THE MODERN BUYER:
Growls of Modern "Masters."
Royal Academy, Burlington House, May 3, 1895.
The "Old Masters" over, the New make a start.
Another year's past and another year's come;
And Fame blows a blast on her trumpet, and Art
Beats her drum!
"Walk Up!!" An example is set by the Court;
And Society hastens—a feverish throng;
A mere glance at the pictures, for life is but short—
And Art's long!
Three artists looked on with a cynical smile—
One needy Outsider, and two rich R.A.'s
(Both walking on velvet, because of the pile
They could raise).
They discussed the "Art Patron"—in all of that crowd
An avis that's rara and rara each year.
And these are the words that they spoke, and allowed
Me to hear:—
First R.A.
"Now, to none do I yield in my love of Vandyck—
I adore the Italians—bow down to the Dutch;
Velasquez I worship, and Goya I like
Very much.
"But alas! for the Sheepshanks and Vernons of old—
For the Hills and the rest of a connoisseur race!
Old Mecænas has gone; and investors of gold
Take his place."
Second R.A.
"'Old Masters' they buy—any ancient design—
Eighteen-thirty or so is the latest they'll own;
None but 'made reputations'—no work, howe'er fine,
If unknown."
Outsider.
"Their Art's in their bankers'-books, not in their eyes
To encourage the artist is none of their plan;
They seek an investment that's likely to rise—
To a man.
"Do they think that fine art nowhere else can be seen
But in saint that is squint-eyed, or boor that is drunk,
In brown tree, Dutch canal, man with ruff, or the lean
Spanish monk?"
Second R.A.
"Just reflect to what artists of old had been brought
(Such as Reynolds, or Raphael, or Phidias the Greek)
Had their patrons informed them they meant to buy nought
But antique!"
Outsider.
"Then, our drawing is better—our atmosphere too.
Plein air was ignored, or they voted it vice.
As to 'values,' 'twas little they thought of or knew—
Save of price."
First R.A.
"When men buy modern art, they buy Leightons and Moores
And Sargents and Swans and the rest of our lot;
But as to their knowledge—like mine or like yours—
Tommy rot!"
Second R.A.
"Do you think they appreciate Lewis's skies—
Do they care if they're worked up in stipple or wash?
Do you think it's the Art (not the money) they prize?
Simply bosh!"
Outsider.
"No. They judge not by Art—they judge only by fame;
And the artist may starve on his poor pallet-bed;
But their hundreds and thousands they shower on his name
When he's dead!—
"When the two Greatest Masters—Old Varnish and Time—
To his work superficial beauties have lent,
Lo behold, they appreciate! Be it so. I'm
Quite content."
