THE ROYAL ACADEMY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21018, 6 May 1930, Page 9

THE ROYAL ACADEMY

MUCH DISCUSSED PICTURE. THE CRUCIFIXION SCENE. RE-ENACTED IN MODERN SETTING. . ; (United I*res9 Association.) (By Electric : Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, May 4. The Royal Academy, which will be opened on Monday, comprises 1669 exhibits, and includes a notable display of portraits, including a -stately portrait of the Queen by. David dagger. Otherwise the critics agree that the pictures generally do riot differ in character and quality from those'of recent years.. There is the usual display of skill; but no striking example of imaginative work. The most discussed picture'is Mark Symon’s “Were You There When They Crucified My 1 Lord? ” The crucifixion scene is re-enacted in a modern setting, depicting the reactions of the human character. A top-hatted crowd jeers, a few women are hysterical, and men with faces twisted into sneers crowd around, while in the background are a publichouse and a church. 1 An unorthodox subject is John Keating’s “Homo Sapiens/’ This is,a satire on, human progress, for, surrounded by symbols of law, learning, and religion, on his head a tin hat awry and .in his hands, a gas mask,; sits a modern man waiting for the. terror of death from the skies. Sir John La very has painted Lord Melchett. The Duke of York responded to the toast of the Royal Family at Saturday night’s academy banquet. The academy.is certainly a social success judging from the groups of prominent _ people animatedly discussing everything. Artistically some . critics declare it is boring. A vast army of artists,, whose work was rejected, describe it as a farce. The Daily Herald unequivocally describes it as the worst academy since the war. BANQUET AT OPENING. INTERESTING SPEECHES, (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY; May 4. (Received May 5, at 5,5 p.m.) A banquet at the opening of the Royal Academy was held last night and there was the usual distinguished assemblage. Replying to the toast of the Royal Family, the Duke, of York expressed the opinion that-the efforts to improve the conditions of life in the great industrial centres must start from the :belief that ordinary health and contentment are. essential to vigorous and successful life in the body politic. In' fact, no-refinements of civilisation can bo built upon' foundations of misery and 'squalor. The arts will not flourish without patronage and there is no stability of wealth without the general welfare of the people. The fine arts are perhaps the surest sign of'genuine civilisation and the greatest memorial that the generation can leave behind it of the educational value of art. There can be no doubt it is a potent means of elevat-, ing and enobling a nation’s -morals arid therefore it should, be protected and encouraged by those who have the direction of the nation’s affairs. - Lord /Thomson, Secretary for Air, replying to the toast of the forces of the Crown, said that no human being could foresee' what the development, of armaments wouM be. One might be dismayed to think that a machine might outstrip the human spirit. The soldier, the sailor, and the airman of to-day were -vastly different from the men who joined the forces 40 years ago; and they had a different outlook. Many were highly skilled technicians. They had to be men capable of controlling their nervous system under t peculiarly, appalling conditions. They were not conscripts, not mercenaries; they were citizens who had adopted the great profession of arms arid were prepared, -and anxious to live up to their high calling. They were waiting with quiet confidence for any which-might come. - to the toast of.his Majesty’s Ministers Lord Parrnoor said that art culture .was ns essential an element in the system of national .education as the teaching ■of industry and .science, and should stand ,as a barrier against what was not unfairly designated as the growing mechanisation of, human life and . Ho felt that the British school of art was not adequately represented at art exhibitions abroad, and the Royal Academy and the Government, in cooperation with others, should promote an exhibition in other countries of chosen masterpieces of British artists illustra“X® of , tsle great master craftsmen at different periods;