32 OBJECTS AND DUTIES OF THE ART SECTION. 



Mbit as works of art mere studies in the handling of the 

 brash, painted from what they call a picturesque 

 arrangement of all kinds of articles, which often are 

 entirely disconnected. 



Perhaps some of them show us a cleverly-handled 

 painting of a most hideous, but, perhaps, picturesque- 

 looking man or woman. They appear to select the most 

 detestable-looking models, and thus try to see how well 

 they can represent them with the fewest possible 

 touches. 



Now this last quality, ease of execution, is a fine 

 element in art. That of the Munich portrait- school is 

 based on the style of Frans Halls, the Dutch painter. 



In short, this new school of American painters are sat- 

 isfied to call only one part of the art its whole. They 

 say painting is the art of imitation, and without this 

 technical imitation there can be no visible picture. You 

 may have the most poetical thought or conception, yet 

 if there is no adequate execution the world will never be 

 the wiser for it. This is very true. These artists 

 forget, however, the true aim of art. 



The aim of painting is not merely to represent the 

 natural beauties of objects, but also moral and intel- 

 lectual beauties, the representation of which will, so to 

 say, render virtue visible. The objects selected by the 

 artist ought to familiarize the people with beauty and 

 harmony, and thus form their taste ; while the subject 

 will contribute to make them better and happier. 



Believing this to be the true aim of art, let us as an 

 art club for a moment consider our own duties towards 

 art and towards society. 



Article i., of our by-laws, states that our object "is 

 the promotion of the fine arts, by means of practical 

 work and instruction in the study of art ; by lectures on, 

 and discussions of subjects relating thereto ; and by 



