Studio: international art (75.1918)

Modern Miniatures

MODERN MINIATURES even if the means by which it is stimulated are

those of the modern world.

IT may seem a little curious to suggest that But even in the modern world the photograph

there is some sort of connexion between has not ousted the miniature, and the war, if it

war and the art of miniature painting— has made the photographers busy, has done

the two things have apparently nothing much for the miniature painters too. There

to do with one another. And yet in its earlier has been of late an increased demand for what

stages the art did owe something to war and was are really famity portraits in little ; portraits

helped in its development by military influences, of men who are risking, or have lost, their lives

When the old-time warrior went to remote in the war have been produced in considerable

countries, to fight in campaigns the duration of numbers during the last two or three years,

which could not be fore- and among miniatures

seen, and to live a life ^^^MMPHS^^ °f this type there have

of uncertain and in- ,^0^^ ^^||^ been some notable

definite adventure, it j£f achievements. Good

lady's portrait when he vk ^ * ^^^^^ portraiture in which

was separated from her | ' JHj the competition of the

by many leagues of sea VI If photograph is felt most

and land, and he was \% • '-mm definitely. Even in this

sufficiently a lover of Y« <tt direction the war seems

romance to believe that ^m. M to have had appreciable

which would make him ^^^^ ^ ^s interesting to

worthy of her. The min- ^^^^BM^Btf^^^ see how the art of

iature painter, the artist ,, miniature painting has

r ' "miss katharine vincent. by john r b

by whose skill the image stewart clark responded to this in-

of the remote fair one crease of opportunity,

could be presented in its most engaging form, and to note how the artists are using the

was to the knight and noble of the Middle greater chances which the war has brought

Ages a wizard who claimed respect and en- them. On the whole, there is not much

couragement, and he played a part of no change in the character of the work which

little importance in the social life of those is being done, or in the qualities good and

times. bad by which the modern miniature has been

To-day the miniature has not such an un- distinguished for some years past. It is still
disputed possession of the field. The photog- possible to divide miniature painters into two
rapher is a very serious competitor with the sections, one—which is far the larger of the two—
miniature painter, and the fighting man is more in which the photographic influence is supreme,
likely to take with him overseas photographs and the other in which the earlier traditions
of the people who are most in his thoughts than of the art are maintained and brought in-
painted portraits such as his ancestors carried telligently up to date. In both sections there
with them into battle. By the products of the are artists of distinction, and in both things are
camera he is inspired, and by the photograph being produced which have undoubtedly claims
he hides in his pocket-book his sense of romance to consideration ; but there are no signs of any
is kept alive—he has all the old-time spirit new movement which might lead in the future

LXXV. No. 308.—November 1918 35