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Title: Stories Pictures Tell Book 7
Author: Carpenter, Flora L. (Flora Leona)
Language: English
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STORIES PICTURES TELL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decoration
STORIES
PICTURES TELL
BOOK SEVEN
By
FLORA L. CARPENTER
Instructor in drawing at Waite High School, Toledo, Ohio
Formerly supervisor of drawing, Bloomington, Illinois
Illustrated with Half Tones from
RAND McNALLY & COMPANY
CHICAGO NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright, 1918
BY RAND MCNALLY & CO.
[Illustration]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CONTENTS
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
PAGE
“The Fighting Téméraire” _Turner_ 1
“Joan of Arc” _Lepage_ 11
NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, AND JANUARY
“The Syndics of the Cloth _Rembrandt_ 23
Hall”
“The Last Supper” _Da Vinci_ 33
FEBRUARY AND MARCH
“Alexander and Diogenes” _Landseer_ 45
“Rubens’s Sons” _Rubens_ 59
APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE
“Song of the Lark” _Breton_ 69
“Beata Beatrix” _Rossetti_ 77
Review of Pictures and Artists
Studied
_The Suggestions to Teachers_ 93
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PREFACE
Art supervisors in the public schools assign picture-study work in each
grade, recommending the study of certain pictures by well-known masters.
As Supervisor of Drawing I found that the children enjoyed this work but
that the teachers felt incompetent to conduct the lessons as they lacked
time to look up the subject and to gather adequate material. Recourse to
a great many books was necessary and often while much information could
usually be found about the artist, very little was available about his
pictures.
Hence I began collecting information about the pictures and preparing
the lessons for the teachers just as I would give them myself to pupils
of their grade.
My plan does not include many pictures during the year, as this is to be
only a part of the art work and is not intended to take the place of
drawing.
The lessons in this grade may be used for the usual drawing period of
from twenty to thirty minutes, and have been successfully given in that
time. However, the most satisfactory way of using the books is as
supplementary readers, thus permitting each child to study the pictures
and read the stories himself.
FLORA L. CARPENTER
------------------------------------------------------------------------
STORIES
PICTURES TELL
[Illustration]
THE FIGHTING TÉMÉRAIRE
=Questions to arouse interest.= What is represented in this picture?
Which boat is the _Téméraire_? What smaller boat is towing it? Why do
you think it needs to be towed? What is the time of day? What makes you
think so? Is the ship moving or stationary? Why does it float so high in
the water? What other boats can you see in this picture? What can you
see in the background? What is the condition of the water? What kind of
a feeling does this picture give you? Why do you like the picture?
=Original Picture=: National Gallery, London, England.
=Artist=: Joseph Mallord William Turner.
=Birthplace=: London, England.
=Dates=: Born, 1775; died, 1851.
=The story of the picture.= One evening when the artist, Mr. Turner, and
a party of friends were sailing down the river Thames in London, there
suddenly loomed before their astonished gaze the dark hull of the famous
ship called the _Téméraire_. They had heard and read of the many great
victories won by this noble vessel, and the glory it had brought to
England. Its name Téméraire means “the one who dares.” Now its days of
usefulness were over, and it was being towed to its last place of anchor
to be broken up.
At first they gazed in silence, for it was a sad and solemn sight to
watch this feeble old boat creeping along like a disabled soldier, its
former glories fading like the setting sun. The silence was broken by
the exclamation of one of the young men, “Ah, what a subject for a
picture!”
And yet we must remember that at the time Turner painted this picture it
was considered just as commonplace and uninteresting to paint a sailing
vessel as it would be for our artists to paint a bicycle or a wagon.
But Turner painted something more than a picture of a boat. He has made
us feel not only the sadness in this parting scene but also all the
glories of the splendid victories won in former days. Again we recall
the Battle of the Nile, when the English commander, Lord Nelson, won the
victory over Napoleon’s fleet and captured the _Téméraire_ from the
French. We remember how Nelson, then a young man but having already lost
an arm and an eye in battle, was put in command of the English fleet and
sent against the French; how after a severe storm the two fleets, going
in opposite directions, passed each other in the fog, Nelson reaching
Italy and Napoleon landing in Egypt. Then the older naval officers in
England, who thought they should have been appointed to this important
command, said all they could about the folly of sending so young a man
as Nelson, and told how much better they could have done. So the people
were dissatisfied and finally the order for extra supplies and
provisions was countermanded just as Nelson heard where Napoleon was and
wanted to start out. Then Lady Hamilton, the wife of the English
minister to Italy, used her influence in his behalf, and the provisions
were furnished secretly. We do not care to dwell long on that fierce
Battle of the Nile, which began after six o’clock in the evening and
lasted all night. Only the flashes of the guns told the positions of the
different boats until the burning of the French flagship made a more
terrible illumination. It was a great victory for the English.
For forty years after this the _Téméraire_ remained in active service.
It took part in the famous victory at the Battle of Trafalgar; it was
the second ship in line, and the first to catch Nelson’s well-known
words, “England expects that every man will do his duty.” Many lives
were lost in this battle, among them that of the great commander.
At length the good old ship was considered unfit for active service.
Then for several years it was used as a training ship for cadets. Now,
no longer fit for that either, it was to be broken up for lumber. At the
time when the _Téméraire_ was captured all war vessels used sails, but
less than twenty-five years later they began to use steam. That, too,
was a reason why the _Téméraire_ was to be destroyed.
To Turner, who was born near the river Thames and grew up among boats
and sailors, the sight of this old boat made a strong appeal, not only
because he was an artist, but because he was also a patriotic Englishman
full of pride in the ship’s great victories.
The setting sun casts a parting glow upon the great, empty vessel as it
stands high out of the water. The sky is ablaze with rosy light, which
is reflected in the quiet surface of the Thames, but our eyes are drawn
at once to the great _Téméraire_. We glance at the long, dark shadows
and reflections of the two vessels, but soon find our eyes wandering to
the brilliantly lighted masts, to the gorgeous sunset sky, and back
again to the proud old boat. In the dark smoke of the tug there is a
touch of brilliant red.
The small boats scattered here and there help to bring out the distance
from that faraway shore so unconscious of the passing of the great ship.
At least three fourths of the picture is sky.
All of Turner’s first paintings were in tones of blues and grays, so
soft and delicate they were often indistinct. It was not until after he
had traveled through Italy, and spent many days in Venice, where all is
brilliant color, that he began to make his pictures blaze with color. He
had completely mastered the pale shades, so it needed but a touch of
brilliant color here and there to make his whole picture glow. In “The
Fighting Téméraire” more than half the picture is painted in the soft
gray colors of dusk, but the sunset and the touch of red in the smoke of
the tug seem to set the whole picture aflame. A gentleman once said to
Turner, after looking at this picture, “I never saw a sunset like that.”
