DOI Heft:
No. 281 (August 1916)
DOI Artikel:West, W. K.: Some pastels by Mr. George Sheringham
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21262#0153
Some Pastels by George Sheringham
SOME PASTELS BY MR. GEORGE can be handled in whatever manner may fit best
SHERINGHAM mtent^on °f ^s art or tne character of the
work on which at the moment he may happen to
There is a great deal of nonsense written be engaged. It can be carried far and elaborately
about pastel by critics who have not taken the finished, or it can be treated slightly and sketchily
trouble to study the medium—in criticisms of to suggest the facts of the subject chosen ; it can
exhibitions of pastel paintings it is common to see be used broadly and in masses like a painting
this or that type of work praised as correct and medium or with the line method of a drawing ; and
legitimate and other types dismissed as departures there is hardly any class of subject which cannot
from technical propriety or as misapplications of be realised and expressed with its assistance,
the process. Such attempts to limit the scope of No better illustration of the adaptability of
pastel and to fetter with conventions the freedom pastel to a particular purpose could be desired
of the artists who use it in their work are the more than is afforded in the works by Mr. George
to be deplored because they are inspired by the Sheringham which are reproduced here. These
ill-informed opinions of the critics themselves and decorative fantasies depend essentially for their
are founded neither upon knowledge of the history effect upon the right adjustment of lines and
of the medium nor upon understanding of its masses and upon the well-considered placing of
capacities: dogmatism of this sort is as harmful colour spaces; they demand little in the way of
as it is misleading. realistic representation of fact, and require no
For, really, there are no rules which can be laid high degree of surface finish and no elaboration
down for the management of pastel. It is a of execution for elaboration's sake. Their charm
medium which can be applied in almost any way lies in their daintiness of suggestion and in what
which suits the personality of the artist, and which may be called their speculative interest; in the
" the pond "
LXVIII. No. 281.—August 1916
by george sheringham
'33
SOME PASTELS BY MR. GEORGE can be handled in whatever manner may fit best
SHERINGHAM mtent^on °f ^s art or tne character of the
work on which at the moment he may happen to
There is a great deal of nonsense written be engaged. It can be carried far and elaborately
about pastel by critics who have not taken the finished, or it can be treated slightly and sketchily
trouble to study the medium—in criticisms of to suggest the facts of the subject chosen ; it can
exhibitions of pastel paintings it is common to see be used broadly and in masses like a painting
this or that type of work praised as correct and medium or with the line method of a drawing ; and
legitimate and other types dismissed as departures there is hardly any class of subject which cannot
from technical propriety or as misapplications of be realised and expressed with its assistance,
the process. Such attempts to limit the scope of No better illustration of the adaptability of
pastel and to fetter with conventions the freedom pastel to a particular purpose could be desired
of the artists who use it in their work are the more than is afforded in the works by Mr. George
to be deplored because they are inspired by the Sheringham which are reproduced here. These
ill-informed opinions of the critics themselves and decorative fantasies depend essentially for their
are founded neither upon knowledge of the history effect upon the right adjustment of lines and
of the medium nor upon understanding of its masses and upon the well-considered placing of
capacities: dogmatism of this sort is as harmful colour spaces; they demand little in the way of
as it is misleading. realistic representation of fact, and require no
For, really, there are no rules which can be laid high degree of surface finish and no elaboration
down for the management of pastel. It is a of execution for elaboration's sake. Their charm
medium which can be applied in almost any way lies in their daintiness of suggestion and in what
which suits the personality of the artist, and which may be called their speculative interest; in the
" the pond "
LXVIII. No. 281.—August 1916
by george sheringham
'33