Page 5 - Is the Camera the Friend or Foe of Art - The Studio - June 1893

Is the Camera the Friend or Foe of Art?

a factor in the result, it deserves to come within From Mr. W. P. FRITH, R.A.
the sacred pale of art, but in the outer courts
DEAR SIR,—In my opinion photography has not
alone. That the camera at its best can select all
benefited art, and to the professors of certain
through the field of vision the essential and leave
branches to wit, miniature painting and engraving
the non-essential, can infuse the human interest
—it has been so injurious as, in the form of photo-
which such selection implies, and can replace the
gravure, to have nearly destroyed the latter ; and by
indefinable personality of the real artist, is to ask
means of coloured prints • made to resemble minia-
that a machine shall be not only directed by, but
tures a fatal blow has been struck at that beautiful
possessed of, genius, and this, so far as knowledge
art.—Sincerely yours,
dares to forecast, is at present, and apparently must W. P. FRITH.
always remain, impossible. It might be well to ASHENHURST, FOREST HILL, S.
add that this brief summary of a few aspects of the
question is offered merely as a tentative solution of From Sir JOHN GILBERT, R.A., P.R.W.S.
the problem, and was prepared before the opinion SIR,—I have not formed any opinion in my own
of the various artists who have so kindly responded mind on the subject on which you desire to know
to the appeal worded as the first sentence of this my views—viz., " The Influence of Photography on
introduction had been received. This much must Modern Art." It is an important matter, but one
be said to avoid an appearance of a desire to which I am too feeble to fully consider. Therefore
anticipate the view of those far more competent I hope you will excuse me,—I am, yours faithfully,
to judge, and to disdain any intention of arrogating JOHN GILBERT.
the position of a judicial summing up in a paper BLACKHEATH.
that is intended to open—not to close—a discus-
From Sir GEORGE REID, P.R.S.A.
sion on the camera in art.
DEAR SIR,—The question whether the influence
II. BY VARIOUS EMINENT AUTHORITIES.
of the camera has been on the whole beneficial or
The question to which the following are replies prejudicial to art is one which I have never seriously
was intended to discover :—
considered, and I hesitate to express an opinion off-
" Whether the camera has, on the whole, been
hand. It is just one of those debatable questions
beneficial or detrimental to art ? This query was
on which a good deal may be said on both sides.
not intended to be taken in a commercial sense, but
—Believe me, yours truly,
to ascertain if the conventions hitherto accepted
GEO. REID.
by the painter have been modified since its intro-
22 ROYAL TERRACE, EDINBURGH.
duction ? "
From Mr. W. B.. RICHMOND, A.R.A.
From Sir FREDERIC LEIGHTON, Bart., P.R.A.
DEAR SIR,--I will confine myself on this occa- DEAR SIR,—You have asked me a question, and
sion to saying that photography may be of great use I am pleased to answer it.
or the reverse to an artist, according as it is used Photography has been, no doubt, a medium of
with or without judgment and intelligence. I am instruction and benefit to painters as well as to the
afraid you will consider this very vague, but in public.
It has given chances to untravelled individuals
reality it sums up the whole question. — Yours
faithfully, FRED. LEIGHTON. of seeing, and in a measure of possessing, the
masterpieces of the world in all that relates to art.
7 HOLLAND PARK ROAD, W.
It is therefore curious that with such opportu-
From Mr. LAURENCE ALMA TADEMA, R.A.
nities, the general level of taste should not have
SIR,—I am convinced that the camera has had improved. Perhaps the old adage of familiarity
a most healthy and useful influence upon art. It breeding contempt may be still only too true.
is of the greatest use to painters.—Yours faithfully, If photography reproduced for us only the best,
L. ALMA TADEMA. we should indeed exist in Utopia !
17 GROVE END ROAD, N.W. As it is, photography reproduces everything,
From Sir JOHN EVERETT MILLAIS, Bart., R.A. good, bad, and indifferent.
So we are confounded by a plethora and a con-
SIR,—No doubt photography has been beneficial,
fusion. For those who know how to choose, what
and is often of value to the artist.—Faithfully yours,
to take and what to reject, light is an admirable
J. E. MILLAIS.
2 PALACE GATE, W. master ; for others it may prove to be a stumbling-
99