Boas, Franz: Primitive art (Oslo , Leipzig [u.a.], 1927)

Representative art

of the figures and their use we may safely say that the artistic in-
terest is entirely absent. We may even apply this observation to
the picture writing of the ancient Mexicans (fig. 62), which, as com-
pared to their sculpture, is of inferior value. The importance of
communicating ideas outweighs the artistic interest. We shall see
later on that nevertheless there
is a definite relation between
artistic style and the forms of
inartistic painting (see p. 164).
Incidentally it may be re-
marked here that the difference
in interest sometimes leads to
contrasting art styles, provided
the representative work is also
executed in a perfectly control-
led technique. Thus the North-
west Americans who have a
very characteristic style of art
sometimes make carvings that
are intended to deceive by their
realism. In one of their cere-
monies a person is apparently
decapitated and after the de-
capitation the head is shown
held by the hair. This head is
carved in wood and done with
great care in a most realistic fashion. It is entirely free of the
stylistic characteristics of Northwest coast carving and painting
(see fig. 156, p. 185).
We revert now to a consideration of the simple, crude represen-
tative drawings. The most important inference that may be drawn
from the study of such representations, graphic as well as plastic, is
that the problem of representation is first of all solved by the use
of symbolic forms. There is no attempt at accurate delineation.