Turner replied, “No, but don’t you wish you could?”
In Turner’s day water colors were very popular, and Turner painted a
great many of them. His water colors are much better preserved than his
oil paintings. The “Téméraire” was painted in oils. The sky has faded
considerably in the original picture, and others of his oil paintings
have become indistinct. It is believed that this is because he so often
used poor materials.
Turner himself considered this picture, “The Fighting Téméraire Tugged
to Her Last Berth to be Broken Up,” as he called it, his best work, and
bequeathed it to the National Gallery in London, refusing to sell it for
any price.
You will remember that later, when America proposed a similar fate for
our battleship, _Constitution_, the people raised a protest and the plan
was given up. It was then that Holmes wrote his famous “Old Ironsides,”
which might have applied equally well to the _Téméraire_.
“Oh, better that her shattered hulk
Should sink beneath the wave;
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
And there should be her grave.
Nail to the mast her holy flag,
Set every threadbare sail,
And give her to the god of storms,
The lightning and the gale!”
=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= How did the artist
happen to see this ship? What does the name “Téméraire” mean? For what
was this vessel famous? Tell about Lord Nelson and the Battle of the
Nile. From whom did he capture the _Téméraire_? When was this battle
fought? Tell about the Battle of Trafalgar. What saying of Nelson’s has
become famous? Who won the victory? What became of the _Téméraire_ then?
Why was it now to be broken to pieces? Before the use of steam, how were
vessels propelled? How was the _Téméraire_ propelled? To what did Turner
compare this old ship? Why was it a sad sight to him? What colors did he
use in this picture? How did the artist consider this painting? To whom
did he leave it? Why did Americans object when it was proposed that the
battleship _Constitution_ be broken up?
=To the Teacher=: A description of the picture may be prepared by a
pupil and given orally to the class. This may be followed by a written
description of the picture and a short biography of the artist, as a
class exercise in connection with the English composition work.
There’s a far bell ringing
At the setting of the sun,
And a phantom voice is singing
Of the great days done.
There’s a far bell ringing,
And a phantom voice is singing,
To the great days done.
Now, the sunset breezes shiver
Téméraire! Téméraire!
And she’s fading down the river,
Téméraire! Téméraire!
Now the sunset breezes shiver,
And she’s fading down the river,
But in England’s song forever
She’s the “Fighting Téméraire.”
—_Henry Newbolt_
=The story of the artist.= Joseph Mallord William Turner was born,
lived, and died in London. His father was a jolly little barber who
curled wigs and dressed the hair of English dandies, as did all the
barbers in those days. He was very popular because he was so
good-natured and full of fun. He was also very ambitious for his little
son, who had been left to his care by the death of the mother.
The story is told that one day, when Joseph was six years old, his
father was called to the home of a wealthy patron, and, having no one
with whom to leave the child, he took the boy with him. At the patron’s
home the little boy climbed up into a big chair and waited patiently,
but it seemed a very long time indeed before his father could satisfy
the exacting customer. Finally the boy became interested in studying a
carved lion on a silver tray lying on the table near by. He studied this
lion so carefully that when they reached home, and while his father was
preparing their supper, he drew a lion in full action, and brought the
drawing to show his father. It was decided then and there that Joseph
should be an artist. The father also wished that his son might receive
an education. But Turner did not learn much at school, for as soon as
the boys and girls found he could draw wonderful pictures they offered
to do his sums for him and helped him with his lessons while he drew
pictures for them in return.
The jolly little barber was so pleased with his son’s drawings that he
put them up in his shop. His patrons began to inquire about the little
artist, and when the proud father put a price mark on the drawings, they
were soon sold. Later, Turner was apprenticed to an architect to learn
architectural drawing, but he was not successful. He did not seem to be
able to understand the theory of perspective or even the first steps in
geometry. However, he finally must have mastered these subjects, for
some years later he became Professor of Perspective at the Royal
Academy.
Later in life Turner traveled in France, Germany, and Italy, and it was
then he began to use those brilliant colors which we always associate
with his work. Turner rarely sold any of his paintings. He called them
his “children,” and was unwilling to part with them. But his engravings
and illustrations made him very wealthy.
Of Turner’s many pictures of the sea, perhaps the best known is “The
Slave Ship.” Other famous pictures by Turner are “Rain, Steam, and
Speed, the Great Western Railway,” “Steamer off Harbour’s Mouth Making
Signals,” “Approach to Venice,” “Ulysses Deriding Polyphemus,” “Sun
Rising in a Mist,” and “Shade and Darkness—The Evening of the Deluge.”
=Questions about the artist.= Where was the artist born? What did his
father do for a living? How did Turner happen to draw his first picture?
Why did he not learn much at school? What did his father do with his
drawings? What subject proved difficult for the boy artist to learn? Was
he ever able to master it? Where did Turner travel? What colors did he
use in his paintings? Why would he not sell his pictures? How did he
become wealthy?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]
JOAN OF ARC
=Questions to arouse interest.= What is represented in this picture?
Where is it supposed to be? What is the girl doing? How many figures can
you see faintly suggested against the trees and the house? Why do you
think they are not real like the girl? What can you see in the distance?
What can you tell about Joan of Arc? Where does she seem to be looking?
How is she dressed? What is there about her that makes you think she is
used to hard work? that she is serious and thoughtful? that she must be
very much in earnest? that she is forgetful of self? Where does the
light in the picture seem to come from?
=Original Picture=: Metropolitan Art Museum, New York City.
=Artist=: Jules Bastien-Lepage (bȧs´ tyaN´-lẽ päzh´).
=Birthplace=: Damvillers, France.
=Dates=: Born, 1848; died, 1884.
=The story of the picture.= Far away among the wild hills of France, in
the village of Domremy, lived Joan of Arc, the “Maid of Orleans.” Her
father was a small farmer, and all her people were working people.
Joan’s life was not an idle one, for we are told that she was an expert
at sewing and spinning, that she tended the sheep and cattle, and rode
the horses to and from the watering places. But she could neither read
nor write, as she had received no education. When she wished to send a
letter she would dictate it to some one who could write, and then make
the mark of a cross at the top. As she was of an intensely religious
nature, she often wandered off by herself and remained in prayer for
hours, sometimes in the fields or the great forest near by, and
sometimes in the village church.
