DOI Heft:
No. 28 (July, 1895)
DOI Artikel:W., G.: The Manchester arts and crafts: second exhibition$nElektronische Ressource
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17294#0150
The Manchester Arts and Crafts
case so long as the majority, despite all efforts to parochial) is always subject to the danger of falling
instruct it, shows that its taste is not governed by under the reproach of being the display of a
any law, but is guided solely by personal whims clique, and not a perfectly representative selection,
or the prejudices of fashion. Nor, taking an Though it escape this, it shall less easily avoid
opposite view, is it always wise to assume that a lowering its standard of excellence in the plausible
minority, however well informed, can be at once effort to be catholic at any cost,
entirely right in its opinion and
yet quite catholic in its practice.
The crucial test of the whole
question of exhibitions depends
upon the minority who select
being guided by abstract laws
of good taste, administered in
the most impartial and unpre-
judiced manner; and absolutely
without bias towards any parti-
cular style, but always ready to
accept the " best " of all sorts.
For good taste, despite the
colour which must needs be
imparted to it by the personality
of its owner, is not merely the
trained fancy of one nor of a
number of individuals. To
form it, obedience is due first to
certain canons accepted by all
civilised peoples. For example,
accurate drawing and correct
modelling, sound construction
and complete fitness, should all
be taken as essentials in the
production of a work that satis-
fies good taste. Then comes
the critical knowledge based
upon the study of Nature and
Art, and finally something less
easy to define, commonly called
culture. But true culture is no
shibboleth of a sect, however
popular or esoteric, but should
hold in the arts the same posi-
tion as good manners and
chivalrous instinct retain in the
conduct of the ordinary affairs
of life. It is possible for your stained-glass window by henry holiday
born artist to have this instinct
of culture, with little book-learning or cosmopolitan The smaller the area to be drawn upon, the
experience; but whatever he may have of the two more we expect the taste of a particular set to
latter, unless he possess the indefinable quality— be manifested. Yet Manchester cannot be set
now called good taste, now culture, and now art— against London as an offender in this respect,
his work will lack the final touch which completes it. The warmest admirers of the Society that has held
Now, people of culture disagree, even upon several exhibitions at the New Gallery would
vital points, and since human nature loves to have hardly claim that it even professed to represent
its own way, the local exhibition (be it national or all schools of design, all standards of good taste.
l31
case so long as the majority, despite all efforts to parochial) is always subject to the danger of falling
instruct it, shows that its taste is not governed by under the reproach of being the display of a
any law, but is guided solely by personal whims clique, and not a perfectly representative selection,
or the prejudices of fashion. Nor, taking an Though it escape this, it shall less easily avoid
opposite view, is it always wise to assume that a lowering its standard of excellence in the plausible
minority, however well informed, can be at once effort to be catholic at any cost,
entirely right in its opinion and
yet quite catholic in its practice.
The crucial test of the whole
question of exhibitions depends
upon the minority who select
being guided by abstract laws
of good taste, administered in
the most impartial and unpre-
judiced manner; and absolutely
without bias towards any parti-
cular style, but always ready to
accept the " best " of all sorts.
For good taste, despite the
colour which must needs be
imparted to it by the personality
of its owner, is not merely the
trained fancy of one nor of a
number of individuals. To
form it, obedience is due first to
certain canons accepted by all
civilised peoples. For example,
accurate drawing and correct
modelling, sound construction
and complete fitness, should all
be taken as essentials in the
production of a work that satis-
fies good taste. Then comes
the critical knowledge based
upon the study of Nature and
Art, and finally something less
easy to define, commonly called
culture. But true culture is no
shibboleth of a sect, however
popular or esoteric, but should
hold in the arts the same posi-
tion as good manners and
chivalrous instinct retain in the
conduct of the ordinary affairs
of life. It is possible for your stained-glass window by henry holiday
born artist to have this instinct
of culture, with little book-learning or cosmopolitan The smaller the area to be drawn upon, the
experience; but whatever he may have of the two more we expect the taste of a particular set to
latter, unless he possess the indefinable quality— be manifested. Yet Manchester cannot be set
now called good taste, now culture, and now art— against London as an offender in this respect,
his work will lack the final touch which completes it. The warmest admirers of the Society that has held
Now, people of culture disagree, even upon several exhibitions at the New Gallery would
vital points, and since human nature loves to have hardly claim that it even professed to represent
its own way, the local exhibition (be it national or all schools of design, all standards of good taste.
l31