The Society for the Encouragement of the Fine Arts, which
has been in existence some two years, is composed of a body of gentlemen who are under the impression that they foster the art of this country by arrogating to themselves the right of pronouncing which are the best pictures and poems, architectural and musical compositions of the year, and rewarding their authors by a presentation of medals and invitations to conversazioni not always of the most hilarious cha- racter. The sixth meeting of the season was held on the evening of Wednesday, the 3rd inst., when the award of the Society's medals was announced as follows : " In historical painting, to Mr. M. Stone, for his picture of 'Claudio and Hero ;' in genre, to Mr. P. H. Cal- deron, for La Demande en Mariage,' in the Royal Academy ; in landscape to Mr. M'Callurn, for his Morning : Outskirts of Burnham Wood,' in the Royal Academy ; in water-colour painting (two medals), to Mr. S. Read, for 'The High Altar of the Church of St. Augustin, Antwerp,' in the Old Water Colour Society's Exhibition, and to Mr. Edward G. Warren, for Rest in the Cool and Shady Wood,' in the Gallery of the New Society of Painters in Water Colours ; in sculpture, to Mr. George Halse, for his bronze group,
The Tarpeian Rock,' in the Royal Academy; and in archi- tecture, to Mr. A. W. Blomfield, for his design for the Mission Home now building in Bedfordbnry, in the Architectural Exhibition. In poetry, no award. In music, the special committee will report in the winter."
It is, of course, a matter of little moment to any one if a number of gentlemen, with a great deal of spare time on their hands, like to amuse themselves in a harmless way, but one would like to know on what principle the members found their system of rewards. It will be news to most people to learn that Mr. Stone's "Hero" is an "his- torical" picture. Could no work of equal merit have been discovered that would more justly have deserved this title P If not, "historical painting," like "poetry," should have received no award. Most of the fortunate holders of prizes are young men, but some of the awards are so singular in their character as to leave it doubtful whether youth, talent, or the colour of the producer's hair has influenced the judgment of the Society. I have a suspicion that young artists will not receive the medals of this self-constituted Art Jury with any outrageous demonstrations of delight. It is even possible that they will not be eager to attend the meeting at which the prizes will be distributed, and the recipients patted on the head by elderly gentle- men and smiled on by ladies as if they were exemplary schoolboys. The whole thing is a mistake, and giving prizes to works which do not compete for them savours of impertinence. In future years the Society should invite a competition. This would save trouble and expense, as the task of awarding medals would not be onerous. Day Porn%
Previous page
