362 LITERARY PAPERS 



what she sees. It is the end of the struggle of the human race; 

 all work and thought have been of no avail; the fight is over 

 and inorganic forces proclaim their victory. The scene is a 

 striking reality. Nature is indifferent, and her aspects are 

 meaningless, for what indications of the unavoidable end come 

 from seeing that gay- flowered field ? It is a mockery, and that 

 mind which has once felt the depth of the thoughts expressed 

 in this painting, can only seek safety in forgetfulness. 



Monet does not offer any solution to the result to which 

 his pictures lead. He is occupied in giving expression to the 

 most serious truths of our life. He is recording the chronicles 

 of modern thought. 



The pictures of Renoir and Sisley are of great interest, as 

 offering solutions to the ideas that run through Monet's 

 pictures; or, if not solutions, at least those painters may be 

 considered in the light of physicians, who are engaged in alle- 

 viating human suffering, so that the patient may forget the 

 incurableness of his malady. 



Renoir offers a course which so many of our day gladly 

 follow. "The Breakfast at Bougival" and his studies of the 

 nude clearly show the direction of his thought. The latter 

 are void of expression. The idea of the immediate present in 

 its sensual aspects is expressed by subject and treatment. The 

 figures are prominently in the foreground. The coloring is 

 rich and intense, and the backgrounds are indistinct, and 

 echo the coloring of the objects of the foreground. He would 

 teach us not to look into the distant, for all there is indiffer- 

 ent; we can never outline the forms of the future. Life is im- 

 penetrable, and why should we trouble ourselves with what 

 will only result in failure and disappointment? Renoir has 

 presented this side of the situation with a masterly hand, but 

 the dangers of his teaching are great, and the character who 

 hopes to forget, by these means, is utterly lost to himself and 

 to others. 



Sisley 's pictures offer scenes of industry, home life, and the 

 peace that results from leading an honorable and pure career. 

 He sings the song of work. His pictures are beautiful, and 

 if examined in this spirit, are powerful lessons. 



