DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.69711#0150
132
WESTERN ART AND THE NEW ERA
‘Kitchen Chair’ will always be greater than either the ‘Coro-
nation of Napoleon’ or ‘Washington Crossing the Delaware.’
The subject has nothing to do with art, as we saw in Rem-
brandt’s ‘Woman Paring Her Nails,’ but it may become an
extension in art, which may be an inherent part of art, as
we find in Tintoretto’s pictures. It is the subject, however,
which confuses so many of the Anglo-Saxon people, whose
chief reaction is always through the mind instead of through
the senses, as all reactions in art should be.
In conclusion we must find out where we ourselves stand
as to our own knowledge of art. If one has not gone beyond
the steps of a story-telling picture one must in all sincerity
recognize one’s own limitation, instead of trying to drag
others down to one’s level. The only chance of learning is
to acknowledge one’s own lack of knowledge, not by pre-
tending that one likes or dislikes a picture one does not com-
prehend. The most successful way is to follow in the foot-
steps of a man, a former well-known American connoisseur,
who was wise enough to buy only the pictures he personally
liked. He made his own collection. Being of simple origin
he began by liking the story-telling pictures best, until one
day there dawned on him the consciousness that he received
more pleasure in reading the stories. He loved his pictures
and would sit and look at them by the hour. Then the day
came when he realized that the art of painting was not in-
terchangeable with literature but must contain that which
can be received only through the eye. In consequence he
came to be a leader in recognizing art.
It was his great love for art which developed his power
of observation and being honest he always stood up to his own
measure. It is only according to our own measure that we can
judge. We must therefore remember that we cannot judge
that which we cannot comprehend. If our stage of devel-
opment has reached only the story-telling picture we can-
not pass judgment on a picture which appeals only to the
comprehension and understanding of art. If our develop-
WESTERN ART AND THE NEW ERA
‘Kitchen Chair’ will always be greater than either the ‘Coro-
nation of Napoleon’ or ‘Washington Crossing the Delaware.’
The subject has nothing to do with art, as we saw in Rem-
brandt’s ‘Woman Paring Her Nails,’ but it may become an
extension in art, which may be an inherent part of art, as
we find in Tintoretto’s pictures. It is the subject, however,
which confuses so many of the Anglo-Saxon people, whose
chief reaction is always through the mind instead of through
the senses, as all reactions in art should be.
In conclusion we must find out where we ourselves stand
as to our own knowledge of art. If one has not gone beyond
the steps of a story-telling picture one must in all sincerity
recognize one’s own limitation, instead of trying to drag
others down to one’s level. The only chance of learning is
to acknowledge one’s own lack of knowledge, not by pre-
tending that one likes or dislikes a picture one does not com-
prehend. The most successful way is to follow in the foot-
steps of a man, a former well-known American connoisseur,
who was wise enough to buy only the pictures he personally
liked. He made his own collection. Being of simple origin
he began by liking the story-telling pictures best, until one
day there dawned on him the consciousness that he received
more pleasure in reading the stories. He loved his pictures
and would sit and look at them by the hour. Then the day
came when he realized that the art of painting was not in-
terchangeable with literature but must contain that which
can be received only through the eye. In consequence he
came to be a leader in recognizing art.
It was his great love for art which developed his power
of observation and being honest he always stood up to his own
measure. It is only according to our own measure that we can
judge. We must therefore remember that we cannot judge
that which we cannot comprehend. If our stage of devel-
opment has reached only the story-telling picture we can-
not pass judgment on a picture which appeals only to the
comprehension and understanding of art. If our develop-