294 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. -XXI. 



can never quite place themselves behind the minds of the Indian 

 artists, however artistic and religious themselves, in the way that 

 Indians can, with centuries of tradition behind them and a large 

 heritage of Oriental religious training and outlook. Dr. Coomara- 

 swamy (who boasts a fair proportion of Eastern blood in his veins), 

 was specially fitted from his study of Western as well as Eastern 

 Art to unfold the beauties and significance of the various selec- 

 tions of work which he was able to throw upon the screen. His 

 hearers, however, must have disagreed with him as to the beauty 

 and grace of many of the figures which he praised for those special 

 qualities, their anatomical and other features being often decidedly 

 out of correct drawing, while some essential features were eliminated 

 altogether. The idea behind this — of concentrating the attention 

 on prominent thoughts or emotions conveyed by the figures — is 

 all very well as an idiosyncrasy of race; but, criticising it as a 

 human being and not as a Westerner opposed to the Oriental, we 

 cannot agree with Dr. Coomaraswamy that in such drawings or 

 sculpture the true conception of art is fulfilled. Art must first of 

 all represent some true thing ; but it must represent it in a way 

 that carries conviction to the untrained as well as the trained 

 artistic eye, the spectator being compelled to say at once that the 

 thing is " right." In his dealing, therefore, with the executive 

 perfection of Indian artists, we think that the learned lecturer 

 failed to take due account of universal canons which remain 

 unaffected by any age, race, or clime. 



A Buddhist priest of high learning argued with the lecturer on 

 his handling of the Buddhist religion, warmly differing from him 

 on the theory that Yogism and Buddhism were one and the same. 



We look forward with interest to the results of Dr. Coomara- 

 swamy' s further study of Buddhist Art in Java and India. 



Dr. CoomaraswAmy on His Lecture, &c. 



May 15, 1909. 



Dear Sir, — With regard to the remarks in your leader I need 

 say very little. The contrast between your views and those which 

 are held by the few European artists who are acquainted with the 

 real achievements of Indian art is indeed remarkable. I have 

 no wish to start a controversy on the merits of Indian art, 

 which may be left to speak for itself to those who have any real 

 knowledge of it ; but I may quote for your information a recent 

 pronouncement by one English artist, lately for many years 

 Principal of the Calcutta School of Art : — 



* ' To him the study of Indian sculpture and painting had been 

 an opening into a new world of artistic thought, full of the most 

 wonderful charm. Indian sculpture had reached to greater 

 imaginative heights than any other in the world." 



There are many works on Indian Archaeology. May I recom- 

 mend to your readers what is practically the only one on Indian 

 Art, viz., Mr. Havell's " Indian Sculpture and Painting," published 

 last year by Mr. Murray. — Yours, &c, 



A. K. Coomaraswamy. 



