Читать книгу The Times Great War Letters: Correspondence during the First World War - James Owen - Страница 38

HELP FOR ARTISTS

23 February 1915

SIR,—IN WEDNESDAY’S issue of The Times there was printed a report of a public meeting held to consider means for assisting distress in the artistic professions. That art is one of the luxuries of life which cannot at this time expect public support is a view held by most people. But surely if art be in truth the noble and inspiring thing our foremost statesmen annually assure us it is, it should be of service in time of war as well as in time of peace. Your leader writer to-day writes warmly commending the spirit shown by those painters who are giving their works for the benefit of the Red Cross Fund. It must be remembered that only painters whose names are generally known can well offer their services on such an occasion. There are other ways of serving, and throughout the country there are numbers of men and women, not painters only, but followers of every kind of craft, eager to devote their skill and energy to the service of the Empire. In order that their services be employed it is not charity which is needed, but a wider understanding of the fruitful use to which their talents may be put. In past ages the practical value of the artist’s vision has been shrewdly appreciated. To-day we have schools and public buildings of every kind which might bear witness to the constant beauty of men’s vision, hospitals which may be so decorated as to bring renewed hope to the sick and wounded. The war, which brings suffering and distress to so many, also brings added prosperity to many industries. May not some of our industrial leaders be persuaded to employ local craftsmen to decorate workshops and factories, shops and city offices, both outside and within? A few thousand pounds spent in London and our great provincial cities would provide rich opportunities for a great number of eager craftsmen, so many of whom are now unemployed, and would serve to convince people more eloquently than even the passionate appeals of Ruskin and William Morris what skill and beauty live in the hands and hearts of men.

Many of our provincial galleries have funds for the purchase of contemporary paintings, and a part of these, increased by the generosity of public-spirited citizens, might well be used for the decoration of local public buildings. Will not the Trustees of the National Gallery, of the British and Victoria and Albert Museums, set an example to the country by devoting some small portion of their funds, usually dedicated to the purchase of ancient works of art, to some such purpose?

We are already so rich in works of the past, so poor in public expression of our own vision. I believe able and inspiring men could be found who would gladly give their time and experience to such a cause, under whom younger men and women would be proud and willing to work for modest remuneration.

Faithfully yours,

W. ROTHENSTEIN