THE VALUE OF A PICTURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14357, 29 October 1908, Page 8

THE VALUE OF A PICTURE.

Sir.—ln your issue of the 27th Mr Braiihwaite says that in a debate with Jlr Dobks, a singlc-taxcr. lie exposed his fallacy tlia.t. all wealth comes from tlio land. 110 quotes the Gaiflsborough picture worlh £50,030, anil asked where the value came from. If it. is worth that sum it is only worth it to a wealthy parson, and J mainlain, like all Socialists, that land mid labour wore essential in its production. For insianc-?, the canvas, wood, and oils are combined with the artisL'n skill, all necessary factors, and so also the brushes and the. vessels that, contained the oils. To lwgin with, the canvas, the -wood, oils, brushes, etc., are created by the application of labour to the raw material. All the labourers in connection with t.lio production of the picture—arlist included— lived on the product of the land during the many stages through which it passed defore it appeared as a- finished painting. I should like Mr liraitJiwaite to state how it would b 0 possible to produce t.ho picturc without the oil, wood, cotton, and all other substances which are part of the wealth of tlio land. In conclusion, I consider, under present, labour conditions, a side of hjvron of more value to the worker than the Gainsborough picture.—l am, etc., F. WOOFFIXDUr. Wainiatc, October 28.