DOI issue:
No. 156 (March, 1906)
DOI article:The International Society's sixth annual Exhibition, [1]
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20714#0128
The International Society's Exhibition. First Notice
simile is not our own, and from the quarter from become inevitable. For it is the law of artistic
which it comes, comes also the suggestion that the temperaments to be independent and] wayward:
International Society and the New English Art Club artists find themselves divided into cliques and
should combine. This latter idea has not, we be- societies not by any outward law, but by some
lieve, escaped the consideration of the two groups, corresponding inward predilection.
There is much to be said for and against it. Whilst There are paintings which are recognised as the
undoubtedly the union would make the rivalry (a chief features of the New English Art Club which
rivalry not necessarily unfriendly) to the Royal the International Society might not be prepared to
Academy more important, it must be remembered consider as such in their own exhibitions, and
that both societies are the outcome of a desire for vice versa. Everyone who has thought about the
complete freedom from any set of preferences in art. subject has foreseen this, but it is scarcely likely
Granting that good painting may be found in every that a remedy will be forthcoming. One wonders
and any kind of picture, and as much in subject- if the interests of art are not perhaps better served
pictures as in those which are not, it is scarcely after all by this splitting up of the art world into
likely that the impulses which keep the New groups and sections, thus leaving painters un-
English Art Club together would be identical hampered in the pursuit of their various ideals, and
with those which prevail in the International insuring to them each year the very necessary
Society. Though both may think they are agreed chance of having their work exhibited prominently,
on the right of individual expression, marked It was in the standard reached by the main
individuality is nearly always accompanied on the body of contributors, members, and those invited
part of artists by an almost blinding personal pre- that the Exhibition at the New Gallery this
ference for certain things. For this reason it would year made itself so worthy of its own tradition
be difficult to secure harmony on the selection —and it did so on the strength of the average
committees, and a split sooner or later would contribution, and not on the excessive brilliance
"a white and yellow room"
i 08
by mi.i.e. w. singer
simile is not our own, and from the quarter from become inevitable. For it is the law of artistic
which it comes, comes also the suggestion that the temperaments to be independent and] wayward:
International Society and the New English Art Club artists find themselves divided into cliques and
should combine. This latter idea has not, we be- societies not by any outward law, but by some
lieve, escaped the consideration of the two groups, corresponding inward predilection.
There is much to be said for and against it. Whilst There are paintings which are recognised as the
undoubtedly the union would make the rivalry (a chief features of the New English Art Club which
rivalry not necessarily unfriendly) to the Royal the International Society might not be prepared to
Academy more important, it must be remembered consider as such in their own exhibitions, and
that both societies are the outcome of a desire for vice versa. Everyone who has thought about the
complete freedom from any set of preferences in art. subject has foreseen this, but it is scarcely likely
Granting that good painting may be found in every that a remedy will be forthcoming. One wonders
and any kind of picture, and as much in subject- if the interests of art are not perhaps better served
pictures as in those which are not, it is scarcely after all by this splitting up of the art world into
likely that the impulses which keep the New groups and sections, thus leaving painters un-
English Art Club together would be identical hampered in the pursuit of their various ideals, and
with those which prevail in the International insuring to them each year the very necessary
Society. Though both may think they are agreed chance of having their work exhibited prominently,
on the right of individual expression, marked It was in the standard reached by the main
individuality is nearly always accompanied on the body of contributors, members, and those invited
part of artists by an almost blinding personal pre- that the Exhibition at the New Gallery this
ference for certain things. For this reason it would year made itself so worthy of its own tradition
be difficult to secure harmony on the selection —and it did so on the strength of the average
committees, and a split sooner or later would contribution, and not on the excessive brilliance
"a white and yellow room"
i 08
by mi.i.e. w. singer