Studio: international art (61.1914)

Jessie Bayes, Painter and Craftswoman

herself to the essential things—working indefa- those subjects. We are not deceived by the
tigably, yet fulfilling the claims of home and friend- Madonnas and Crucifixions painted for the market
ship and social ties. We do not think of her art by those who have no touch of spiritual insight,
as being feminine or the reverse. It is essential for the most consummate knowledge of technique
art, independent of all sex limitations, an expression cannot atone for lack of spiritual enlightenment,
of things felt and seen, pure in quality as the Miss Bayes is of those who carry unsullied the gift
singing voice of a boy chorister. "Where," we of art, and would fain use it for the common weal,
ask ourselves, " did these inspired ideas find their Like all true artists, she has her moods of high
origin? How can a modern escape from environ- attainment and her momentary lapses, for the same
ment and dream these exquisite dreams ? " Truly standard of execution cannot always be maintained,
to the painter as to the poet, Emerson's words especially when there is an ardent longing to
must apply : " Thou shalt lie close hid with nature, express what is well-nigh inexpressible. Her colour
and canst not be afforded to the Capitol or the is beautiful, particularly when used in a high key,
Exchange. . . . And this is the reward : that the the subtle mauves and blues predominating, as in
ideal shall be real to thee, and the impressions of the picture here given from the story of " Cupid
the actual world shall fall like summer rain, copious, and Psyche." The same colour-scheme, convey-
but not troublesome, to thy invulnerable essence ing a feeling of intense spirituality, is used in her
. . . wherever are outlets into celestial space . . . rendering of the poem, " A lovely city in a lovely
there is Beauty, plenteous as rain, shed for thee." land," an illuminated manuscript now belonging to
An artist's turn of mind is surely manifest in Miss Kathleen Figgis. One cannot describe in
his choice of subjects and methods of treating words the charm of the miniature pictures and of

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ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT OF "A MADRIGAL " BY LAPO GIANNI, TRANSLATED BY D. G. ROSSETTI. WRITTEN

AND ILLUMINATED ON VELLUM BY JESSIE BAYES

262