DOI Heft:
No.252 (April 1914)
DOI Artikel:Baldry, Alfred Lys: Some new decorative panels and fans by George Sheringham
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21209#0181
Decorative Panels and Fans by George Sheringham
S
OME NEW DECORATIVE So it is quite possible that the rarity of decorators
PANELS AND FANS BY °^ tne nrst ran^ 's a consequence of the popular
attitude towards decorative art. Not many people
understand what decoration means, fewer people
GEORGE SHERINGHAM.
It would be a rather interesting subject for appreciate its esthetic value or realise the import-
speculation whether the comparative dearth of ance of the function it has to fulfil; and therefore
really able decorators in this country is due to a it is treated as something which is of small account
lack of the right kind of instinct among our among the many forms of artistic expression. This
artists or simply to a want of opportunities. It is disheartening indifference to its claims has persisted
obvious that if there are no opportunities for the far too long in this country, so long, indeed, that
development of the decorative sense, the men who we are in much danger of being left behind in the
possess it will never be able to use their capacities race for artistic supremacy by other peoples whose
in the correct way and will be prevented from judgment is more sound and whose taste is better
doing themselves justice. The powers they are balanced. If we are to hold our own in the com-
naturally endowed with will inevitably become petition between nations, if we are not to drop
enfeebled by disuse, and will ultimately decay out finally and to become of no account in the
because they are not exercised in the sort of pro- artistic world, we must pay more attention than we
duction for which they are best fitted. Without do at present to the development of the art of
encouragement and without the chance to practise decoration and we must accord to it the fullest
the type of art to which he is temperamentally in- measure of the respect to which it is entitled,
clined, the artist only too often degenerates and drops There is no art with greater traditions ; there is
out of his proper place in his profession, only too none which affects more intimately the lives of all
often descends to devices for making a living which civilised beings ; there is none which is connected
can be excused only on the ground of sheer necessity, so closely with the progress and prosperity of
>
"the costume ball" (water-colour)
LXI. No. 252.—April 1914
by george sheringham
175
S
OME NEW DECORATIVE So it is quite possible that the rarity of decorators
PANELS AND FANS BY °^ tne nrst ran^ 's a consequence of the popular
attitude towards decorative art. Not many people
understand what decoration means, fewer people
GEORGE SHERINGHAM.
It would be a rather interesting subject for appreciate its esthetic value or realise the import-
speculation whether the comparative dearth of ance of the function it has to fulfil; and therefore
really able decorators in this country is due to a it is treated as something which is of small account
lack of the right kind of instinct among our among the many forms of artistic expression. This
artists or simply to a want of opportunities. It is disheartening indifference to its claims has persisted
obvious that if there are no opportunities for the far too long in this country, so long, indeed, that
development of the decorative sense, the men who we are in much danger of being left behind in the
possess it will never be able to use their capacities race for artistic supremacy by other peoples whose
in the correct way and will be prevented from judgment is more sound and whose taste is better
doing themselves justice. The powers they are balanced. If we are to hold our own in the com-
naturally endowed with will inevitably become petition between nations, if we are not to drop
enfeebled by disuse, and will ultimately decay out finally and to become of no account in the
because they are not exercised in the sort of pro- artistic world, we must pay more attention than we
duction for which they are best fitted. Without do at present to the development of the art of
encouragement and without the chance to practise decoration and we must accord to it the fullest
the type of art to which he is temperamentally in- measure of the respect to which it is entitled,
clined, the artist only too often degenerates and drops There is no art with greater traditions ; there is
out of his proper place in his profession, only too none which affects more intimately the lives of all
often descends to devices for making a living which civilised beings ; there is none which is connected
can be excused only on the ground of sheer necessity, so closely with the progress and prosperity of
>
"the costume ball" (water-colour)
LXI. No. 252.—April 1914
by george sheringham
175