About this time France was frequently invaded by the English, and even
the small village in which Joan lived had been entered and plundered.
There had been so many intermarriages between the royal houses of France
and England that it was doubtful who was the rightful heir to the
throne. France was divided into two factions, yet all agreed in their
hatred of the English who had taken possession of the northern part of
the country. Worst of all, the queen mother Isabella supported the
claims of her grandson, an Englishman, against those of her own son,
Charles, the French prince.
This agreed with an old prophecy known to the country people, that
France should be lost by a woman and saved by a woman. The queen,
Isabella, who finally secured the crown for her English grandson, was
regarded as the woman who lost France; and later it became generally
believed that Joan of Arc was the woman who saved France.
Joan prayed constantly for the deliverance of her country from the
English. At last one day she told her father that she had seen an
unearthly light and heard a voice telling her that she was to go and
help the French prince. Again the vision appeared, and this time she
said she had seen St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret, who told
her that she was appointed by heaven to go to the aid of Prince Charles.
Her father tried to laugh her out of her “fancy,” as he called it, and
did all he could to dissuade her, but Joan was resolute and declared she
must go.
The village people were very superstitious, and when they heard of
Joan’s wonderful visions they were immediately convinced. An uncle of
Joan’s, who was a wheelwright and cartmaker, offered to take her to a
high nobleman who, according to the vision, should bring her before the
prince. This nobleman laughed at her, but later on became sufficiently
convinced to give her a horse, a suit of armor, and two guards to escort
her to Prince Charles.
After traveling eleven days through a wild country, constantly on the
watch for the enemy, she finally reached Chinon, where Charles was
staying. Although he was dressed exactly like the men about him, Joan
picked him out immediately, and told him she had been sent by heaven to
conquer his enemies and see him crowned king at Rheims. She also told
him several things supposed to be secret, known only to himself, and so
she was able to gain his confidence.
She told him too that in the Cathedral of St. Catherine, some distance
away, he would find an old sword, marked on the blade with five crosses,
which the vision had told her she should wear. No one had ever heard of
this old sword, and it seemed very wonderful that Joan should know about
it; but it was found in the cathedral just as she had said.
Charles then asked the opinion of all the wise men about him, and all
agreed that Joan was inspired by heaven. This put new life into the
French soldiers, but discouraged the English, who thought Joan was a
witch.
And then it was that Joan rode on to the Siege of Orleans in which, as
we know, the French were victorious. She rode on a beautiful white war
horse, her armor glittering so in the sun that she could be seen for a
great distance, and she carried a white flag. Twice she was wounded
during the terrible battle which followed, but each time she was soon up
and at the head of the French again, the English fleeing before them.
We know how the French fought their way to Rheims, where Charles VII was
crowned; and how Joan then declared her work completed and begged to be
allowed to return to her home; but King Charles would not consent. We do
not like to think of how this weak king did nothing to help her when she
was finally taken prisoner and sold by the Duke of Burgundy to the
English, who burned her at the stake as a heretic and witch. It was not
until ten years later that Charles VII publicly recognized the service
she had done, and declared her “a martyr to her religion, her country,
and her king.”
In the picture we see the “Maid of Orleans” listening to the voices. As
she sat in the shade of the great apple tree winding yarn, she had
suddenly heard voices, and then a vision of St. Michael, St. Margaret,
and St. Catherine, the saints to whom she had prayed so often in the
little church, appeared before her. She trembled, and rising, walked
forward. Now, leaning against a tree, she gazes at the vision. She
imagines herself clad in armor and presented with a sword by the saints,
who tell her that heaven commands her to free France from the English.
With its fruit trees, flowers, and vegetables, the French garden
represented in the picture was painted from nature. In the distance we
see a suggestion of the great forest in which Joan used to wander in
solitude and prayer. A simple peasant girl, poorly dressed, there is
little about her to please or attract us until we look at the eyes. Then
we begin to understand why this picture is considered a masterpiece.
Those great, far-seeing, melancholy eyes seem to look far beyond us, and
their ecstatic gaze inspires us with some of that same confidence in her
which so possessed her soldiers.
The vision which so inspired Joan is partly visible to us amid the
tangle of the trees and shrubbery. The figures of the three saints
silhouetted against the rude peasant hut add to the confusing details of
the background, and yet by them our eyes are led back to the one restful
part of the picture—Joan herself. She is not beautiful, only earnest and
good, and we feel a great pity for this girl who is so soon to suffer a
dreadful fate for an ungrateful king and people.
The sunlight falls full upon her face and outstretched arm. The curve of
this arm harmonizes with the branches of the trees above, and her
upright figure with the straight tree trunks. Her firm chin tells us
something of the determination and courage which carried her through to
the end.
We are told that she had a deep, strong voice which was capable of great
sweetness, and that her honesty and goodness compelled the respect of
even the rudest soldiers.
=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= Who was Joan of
Arc? Why was she called “The Maid of Orleans”? Tell something of her
life. In what country did she live? What were her duties? What education
had she received? What was her nature? For what did she pray constantly?
What vision did she have? What did her father say? How did the village
people feel about it? Who helped her go to Prince Charles? How did the
nobleman receive her at first? What were some of the difficulties of her
journey? What did she do that made Prince Charles believe in her? How
did Joan’s coming affect the French soldiers? the English soldiers? Tell
about the Siege of Orleans. When did Joan consider her work done? Why
would not King Charles VII let her go home? What became of Joan? What
has the artist represented Joan as doing in this picture? What vision
appeared to her? What does she lean against? What else can you see in
this garden? How does the tangled, somewhat confusing background bring
out the figure of Joan? What kind of a voice had Joan? Why did all the
soldiers respect her?
=To the Teacher=: Different pupils may be asked to study this lesson
under the following topics:
I. Joan of Arc as Represented in History.
II. Joan of Arc as Represented in This Picture.
III. This Picture as True to History.
IV. This Picture as a Composition.
V. The Artist.
=The story of the artist.= Jules Bastien-Lepage was born in Damvillers,
France. His parents were people of means, and as his father was an
artist he received his first art instructions from him. As a young man
Jules held a position in the post office, and his duties there kept him
busy every morning. But all his afternoons were devoted to study under
an artist who lived near by.
Then during the Franco-Prussian war he joined the army in the defense of
Paris. He was never very strong, and the constant exposure and hardships
forced him to return home on sick leave; that was the end of his
experience as a soldier. His health somewhat recovered, he began
painting in earnest. He desired above all things to be a great
historical painter and, if possible, to paint these pictures at the very
places where the historical events occurred.
