ART.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11346, 14 April 1900, Page 3

ART.

, TO Til P. EDITOR. Sir,—l noticed a letter in a Into issue of your paper signed "A Lover 'of; Art, "J in which the writer complains of certain pictures which he says frequently appear in at least two of the shops in Shortland-street. The shops referred to are no doubt those of j the two art picture dealers in that street. His statement proves that he possesses no appreciation of art in its proper sense. What he saw were nhotogravures of reproductions of some of the finest pictures which adorn the walls of the art pillories of ' the , world. Fancv any potion having the audacity to characterise Lcighton'u pictures (for this • great man was + very partial to the style which bo shocks j our friend) as abominablo 1 art ! * if- •. • "! '

j What would this lover of art like to do with all those glorious pictures and the priceless statuary which attempt to portray some of the beauty and grace of the female form Would he have them destroyed because there are some persons—ho is evidently ' one of them— cannot view.these works of art from a proper standpoint, but allow their diseased imaginations to suggest im- \ moral ideas ? Does not the same argument " apply with considerable force to many and rome of the most beautiful passages in the Bible?, "Lover of Art" might just as well say, becauso it is possible for low-minded people to applv evil meanings to such passages, that the book is not a fit and propo' one to read.— am, etc., ' . . Another Lover OF Art. > •' Parnell, April 6, 1000. ; ,-' ' : •