Evening star., 1923-10-04
The North Window
EY LEILA MKCHzIN

There is q wide difference OF opin
ion among artists and art lovers a.
to whether popularity takes from OF
ADDS to the value OF a work Of art
On the instant this. would seem ab-
surd: popularity is one of thuse fiIu-
sive things greatly sought today in
all walks OF life. but there are thoss
WHO maintain, and not without rea-
son. that when q work Of art becomes
common property IT ceases to be esteem
ed. Take. for example. Raphael's mag
Efficient Madonna of the Chair" wher
an American tourist OF much the bet
ter class was brought face to face for
the fist time with this world-famous
masterpiece she turned aside with an
air of nonchalance. and said. I've
seen that all my days on Christmas
cards" -.
On the other hand those who are
connected with museums have com.
monty found that the average visitor
looks up and observes with the most
interest the pictures about which he
or she has heard or of which seen
reproductions,I And there you are
astride ethe.dilemna-too much famil-
1arity leading TO disregard and bore
dom, dom; too little. nnderemphasizins g
.,....<r *s**
Some painters are very hesitant
about granting permission for the re-
production of their works. and to pre-
vent indiscriminate reproduction
always avail themselves of the priv
fiege of copyright Obviously the art
list should have, so long as. he lives
the control of this matter. In Great
Britain the law gives 1t to him auto
maticalIy; in this country he must ap-
ply and pay small fee for 1t. This.
under any circumstances, is a wise
provision of law. and a reasonable
protection for the artist, for not only
does he have to guard against, in rare
instances excessive popularity, but he
also must take within his reckoning
those pirates of commerce who will
use another. mans product without
pay or without the asking.
One of John. w. Aiexander's finest
paintings. owned by one of the lead
ing museums. was reproduced some
years ago by commercial firm as an
advertisement for. a brand of mat
tress, which they manufactured; the
well known figure of the lady with
a tray OF chocolate, which has become
siS ~ ol d great CoCOA IudHu-
facturer, Is 2 reproduction of a figure
In a painting in the British national
collection; an insurance company has
been known to reproduce in connec-
ton with its street car advertising e
Robins Thinker" Obviously this is
all wrong. and the absurd excuse that
the artists are getting free publicity
is acceptable to none.
y Il X X
But there is a question. and a seri.
Gus one. in regard to overpopulariz-
ing great works of art through the
medium Of inferior reproductions
Those who love art wish to share it
with all, but they do not wish to
cheaper 1t. What one, values one
handles carefully and does not expose
to neglect nor dishonor.
? How is it with music? When the
best things become familiar do they
become boresome Or more dear-more
significant? The latter would seem &c
be the case. but a well known writer
ventured the opinion lately that to
fnd "Cavalleria Rusticana,' Rubin
STEMS Melody" or even one or two
OF Memberships best known works on
the program of a symphony orchestra
concert would be a distinct shock and
disappointment. Obviously in popu-
larizing music as well as painting
hence responsibility must take care
to walk in the strait and narrow
way" not oversteppfug on either side.
In these later days the tendency
even of the museums has been to go
out into the highways and the by
ways and compel the populace to
come in. Every one must be taught
every one must have appreciation of
art cultivated for them. Nor has this
crusade of education and uplift been
confined to the museums. The wom-
ems clubs have been extremely active.
public libraries, and undoubted edly
much has been accomplished along
the right lines.
But how much danger there is of
OVERRIDING in this direction, of satiat-
ing. of misinforming! Every summer
traveller returns from Europe" in the
autumn with more or less horror of
the personally conducted party of the
usual type, recalling with concern the
groups of tourists led like lambs from
place to place. seeing with their ears
instead of with their eyes.
The foreign museums are following
our example and are establishing
professionals who undertake to guide
and instruct groups of visitors
through the several galleries. Now
the gifted teacher is a rarity, and one
who can talk intelligently as we'll as
entertainingly about art is not to be
found around every corner. Such who.
having the enthusiasm and knowledge
know how to pass it on to others can
render invaluable service, but heaven
defend us from the other sort!
\ \ X X
For the last two or three years Ed
ward Root, son OF Elihu Root,
has been trying an Interesting ex-
pertinent in his classes at Hamilton
College. Clinton, n. Y, where he is
professor of fine arts. q Instead of the
students in groups and personally in
troduced them to a few rare. fine
things-prints. paintings, bits OF
sculpture, which in each instance
would seem to give the key to an un-
derstanding of art of a certain time
and character. '
OF course there are some persons
who believe. even in the present day,
that it is impossible to educate the
masses; that art in it's greatest refine
ment is only for the few and that
those who have been vouchsafed the
vision will discover its significance
for themselves; but srch are wrong.
Many can be helped through the me :
dium Of wise guidance. Innumerable
closed minds have been opened
through the genius of a gifted teach
er. but it is we'll to remember that
art has precious qualities and that if
1t is dragged in the dust some of these
will be lost Furthermore, if those
who know fits value and love it most
do not insist upon these qualities and
show reverence they cannot expect it
from others less informed.
While the above was being written
a little pamphlet entitled The Mu-
scum and the Public" was received,
which bore directly upon this SUBJ