THE STANDARD OF ART

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 20 June 1932, Page 7

THE STANDARD OF ART

A STEADYING INFLUENCE

“It is the endeavour of the academy, in accordance with its traditions, to show the best work of all expressions, whether old or new, and to recognise merit without prejudice while holding to traditional high standards,” writes Sii William Llewellyn, president, of tim Royal Academy, in the “Daily Telegraph.” “The academy, after all, must demand the highest standard of craftsmanship, and rightly it must insist that this is a necessary foundation to any work of art which may claim to live, even if only for a fleeting period. Today so much of modern work is poor in technique, difiwing and design and, although it may have in it a fresh vision and a new expression, it does sometimes show a want of that knowledge which can be attained only by an earnest and constant study of nature and the great works of the past. Many of the thousands of works sent in for ‘selection’ are so desperately childish and display either such a want of knowledge or a contempt for every notable quality required in a true work of art, and that it is fortunate for the country and the cause of art that an institution like the academy exists. For, while it is extremely catholic in its outlook, it can never deliberately encourage bad work, mere eccentricity or extravagance. It must always recognise its responsibility as a steadying influence. No less so is this the case in these times of quick changes and of much loose thinking, writing and talking, diverse adventure and mere experiment.”