He had a very fine studio fitted up on the second floor at home, but
most of his painting was done out of doors.
We cannot read much of his life without finding some mention of his
grandfather, for it was the old man’s delight to work or sit beside his
grandson while the young man was painting. The grandfather is usually
described as wearing a brown skull cap and spectacles, and carrying his
snuffbox and large checked handkerchief much in evidence. He took care
of their garden and orchard, and one of the very first pictures Lepage
painted that caused most favorable comment was a portrait of his
grandfather in a corner of the garden. This picture, together with
another of a young peasant girl, exhibited at the same time, marked the
beginning of the artist’s popularity.
Born in the same country as Millet and like him understanding the
religious enthusiasm and the superstitions of the peasants, we are not
surprised that he should love to paint the French peasant and that Joan
of Arc’s life and history should have appealed to him so strongly. This
subject had been a favorite theme for painters for several hundred
years, and most of the artists had represented Joan as a saint or as a
maid of great beauty. Lepage, however, represented her as a simple
peasant girl, dressed as such, and showing evidence in her face and her
coarse hands of the rough farm work she had been doing.
This painting of Joan of Arc is considered the artist’s masterpiece.
Another noted picture by him is “The Hay Makers.”
Bastien-Lepage became very popular indeed, and the people vied with each
other to obtain his paintings and to get an opportunity to work in his
studio. He worked very hard, and this, with the excitement of so much
publicity, finally wore him out. He died at the age of thirty-six years.
=Questions about the artist.= Who painted this picture, and where was he
born? Where is the original painting? Tell about Jules Bastien-Lepage
and his early training. Why did he not remain in the army? What kind of
a painter did he most desire to be? Where did he usually paint? Who went
with him? Describe the old grandfather. What picture marked the
beginning of the artist’s popularity? Why did the life of Joan of Arc
appeal to him so strongly? In what way did his representation of Joan
differ from that of other artists?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]
THE SYNDICS OF THE CLOTH HALL
=Questions to arouse interest.= What are these men doing? How are they
dressed? What makes you think some one has interrupted them? At whom are
they looking? Why do you suppose the one syndic has risen? Why do you
think the man standing behind the others wears no hat? What do you think
his duties were? Which man looks the oldest? the youngest? How has the
artist avoided a stiff arrangement of the figures in this painting?
=Original Picture=: Ryks Museum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
=Artist=: Rembrandt van Rijn (rĕm´ bränt vän rīn´).
=Birthplace=: Leiden, the Netherlands.
=Dates=: Born, 1606; died, 1669.
=The story of the picture.= This picture represents the syndics of the
Cloth Merchants’ Guild, in a room of their Guild House, busy going over
their accounts. In these days of great corporations and societies of all
kinds, it is easy for us to understand what a Cloth Merchants’ Guild
might be.
History tells us that as far back as the time of the Romans there were
what were called merchants’ corporations or guilds organized for mutual
aid and protection. Among the very first known was a fishermen’s guild,
in which all the members met and decided the rights of the various
members to use the water front, and also, no doubt, planned to take away
the privilege from all who were not members.
In the Netherlands the guilds were many and very influential. Besides
the general officers usually appointed by the king, there were a certain
number of officers whom the members themselves chose, called masters,
deans, wardens, or syndics. It was the duty of these syndics to visit
the workshops and salesrooms of all members of the guild, at all hours,
to see that the rules were enforced. They were also expected to examine
candidates for apprenticeship and mastership. Each guild had its own
costume or uniform. Even to this day a remnant of these old customs
remains, and in England every twenty years a few of the cities
celebrate, by a very important and imposing parade, what is known as
“guild day.” Many cities still have the old Guild Houses where these
meetings were held, and there is not a cathedral or church building of
any importance in the Netherlands or Belgium in which some great event
connected with these guilds is not represented by either a painting or a
sculptured monument. And so it is little wonder that Rembrandt should
paint such a picture as this.
It is as if we opened the door suddenly upon the syndics, who look up to
see what has disturbed them. One man has half risen from his chair. All
five are dressed in the uniform of the guild—black coats, broad white
collars, and large black felt hats. Each figure is a complete portrait
in itself and bears, it is said, a speaking likeness to the syndic
painted.
Some time before this, Rembrandt had had an unfortunate experience. He
had painted a wonderful picture called the “Night Watch.” But in that
great painting he had allowed his feelings as an artist, and his love of
a fine composition, to make him forget man’s vanity. So, although a
great many prominent men had posed for this picture, he had neglected to
paint them all in conspicuous positions. Those upon whom the bright
light fell were delighted with the picture, but the majority, who were
in the shadow, did not like it at all and so refused to pay any money
toward buying it. The truth is they had each expected a good portrait,
and instead he had painted a masterpiece in composition.
So in this later picture he was careful to make a good likeness of each
of the syndics, as well as to make an interesting composition.
These five syndics are gathered around a table covered with a rich
oriental cloth woven on a dark red ground. The plain paneled walls of
the room are brown, filling the picture with that rich golden-brown tone
for which Rembrandt is famous and which gives to his pictures their
mysterious and peculiar charm.
It is said that the other portraits in the Ryks Museum, Amsterdam, where
this picture is hung, look dull and lifeless beside it. And, strange to
say, it was painted when Rembrandt was fast losing his eyesight and
when, too, he was in great financial difficulties. The order for the
picture was given him by an old friend who thought first of his need,
but later of his great genius. It was Rembrandt’s last important order
before his death in 1669.
Although these men are looking toward us, no two are in exactly the same
position. The light from the window falls full on the face of each
syndic; even the servant is not placed in the shadow. Suppose these men
had been represented as of exactly the same height; that would have
given us a straight horizontal line across the picture even straighter
than that of the wainscoting above, which is broken by the corner of the
room. Thus we would have had a stiff, uninteresting arrangement.
Art students from all over the world go to the Art Museum to study and
copy parts of this wonderful painting. Joseph Israels tells us he made a
copy of his favorite figure, which was “the man in the left-hand corner
with the soft gray hair under the steeple hat.”
=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= Where are these
men? Why have they met here? What is their trade? For what purpose were
the guilds formed? Tell about the first guilds and their purpose. In
what country were these guilds most popular? Where do they still exist?
