§ 9.—SCALES FROM REALISM TO CONVENTIONALISM.
These two methods, when applied absolutely, form the two extremes:—The most complete REALISM being at one end, and the most limited CONVENTIONALISM at the other. There are scales of gradual reduction between them, which may be shown on two charts:
(i) Reduction in the NUMBER OF PARTS which preserve their Realistic rendering.
(ii) Reduction in the DEGREE OF REALISM through all parts.
(i) According to the number of the features or parts of the design which are treated with less than realism. Thus there might be a panel representing a Window-opening with an architectural framing, with a Flower-vase on the sill, and a Landscape-background. The first part to be reduced in realistic rendering would be the Background, the second would be the Framing, leaving the third, the Flower-vase, as the survival. This is a Scale of reduction in Number of Parts.
It may be shown, in tabular arrangement, thus:—
| REALISM.........................................................CONVENTIONALISM. | |||
| COMPLETE PICTORIAL REALISM, in which all parts are realisticallyrepresented (see § 10). | SEMI-PICTORIAL REALISM, in which the Back-ground is reduced toa flat-tint, while all the remaining parts are realisticallyrepresented (see § 11). | DECORATIVE REALISM, in which the chief Feature (only)is realistically represented, and all the other parts arreduced to conventional renderings (see § 12). | COMPLETE CONVENTIONALISM, in which all parts are reduced toconventional renderings (see Conventionalism). |
Inasmuch as there is some realistic part remaining in each of the first three methods—these are classified under the heading of REALISM.
(ii) According to the Degree in which color, gradation, or shading, is sacrificed, in consequence of the limited Means at the disposal of the Artist; resulting in the gradual departure from Realism to the most severe Conventionalism. The reduction is applied to all parts of the work. This is a scale of reduction in Degree. There are two Varieties in each degree; and they are marked with italic letters.
It may be shown, in tabular arrangement, thus:—