19 DECEMBER 1885, Page 15

THE MISSING ELEMENT IN MODERN ART.

[TD THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."1

Sia,—In reading your article on Mr. Herb:orner it struck me that what is wanted in modern art is " spirituality." Art ought to be the expression of the inward meaning of outward things; in most modern pictures we have outward things, faces, dresses, scenery, more or less accurately portrayed ; but the " something " is wanting which makes a picture a work of art. We must have noble men for noble art, men not merely of moral but holy life. As it is, the heart that makes the theologian, so it is the heart that makes the artist.—I am, Sir, &c., Frogmore, St. Albans, December 13th. EDWARD LIDDELL.