Who were the syndics? What were some of their duties? What was the place
called where they met? What do we have in our country in the place of
syndics and guilds? Of what benefit are they? How are the syndics in
this picture dressed? At whom are they looking? What can you say of the
man standing behind the syndics? Which syndic seems to be the most
important? What unpleasant experience had the artist had that influenced
him in painting this picture? In what ways do the positions of the six
men differ? What can you say of the composition of this picture? the
light and shade? What qualities of greatness do you find in this
picture? How did Rembrandt happen to paint it? What colors did he use?
Where is the original painting?
=The story of the artist.= Rembrandt was born in Leiden, the
Netherlands, in 1606. In those days, when there were no newspapers and
no one cared to set down the daily events in the lives of great men, it
was only what the man actually accomplished that was recorded. So we
know very little of the early life of Rembrandt. Some authorities
declare he was born in a windmill, but most agree that as his father was
a prosperous miller, the son was no doubt born in a very comfortable if
not elegant home. However that may be, we know that Rembrandt spent many
happy hours with his brothers and sisters high up in this windmill, and
here it is believed he first studied the effect of light and shade on
objects.
From the small window in the tiny room at the top of the mill little
light could be expected, and as he did much of his painting here his
studies were mostly in shadow. Often he must have looked from this
little window down upon the quaint city of Leiden, built upon its ninety
islands joined by at least a hundred and fifty bridges; upon its wide
streets, rose-bordered canals, houses built in rows, each with its own
windmill, and the picturesque rows of trees. The largest building of all
was the University, for which Leiden is still famous. Rembrandt attended
this university, we are told, and as he looked at it he must have
recalled its history and how bravely the Dutch people fought when the
Spanish army tried to capture the city—how they braved famine and
pestilence as they awaited the arrival of Prince William of Orange. As a
reward for their courage, William offered his people either a great gift
of gold or a university; and, although the people needed the money to
rebuild their houses, they chose the university.
Rembrandt is one of the great artists who is known to the world by his
first name. His father’s name was Gerrit Harmens and he was called
Harmens van Rijn (by the Rhine). According to a custom of those days the
name frequently told where the man lived. His son was called Rembrandt
Harmenszoon van Rijn, meaning Rembrandt, son of Harmens by the Rhine.
Rembrandt’s great love for good pictures, and his desire to draw, caused
his parents to send him to an artist to study. He studied with this
teacher at home for three years. Then he spent several months in
Amsterdam studying, but finally decided that nature should be his
teacher. He was then only sixteen years old, but he fitted up the little
room in the mill as a studio, and here he continued his study. He
painted his father, his mother, and his brothers and sisters many times.
Then he painted his own portrait by looking in a mirror, and, by
assuming various attitudes and different expressions, he received much
valuable practice which, later on, helped him greatly.
His first great work was a portrait of his mother, painted when he was
twenty-three years old. Two years later he went to Amsterdam, where his
pictures brought large prices and pupils flocked to him from all parts
of Europe. Once he painted a window with a servant standing near it that
was so real it deceived every one.
About this time he married the beautiful Saskia, whose picture he has
painted so many times. His home was furnished extravagantly, and nothing
was too good to give Saskia.
There are three great paintings by Rembrandt which mark three epochs in
his life. The first was “The Anatomy Lesson,” painted for Doctor Tulp,
representing the Professor of Anatomy lecturing to his class. It is said
that Rembrandt hid behind a curtain and, without their knowledge,
observed the class during several lessons that he might secure natural
expressions and positions. This picture was painted shortly after his
marriage to Saskia, and through it he became famous. It marks the
beginning of the happiest part of his life.
The second great painting was the “Night Watch,” which was not
appreciated because he failed to give all the figures equal prominence.
This picture marks the beginning of his fall from favor, and it was
about this time that his wife, Saskia, died.
Crushed by both sorrow and misfortune, Rembrandt still continued to
paint. His choice of subjects, however, changed noticeably. He now
painted more of the sorrow, poverty, and distress of life. His house,
with all its beautiful furnishings, was sold.
Then came his great painting, “The Syndics of the Cloth Hall,” in which
he seems to have concentrated all his wonderful genius. But, masterpiece
that it is, the picture won no popularity, and so the last years of
Rembrandt’s life were spent in increasing poverty and sadness.
Other noted pictures by Rembrandt are: “Christ Blessing Little
Children,” “Sacrifice of Abraham,” “Portrait of an Old Woman,” “The
Mill,” “Saskia,” and “Supper at Emmaus.”
=Questions about the artist.= Who painted this picture? Why was he so
named? Why do we know so little about him? Where is it believed that
Rembrandt first studied light and shade? What other training did he
have? How did he paint his own portrait? What was his first great
painting? Tell something which illustrates how well he could paint. Was
the greatness of “The Syndics of the Cloth Hall” appreciated when it
appeared?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]
THE LAST SUPPER
=Questions to arouse interest.= What does this picture represent? Where
do the figures seem to be? Why do you suppose the artist placed all his
figures on one side of the table? What makes you think the disciples are
excited? How many do not look excited? Which is the central figure? How
is our attention directed toward the central figure? How does the
position of the hands aid in this? Which one is Judas? Why do you think
so? Which one is John? What expressions do you see upon the different
faces?
=Original Picture=: Convent Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy.
=Artist=: Leonardo da Vinci (lā´ō när´dō dä vēn´chē).
=Birthplace=: Near Florence, Italy.
=Dates=: Born, 1452; died, 1519.
=The story of the picture.= Beatrice, the good and beautiful wife of the
Duke of Milan, had visited most of the many convents in Italy, but her
favorite among them all was the Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. When
the great dining room of this beautiful convent was being finished, the
monks felt that it lacked nothing except a suitable decoration for the
end wall; so they appealed to the duke and his wife for at least one
fine painting by the most popular artist of the time, Leonardo da Vinci.
And so it came about that Leonardo began this great work, which was to
be his masterpiece. It was so placed that the monks seated at their
meals could see the long table as if it were in their own room and but
slightly raised above the rest.
Many stories are told of the artist while working on this great
painting. Often he worked from early morning until dusk, quite
unconscious of the flight of time, of his meals, or of the hushed voices
of the monks and visitors who came to watch him paint. Then again he
would not paint for several days, but would sit for hours quietly
studying his painting. The prior of the monastery began to think he
would never finish the picture, and at last he appealed to the duke to
speak to Leonardo about it. The artist told the duke that while he sat
thinking he was doing his best work, for it was necessary for him to
have a complete picture in his mind before he could paint one. Of course
he was told to do it in his own way. He completed the painting in two
years, which was an unusually short time for so great a masterpiece,
when we consider how much study was necessary, and that the figures were
larger than life. Leonardo also had other work which had to be done.
