PICTURES..

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19480, 29 November 1928, Page 8

PICTURES..

"THE SOUL OF A HOUSE." SIR A. CONAN DOYLE'S VIEWS. ' (FROM OUR OWN CORRKSPOKJJENT.) LONDON, October IG. I would rather live in a packing-case than in a room which had neither books nor pictures."'This statement was made by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at the annual meeting of Messrs Raphael Tuck .and Sons. He was referring to what he called the heresy that, a wall without pictures could possibly be niore ornamental than one with pictures. "It seems to me," he said, "that the very soul of •a •' house lies in its pictures. It is extraordinary how the addition, of two or three seascapes can bring an atmosphere of the open sea to a room. I think that such a heresy as that to which the chairman referred cannot possibly survive for long, but that people Vi'll understand that bare walls are a reproach to tlie intellect of the person who dwells id the house." The annual meeting of ilaplrael Tuck and Sons is always an interesting function. The dignity of the speeches, the delightful way in which the members.of the .family pay compliments to each other, and the ordered rormahty belong to the London of •Dickens. In concluding his speech the chairman 'and- managing director' (Mr Ctustav Tuck) said: "One's business life is always interesting. We happen to be in a'business which, to say the least of it, is fascinating 'and stimulating. 'We are fortunate enough to be in daily touch with the best minds in the artistic and litcrarv world, Our aim is to anticipate tli© changing tastes and requirements of the public and to satisfy thorn. We have a great name to uphold. We have to think of the traditions of our I house, and -we have to;think of the public whose full confidence 'wo enjoy. I think I may say without exaggeration that ' never did our reputation stand' higher, and never was. there.a time when we enjoyed in greater'fullness than we do to-day the confidence and goodwill of the public, whom we serve." Mr Tuck referred to an exhibition of original.paintings and water colours utilised 'foi? ilie production of'the company's art publications. "Among the many purchases," he said, "I would like "to mention a special one—namely, a large-number of-originals purchased for the Duncdin Art Gallery, New Zealand, where they are now housed: and we had-a very appreciative letter from the authorities there."