DOI issue:
No. 363 (June 1923)
DOI article:Stephens, Jessica Walker: The paintings of Philip Connard, A.R.A.
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21397#0325
THE PAINTINGS OF PHILIP CONNARD, A.R.A.
"DECORATIVE PANEL.” BY
PHILIP CONNARD, A.R.A.
(In the possession of F.
Derwent Wood, Esq., R.A.)
and sound were its own to such a degree
that it seemed to monopolise them, and
reign, simply by reason of the inherent
vitality in the mind behind the handling. 0
Mr. Connard is not an easy man to
classify, as regards “ school.” In spite of
his academic honours, he is not academic
in the generally accepted sense, and the
honours are, for that reason, a credit to
the Academy. He belongs, if anywhere, to
the middle school of modern art : he would
be “ New English ” if he were not so much
himself, having some of that school's
whimsical lightness of touch, and freedom
from the improper propriety of drawing
.and attitude associated with the diehard
Academician : he is not viciously respect-
able, and (let us salaam) he does not paint
the same theme every time. He may (the
suspicion comes from his work only) have
strong dislikes. One can imagine him,
faced by the sweet young lady who won
the beauty competition, becoming mute
and a little scornful, if not positively vin-
dictive. His hatred of the pretty may not
be as strong as his love of the beautiful,
but never having seen a “ pretty ” line
from him we are at liberty to think so—
and respect him accordingly. His figure
subjects are virile and muscular, his
women Northern ; if anything Southern
has touched him it is, perhaps, the art of
305
"DECORATIVE PANEL.” BY
PHILIP CONNARD, A.R.A.
(In the possession of F.
Derwent Wood, Esq., R.A.)
and sound were its own to such a degree
that it seemed to monopolise them, and
reign, simply by reason of the inherent
vitality in the mind behind the handling. 0
Mr. Connard is not an easy man to
classify, as regards “ school.” In spite of
his academic honours, he is not academic
in the generally accepted sense, and the
honours are, for that reason, a credit to
the Academy. He belongs, if anywhere, to
the middle school of modern art : he would
be “ New English ” if he were not so much
himself, having some of that school's
whimsical lightness of touch, and freedom
from the improper propriety of drawing
.and attitude associated with the diehard
Academician : he is not viciously respect-
able, and (let us salaam) he does not paint
the same theme every time. He may (the
suspicion comes from his work only) have
strong dislikes. One can imagine him,
faced by the sweet young lady who won
the beauty competition, becoming mute
and a little scornful, if not positively vin-
dictive. His hatred of the pretty may not
be as strong as his love of the beautiful,
but never having seen a “ pretty ” line
from him we are at liberty to think so—
and respect him accordingly. His figure
subjects are virile and muscular, his
women Northern ; if anything Southern
has touched him it is, perhaps, the art of
305