Mr. William Wetmore Story has given us the prior’s complaint to the duke
in verse, from which we have selected these extracts:
“’Tis twenty months since first upon the wall
This Leonardo smoothed his plaster; then
He spent two months ere he began to scrawl
His figures, which were scarcely outlined, when,
Seized by some mad whim, he erased them all.
* * * * * * * *
“Ah! there he is now—Would your Highness look
Behind that pillar in the farthest nook?
That is his velvet cap and flowing robe.
See how he pulls his beard, as up and down
He seems to count the stones he treads upon!
’T would irk the patience of the good man Job
To see him idling thus his time away,
As if our Lord and Judas were both done,
And there were naught to do but muse and stray
Along the cloisters. May I dare to pray
Your Highness would vouchsafe one word to say;
For when I speak he only answers me,
‘I am not idle, though I seem to be.’
* * * * * * * *
“‘Not idle! Well, I know not what you do!
You do not paint our picture, that I see.’
To which he said, “A picture is not wrought
By hands alone, good Padre, but by thought.
In the interior life it first must start,
And grow to form and color in the soul;
While I seem idle, then my soul creates;
While I am painting, then my hand translates.’”
It is said that Leonardo threatened to paint the face of the complaining
prior as the Judas in his picture, but we know that he did not.
He has chosen for his subject the moment following the words of Christ
to his disciples: “One of you shall betray me.” On their faces he has
shown the surprise, consternation, and distress which would naturally
follow the realization that there is a traitor among them.
We recognize at once the calm, beautiful face of the figure in the
center as that of the Christ. Leonardo spent more time on this head than
on any other part of the picture. He made a great many sketches, and in
each he tried to represent Christ as looking at us, but all his efforts
failed to satisfy him. At last he consulted a friend, who advised him to
give up trying to paint the expression of the eyes, but to represent
Christ looking down; and this seems to have been the last touch needed
to make the face perfect.
On both sides we see the disciples in four groups of three each. If we
study any one of these groups we will find it complete in itself, yet
all four groups are held together by the expression on the faces and
especially by the position of the hands. So wonderfully have the hands
been painted that some critics have spoken of this picture as “a study
of hands.”
If we begin at the left-hand side of the picture we see Bartholomew
standing at the end. In his astonishment, he has risen so quickly that
his feet are still crossed as they were when he was seated. He looks
toward Christ as if he thought his ears must have deceived him.
Next to Bartholomew is James (the less), who reaches behind Andrew to
touch the arm of Peter and urge him to ask the meaning of it all.
Andrew’s uplifted hands express horror, while his face is turned
anxiously toward the Master. Peter is greatly excited, but feels that
John is the one to ask the question; so we see him leaning toward John,
his hand resting on John’s shoulder as he eagerly urges him to ask who
it is of whom Christ spoke. In his right hand Peter grasps his knife
ready to defend his Lord.
Between Peter and John we see the traitor Judas, vainly attempting to
appear innocent and unconcerned. As he leans forward, he clasps his
money bag tighter, but at the first sudden movement of alarm he has
overturned the salt upon the table. It is said that after the face of
the Christ, Leonardo found that of Judas the most difficult to paint. It
was hard to imagine a man so wicked.
The gentle, sorrowful face of John seated next to the Christ is in
strong contrast to the startled, guilty look on the dark face of Judas.
To the right of the Master, we see James (the great), whose arms are
outstretched as he looks at the Master and eagerly asks, “Lord, is it
I?”
Just behind James is Thomas, with one finger lifted threateningly as if
he must know who the traitor is that he may cast him out at once.
Philip, standing beside James, places his hands on his heart as he says,
“Thou knowest, dear Lord, it is not I.” The three disciples at the end
of the table are in earnest conversation. Matthew points with his arms
to the Saviour as if explaining to the elder disciple, Simon, what has
just been said. His face asks a question and expresses wonder, while
that of Thaddeus, next to him, is worried and troubled. Simon holds his
hands out and looks appealingly to Christ for an explanation.
The table itself was like that used in the dining room of the convent;
even the tablecloth and china were the same. Three windows form a
background for the picture, and the middle one frames the face of the
Christ.
But the picture was painted in tempera upon damp walls, and it soon
began to fade and even to peel off. If it had not been for an Italian
who made an engraving of this picture shortly after it was finished, we
should have little idea of the real beauty of the original. At one time
the convent was used as a stable, and a door was cut right through the
middle and lower part of the picture. Naturally, in the course of time,
the picture lost most of its original splendor. Many attempts were made
to preserve it, but without success. Then, not many years ago, an artist
was found who succeeded in restoring the picture to some degree of
perfection.
The painting is twenty-eight feet long, and the figures are all larger
than life.
=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= Where is the
original painting? Why was this convent chosen? In what room is it? In
what way did it become a part of the furniture of the room? How long did
it take Leonardo to paint this picture? Why did the prior feel so
anxious? What reply did the artist make to him? What does the picture
represent? Which is the central figure? How is it made to appear the
most important? How are the disciples arranged? Which is John? Which is
Judas? What has Christ just said that causes such excitement? What
expressions do you see on the different faces? What can you say of the
composition of this picture? How do the hands of each disciple express
his feelings? What has become of this painting? About how large is it?
=To the Teacher=:
SUBJECTS FOR COMPOSITION
The Story Represented in This Picture.
How “The Last Supper” Was Painted.
The Composition of This Picture.
The Boyhood of Leonardo da Vinci.
Leonardo and His Pets.
Talents of Leonardo.
Manhood of Leonardo.
=The story of the artist.= Leonardo da Vinci was born in the little
village called Vinci, about twenty miles from Florence, Italy. His
father was a country lawyer of considerable wealth.
Very little is known of Leonardo’s boyhood, except that he grew up on
his father’s estate and early displayed remarkable talents. He was
good-looking, strong, energetic, and an excellent student. He was
especially good in arithmetic, and liked to make up problems of his own
which even his teacher found interesting and difficult. Above all he
loved to wander out in the great forest near the palace and to tame
lizards, snakes, and many kinds of animals. Here he invented a lute upon
which he played wonderful music of his own composing. Then, too, he sang
his own songs and recited his own poems.
He loved to draw and paint because he could both represent the things he
loved and use his inventive genius as well. He seemed to be gifted along
so many lines, and was of such an inquiring mind, that it was difficult
for him to work long enough at one thing to finish it. We read of him as
musician, poet, inventor, scientist, philosopher, and last, but most
important to us—as artist.
