-11-26
MRS. ALICE BARBER STEPHENS
On How War Has Affected Art

TINE war has raralyzcd art and artists,
i in the opinion of Mrs. Alice Barber
Stephens, distinguished artist. who believes
that some time will elapse before they are
restored to their former basis of achieve
ment.
"In two ways particularly til" war has
been harmful said Mrs. stephens in her
studio in beautiful Rose Valley yesterday:
First, it destroyed the market for most of
their products. and then it worked meal
culable havoc with their creative work.
Artists, being necessarily creative, rebel
at war and destruction. Consequently
during that period there is little that they
can do. From the nature of things they can
scarcely express themselves spontaneously
when their souls are being torn with anguish
at the destruction that Is being wrought;
They must wait for the quiet and peace and
tranquility that make creative work pos
siblc and when all that is worth Will" in
life, from an artist $ viewpoint, has resumed
its normal trend.
$50, consequently, comparatively little
work has been done by artists in recent
years. 1t Is not so bad for the artist who
is made and who's" creations will bring big
prices whenever they are put on the market.
But for the budding artist who, to do the big
things, must necessarily have years of eX-
p"riCnCc, II is q serious matter. Thee is
the danger of either not progressing with
their work at all or of being diverted afcld
by the work that pays we'll but means little
in an artistic way.
Lean to Old Patronage System
THE situation has become so acute that
many artists believe the only solution lies in
n return to the old system of patronage.
Here, however, the American instincts of
many seem to rise up and declare their indie
pendence, as if TO say they won't sell their
souls But while the war has destroyed
n.uch it has created lot of new wealth,
and it is possible that many of the cOnnOiS-
or a n fnt
will arise from that class.
advertising has come into the field and
engaged the attention of many artists. 1t
offers alluring returns and really makes it
possible for some OF our younger workers to
make a living during their formative period.
But the danger is that it is likely to keep
many from reaching the heights, as they
would through serious, long and earnest
effort. 1t is so likely to place premium on
quick wittedncsS and mere ClcvcrnrsS with
the brush and the pigment There is, how
ever, no objection to clean cut, direct cx-
preston in advertising art, and many artists
i'll this field succeed in doing this quite we'll
During the war. despite the fact that the
soul as well as the body of the artist was
starved, they did do a great deal of work,
Though their hearts rebelled at the havoc and
destruction being wrought, they went to work
and put what constructive effort they could
into the war. All of uS took part in tho
campaign OF poster making that played its
part in the fight.
Political Future Of Country Is Factor
Another serious factor in the work of
artists is involved in the political future Of
the country. During the war the Illustrative
demand was for type of product foreign To
the instincts and abilities of many Of onr
artists. The magazines and other periodic,Is
could not use the average subject matter of
the past. The times We're out Of joint Also
the materials that went into the Producing nG
their issues were scarce and EXPENSIVE nnI
that had its effect. Now comes the nrw,
situation with its uncertainties and unSet.
tied policies to still further affect the market
for artists work and limit their crcntiye
output,
lone thing that has grown out of the war
or At least has become fully evident since il
is the fact that dress and millinery nre tvn
of the predominant things in the life of
today us the artist sees it. And yUu ron
blame the movies for it, As Il rule noonIa
are most likely to find the greatest Interest
in life in themselves and the things that
concern themselves. Consequently wbon
they go to the movies they see things thew
long for themselves.
Admirable as the movies are in some re-
spects, with their artistic landscapes and
other scenery, they are guilty of bad art in
the way they depict life by the dressing of
their characters, particularly their women
The movie .goer then sees, probably more
than anything else, gowns and hats. The
women characters are not wearing apDarel
that fits in with their parts, but brand new
clothes. They appear on the screen in these
lovely, impeccable gowns fresh from the en-.