International studio (59.1916)

Art and the Man

ART AND THE MAN: COMMON
/\ PICTURES FOR THE COMMON
AA PEOPLE
* BY RAYMOND WYER
“Why can we not have pictures that a common
man like myself would like?” This is a question
which is often asked and a sentiment which is
expressed in various ways in connexion with
museums and art societies. In analysing the
meaning of the word “common” one can come
only to the conclusion that the common man is
one who is not so superior mentally as other
men; and that in using this term in relation to
art, and in the spirit in which it is used, it indi-
cates a man who prefers a painting which, by
those best qualified to judge, is not considered
good.
It would be only natural to conclude that
there are different degrees of common men. We
would be justified in assuming this by the differ-
ent types of commercial pictures which are sold.
There is the high-class store which sells framed
canvases painted in the style of the best men of the
Modern Dutch School—impressionistic and with
all the attributes of their best phase except, of
course, quality itself. Attached to these are good
old Dutch names which mean nothing in spite
of the fact that the salesmen talk glibly of a
painting by van Brush or some other name which
has never been heard of in the art world.
Also may be found pictures painted in the
Pointellist method—in fact a good up-to-date
department store will furnish a variety of modern
art for those who wish to have the latest thing
in pictures.
Then we have the department stores offering
paintings with the most lurid colours and mag-
nificent frames, usually to be had for prices vary-
ing from two dollars and eighty-nine cents to
nine dollars and ninety-nine cents. And those
that cater to collectors who like a little ivory—
or, perhaps it is imitation ivory—inserted here
and there in their paintings. Occasionally it is
used to give a little distinction to a church tower.
I have a suspicion that they are sometimes given
away with tea—at least I often see them in shops
that seem to sell tea exclusively. At all events,
it proves that there is a demand for them and
that there is a variety of tastes to be taken into
consideration when buying pictures that a com-
mon man would like.

I prefer to believe that there is no such thing
as a common man. There are men and women
with varying degrees of intellect, sometimes a
natural condition but more often due to lack of
opportunity, who are blind to any condition
superior to their own. There are many, how-
ever, who may not be well informed yet who
crave a richer life—who are not satisfied with
what may be termed mere “horse sense.” If,
however, the term “ common ” should be attributed
to any type of person, it is to the one who has
the intelligence to choose between the material
and the spiritual life and is in a position to rise
to it—yet inevitably insists upon selecting the
former.
The cry of patriotism, economy, democracy and
peace are the war cries of the crafty politician and
the vain non-intellectual public man who has no
ability to emphasize his position by any construct-
ive policy.
So much advertising is obtained by the exploi-
tation of certain virtues, so much political advan-
tage is obtained by those who play on the altruistic
side of the public with an established virtue that
in their hands is merely a form of quackery. They
are not only guilty of making capital out of ac-
cepted ethics which they have distorted, but they
spread wrong conceptions which, to those people
incapable of judging for themselves or whose en-
thusiasm has warped their judgment, appear like
the real thing. Very many are deceived; but
only those who do not think deeply. It sounds
democratic and this is sufficient to obtain the sup-
port of those people who have no real conception
of the meaning of democracy, and who fail to see
the difference between the ideal and a perverted
sentiment.
If we are to have common pictures for common
men to conform to a certain idea of democracy
let us extend it and cater to every taste. Let us
provide in our libraries inferior books for inferior
people. Give unhealthy air to those who do not
know the value of fresh air, change the blue of
the sky or the green of the grass for the sake of
those who are blind. Shall we spend money on
the things which are inferior because we cannot
appreciate the superior; or shall we prudently
use our money and efforts to obtain the best, for
we shall surely rise to it—and if we fail to do so
we shall be better off for trying than for con-
tinuing to wallow in the quiescence of an ad-
mitted inferiority.

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