When he was fifteen years old he made some sketches which were so very
clever that his father took them to a great artist, Verrocchio, who was
delighted with them and was glad to take Leonardo as his pupil. The
story is told that when Verrocchio was painting a large picture he asked
Leonardo to paint one of the angels in the background. The boy spent
much time and study on this work, and finally succeeded in painting an
angel which was so beautiful that the rest of the picture seemed
commonplace. It is said that Verrocchio felt very sad at the thought
that a mere boy could surpass him, and declared he would paint no more
pictures, but would devote his life to design and sculpture.
One time one of the servants of the castle brought Leonardo’s father a
round piece of wood and asked him to have his son paint something on it
that would make it suitable for a shield, like the real shields that
hung in the castle hall. Leonardo wanted to surprise his father. So he
made a collection of all the lizards, snakes, bats, dragonflies, and
toads that he could find and painted a picture, in which he combined
their various parts, making a fearful dragon breathing out flame and
just ready to spring from the shield. Coming suddenly upon the shield on
his son’s easel, the father was indeed startled. Studying the picture
carefully, he declared it was far too valuable a present for the
servant; so another shield had to be painted and the first was sold at a
great price. No one knows what finally became of it.
Leonardo spent seven years with Verrocchio; then he opened a studio of
his own in Florence, Italy.
Later Pope Leo X invited him to Rome to paint for him, but most of his
work there was left unfinished. The story is told of how one day the
pope found him busily engaged in making a new kind of varnish with which
to finish his picture. “Alas,” said the pope, “this man will do nothing,
for he thinks of finishing his picture before he begins it.”
From Rome, Leonardo went to Milan, where, with the Duke of Milan as
patron, he painted his masterpiece, “The Last Supper.” He also made a
model for an equestrian statue which, though never executed, was
regarded as equal to anything the Greeks had ever done.
Leonardo da Vinci proved to be a great addition to the duke’s court; his
fine appearance and his many talents made him very popular indeed. He
played skillfully on a beautiful silver lyre and charmed the people with
his music and songs. He also helped the duke found and direct the
Academy at Milan, and gave lectures there on art and science. So his
time was divided, as usual, among his many interests.
When the duke was driven out of Milan by the new French king, Leonardo
spent several years in Florence, where he painted the famous “Mona
Lisa,” and other portraits. Then followed a few years of travel through
Italy. At the request of the French king, Francis I, Leonardo joined his
court in France, and there he spent the last years of his life, regarded
with great reverence and respect, and loved by all.
Among the other great pictures painted by Leonardo da Vinci are: “Mona
Lisa,” “The Christ,” “Madonna of the Rocks,” “St. Anne,” and “John the
Baptist.”
=Questions about the artist.= Tell what you can of the boyhood of
Leonardo da Vinci. What talents did he have? How did these sometimes
prevent his completing his work? Tell the legend about the angel he
painted for Verrocchio; the wooden shield. What did the pope say of
Leonardo? why? Where was “The Last Supper” painted? In what way was
Leonardo an addition to the duke’s court? How was Leonardo regarded as a
sculptor? What are some of his most famous paintings?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]
ALEXANDER AND DIOGENES
=Questions to arouse interest.= Where are these dogs? Which one seems at
home? In what is he lying? What makes you think the sun is shining
brightly? Which dog looks the best cared for? How does he seem to feel
toward the first dog? To which class do the other dogs in the picture
belong? What seems to be their attitude toward the two principal dogs?
Which dog looks the proudest? the most content? the vainest? What
different kinds of dogs are represented in this picture? How many know
the story about Alexander and Diogenes? Why was this picture so named?
=Original Picture=: National Gallery, London, England
=Artist=: Sir Edwin Landseer (lănd´sēr).
=Birthplace=: London, England.
=Dates=: Born, 1802; died, 1873.
=The story of the picture.= Into the streets of Athens, bright with the
life and brilliant colors of its gayly dressed people, came the uncouth
figure of the philosopher Diogenes, ridiculing all that the Athenian
held most dear. On his head he carried the tub in which he ate and
slept. At first he also carried a cup, but after seeing a boy drink from
the hollow of his hand, he broke his cup on the pavement, preferring the
“simpler way.” His ugly, cynical face, awkward figure, bare feet, and
ragged clothing made him an object of astonishment and ridicule.
Independent, surly, and ill-natured, he continued to be an outcast
throughout his long life. He taught in the streets as did many of the
philosophers in those days, and spoke so plainly and so contemptuously
of the life of the people that but for his ready wit he must have been
driven out of the city. He himself cared nothing for abuse and insult,
and went so far in showing his contempt for pride in others that he
acquired the same fault himself, and grew proud of his contempt for
pride. He loved to show the contempt he felt for all the little
courtesies of polite society.
The story is told that Diogenes came, uninvited and unannounced, to a
dinner which Plato, a great philosopher, was giving to a select number
of his friends, and, rubbing his dirty feet on the rich carpets, called
out, “Thus I trample on the pride of Plato.” To which that philosopher
quickly retorted, “But with greater pride, O Diogenes.”
One day he went about the streets carrying a lantern, though the sun was
shining brightly. He seemed to be looking earnestly for something, and
when asked what he was searching for he replied, “I am searching for an
honest man.”
Plato gave lectures to his pupils in the Academic Gardens, and one day
Diogenes was present. Plato defined man as “a two-legged animal without
feathers.” Diogenes immediately seized a chicken and, having plucked its
feathers, he threw it among Plato’s pupils, declaring it to be “one of
Plato’s men.”
Once he was captured by pirates and sold as a slave, but even this did
not subdue him, for on being asked what he could do he declared he could
“govern men,” and urged the crier to ask, “Who wants to buy a master?”
The man who bought him set him free, and afterwards employed him to
teach his children. That is how Diogenes happened to be in Corinth when
Alexander the Great was passing that way. To that great Macedonian king,
who considered himself the “son of a god” and to whom all had knelt in
homage almost worship, the visit to Diogenes was something of a shock.
He found him in one of the poorer streets, seated in his tub, enjoying
the sun and utterly indifferent as to who his visitor might be.
Astonished, the king said, “I am Alexander.”
The answer came as proudly, “And I am Diogenes.”
Alexander then said, “Have you no favor to ask of me?”
“Yes,” Diogenes replied, “to get out of my sunlight.”
Far from being angry with him, Alexander seemed to respect and admire a
man strong enough to be indifferent to his presence, and said, “Were I
not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.”
