DOI Heft:
No. 241 (April 1913)
DOI Artikel:Studio-talk
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21160#0237
Studio- Talk
has been the traditional attitude of parents towards It cannot be denied that there was and still is a
boys who have happened to display any artistic great deal of truth in this criticism, even if we allow
leanings. The biographies of artists show what a that it may have been tinged with a little masculine
large number of them have embarked on their bias and possibly a general lack of sympathy with
calling in face of stern parental opposition. feminine work at large. But be that as it may,
one cannot be blind to the fact that things have
changed very much for the better in these days,
That this system of teaching girls to draw and and that the number of really competent women
paint whether they have any real capacity for it or artists is steadily increasing. They are, of course,
not has been responsible for a vast amount of women who devote themselves very seriously to the
humdrum, commonplace production there can, un- study and practice of art and realise that only by
fortunately, be little doubt. The late Sir George persistent application and self-discipline, prompted
Reid, who as Member and President of the Royal by a genuine passion for their calling, can their
Scottish Academy had to pass judgment on a large work reach a standard of excellence which corn-
number of pictures sent in by women artists, made mands the respect of those competent to judge,
no secret of the opinion he entertained of the bulk There are some perhaps who deliberately aim at
of them. "Altogether deplorable" was his verdict, qualities which give their work an appearance of
according to the writer of his obituary notice in the masculine power and also select subjects demand-
" Morning Post." "They appear," he is reported to ing forceful treatment solely for that purpose,
have said, "to be the work of young ladies who But an affected virility of this kind is a doubtful
have nothing to do and who therefore 'paint a merit in a woman artist, and is apt to leave an
little' without having more than the faintest notion impression of insincerity,
of drawing or colouring. They are all anxious to -
have their pictures exhibited, but they have no idea No objection of this nature can be urged against
of working honestly and hard in order to produce the work of Mrs. A. M. Burleigh, some examples
good work." of which are here reproduced. She is not ashamed
'THE MERCHANT" FROM A WATER-COLOUR DRAWING BY AVERIL M BURLEIGH
214
has been the traditional attitude of parents towards It cannot be denied that there was and still is a
boys who have happened to display any artistic great deal of truth in this criticism, even if we allow
leanings. The biographies of artists show what a that it may have been tinged with a little masculine
large number of them have embarked on their bias and possibly a general lack of sympathy with
calling in face of stern parental opposition. feminine work at large. But be that as it may,
one cannot be blind to the fact that things have
changed very much for the better in these days,
That this system of teaching girls to draw and and that the number of really competent women
paint whether they have any real capacity for it or artists is steadily increasing. They are, of course,
not has been responsible for a vast amount of women who devote themselves very seriously to the
humdrum, commonplace production there can, un- study and practice of art and realise that only by
fortunately, be little doubt. The late Sir George persistent application and self-discipline, prompted
Reid, who as Member and President of the Royal by a genuine passion for their calling, can their
Scottish Academy had to pass judgment on a large work reach a standard of excellence which corn-
number of pictures sent in by women artists, made mands the respect of those competent to judge,
no secret of the opinion he entertained of the bulk There are some perhaps who deliberately aim at
of them. "Altogether deplorable" was his verdict, qualities which give their work an appearance of
according to the writer of his obituary notice in the masculine power and also select subjects demand-
" Morning Post." "They appear," he is reported to ing forceful treatment solely for that purpose,
have said, "to be the work of young ladies who But an affected virility of this kind is a doubtful
have nothing to do and who therefore 'paint a merit in a woman artist, and is apt to leave an
little' without having more than the faintest notion impression of insincerity,
of drawing or colouring. They are all anxious to -
have their pictures exhibited, but they have no idea No objection of this nature can be urged against
of working honestly and hard in order to produce the work of Mrs. A. M. Burleigh, some examples
good work." of which are here reproduced. She is not ashamed
'THE MERCHANT" FROM A WATER-COLOUR DRAWING BY AVERIL M BURLEIGH
214