A Hundred Years Ago
The King has sent a most gracious message to the President of the Royal Academy, inquiring in what way His Majesty can best promote the interests of fine art. There is but one answer that the Royal Academy, if it desires to lay claim to any character for sense of rectitude, eon give to His Majesty ; and it is to this effect—That as regards portrait painting and small pictures of familiar life, the merely imitative works of art, which address themselves to the popular under- standing and the admiration of the many, sufficient encouragement will be found in the private patronage of individuals and the great body of the wealthy public ; but that for high art, which includes in its range of subjects the loftier feelings and sublime emotions developed by great deeds and characters and scenes of grandeur, appealing to the heart through the mind as well as the senses— for historical painting and sculpture, them can be no sufficiently general or extensive demand to enable artists to devote their whole time to the study and attainment of first-rate excellence, without national encouragement and royal patronage. The reason is obvious ; there are few individuals of taste and intellect, who are sufficiently wealthy to purchase great historical pictures for the sake of patronizing art and where such individuals are found, they naturally prefer having their domestic affections and personal tastes ministered to by the means of art, to expending large sums in the purchase of gigantic pictures of historical subjects. And even were this not the case, there would not be sufficient patronage to give permanent employment to the historical painter. It is reserved for the nation to foster native genius and encourage eminent talent, by adorning the public buildings, such as the Houses of Lords and Commons, the Courts of Justice, public halls, churches, 4:c., with works of art.
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