It happened one day that the artist, Sir Edwin Landseer, passing along
one of the narrower streets of London, caught a glimpse of a dirty tramp
dog resting comfortably in an empty barrel and looking up with an impish
gaze at a well-cared-for dog. The well-kept dog was surveying the tramp
with looks of mingled haughtiness and annoyance because of his lack of
respect. Immediately the thought came to the artist that here were
another Alexander and Diogenes.
The well-fed and carefully cared-for pet, with his fine collar and
snow-white coat, sniffs with disgust at the dirt and poverty of the
tramp dog, yet is held in spite of himself by the look of indifference
and disrespect on the other’s face. He, the envied dog of the
neighborhood, upon whom all honors have been showered, has found here
for the first time a dog who dares to disregard him. And what a dog! He
is amazed, yet held, waiting to see what the tramp dog will do.
Those smaller dogs do not share the indifference of Diogenes at the
presence of this great personage. They seem ready to run at the first
sign of danger, yet they remain near enough to see and hear all that
might happen.
The two hounds in the background, waiting so solemnly for the master,
hold their heads high in the air as if the neighborhood were not good
enough for them, and they of course could have no interest in what is
going on.
Probably Sir Edwin Landseer meant this picture to call attention to the
vanities of human nature, and to make us smile at them. The expressions
on the faces of these dogs are almost human, so well do they tell their
story.
The hammer and nails lying on the rough pavement near the barrel would
indicate that this is not a permanent home for the tramp dog, but rather
a temporary place of shelter into which he has strayed.
Notice how Landseer has centered our attention on the more important
dog, by color, size, and position in the picture. The other spots of
light, even that on the edge of the barrel, draw our eyes back to the
proud Alexander. We might not discover Diogenes so soon if we did not
follow the gaze of Alexander.
Landseer delighted in telling stories in his pictures of animals. Rosa
Bonheur and other animal painters aimed to make the animals appear
natural and lifelike, but Landseer wished most of all to show their
relation to human beings.
This picture hangs in the National Gallery, London, England.
=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= Who was Alexander
the Great? Who was Diogenes? Tell about the life and philosophy of
Diogenes. Describe his personal appearance; Plato’s dinner and his reply
to Diogenes. Why did Diogenes carry a lantern in the daytime? What
happened after he was captured by the pirates? How did he happen to be
in Corinth when Alexander the Great was there? What opinion did
Alexander have of himself? Where did he find Diogenes? What conversation
did they have? Why was this picture called “Alexander and Diogenes”? Why
is the name appropriate? To which class do the other dogs in the picture
belong? What are they doing? Where is the scene of this picture laid?
Why is this appropriate? What is there unusual about this picture? What
impression do you think the artist wished to leave with us? What devices
has he used to center our attention upon the more important dog? upon
Diogenes? Where is the original painting?
=The story of the artist.= Sir Edwin Landseer’s grandfather was a
jeweler, and his father also learned the jeweler’s trade. The jewelers
of that day were often asked to engrave the copper plates that were used
in printing pictures. Sir Edwin’s father soon decided he would rather
engrave pictures than sell jewels, and he became a very skillful
engraver.
At that time few people realized what an art it was to be able to cut a
picture in copper so that a great many copies of it could be made from
one plate. They did not even consider it an art as we do, and so
engravers were not allowed to exhibit at the Royal Academy and were
given no honors at all. Edwin’s father thought this was not right, and
gave several lectures in defense of the art. Engraving, he said, was a
kind of “sculpture performed by incision.” His talks seemed to be of no
avail at the time, but in the year following his death, engravers at
last received the recognition due them.
His eldest son, Thomas, also became famous as an engraver, and it is to
him we are indebted for so many good prints of Sir Edwin Landseer’s
paintings. This son is the one who made the engraving of the “Horse
Fair” for Rosa Bonheur. Few people can afford to own great paintings,
but the prints come within the means of almost all of us.
Edwin’s father taught him to draw, and he learned so quickly that even
when he was only five years old he could draw remarkably well. Edwin had
three sisters and two brothers. The family lived in the country, and
often the father went with his boys for a walk through the fields. There
were two very large fields separated from each other by a fence with an
old-fashioned stile. This stile had about four steps and was built high,
so that the sheep and cows pastured in the fields could not jump over.
One day Edwin stopped here to admire these animals and asked his father
to show him how to draw them. His father took a piece of paper and a
pencil from his pocket, and showed Edwin how to draw a cow. This was the
boy’s first drawing lesson. After this Edwin came here nearly every day,
and his father called these two fields “Edwin’s studio.”
When he was only thirteen years old two of his pictures were exhibited
at the Royal Academy. One was a painting of a mule, the other of a dog
and puppy. Edwin painted from real life always, not caring to make
copies from the work of others. All the sketches he made when he was a
little boy were carefully kept by his father, and now, if you go to
England, you may see them in the South Kensington Museum, in London.
Landseer was only sixteen years old when he exhibited his wonderful
picture called “Fighting Dogs Getting Wind.” A very rich man, whose
praise meant a great deal at that time, bought the picture, and Edwin’s
success was assured. So many people brought their pets for him to paint
that he had to keep a list and each was obliged to wait his turn.
It was about this time, too, that he painted an old white horse in the
stable of another wealthy man. After the picture was finished and ready
to deliver, it suddenly disappeared. It was sought everywhere, but it
was not found until twenty-four years afterwards. A servant had stolen
it and hidden it away in a hayloft. He was afraid to sell it, or even to
keep it in his home, for every one would recognize the great artist’s
work.
For a number of years Landseer lived and painted in his father’s house
in a poor little room without even a carpet. All the furniture, we are
told, consisted of three cheap chairs and an easel. Later he had a fine
studio not far from Regent’s Park. There were a small house and garden,
and the barn was made over into a studio.
Sir Edwin was not a very good business man, so he left all his financial
affairs to his father, who sold his pictures for him and kept his
accounts.
At twenty-four Landseer became a member of the Royal Academy, which was
an unusual honor for so young a man.
This story is told of him. At a social gathering in the home of a
well-known leader of society in London, where Landseer was present, the
company had been talking about skill with the hands, when some one
remarked that no one had ever been found who could draw two things at
once. Landseer replied, “Oh, I can do that; lend me two pencils and I
will show you.” Then with one hand he quickly drew the head of a horse,
at the same time drawing with the other hand a deer’s head and antlers.
Both sketches were so good that they might well have been drawn with the
same hand and with much more care.
Landseer made a special study of lions, too. A lion died at the park
menagerie, and Landseer dissected its body and studied and drew every
part. He painted many pictures of lions. He modeled the lions at the
base of the Nelson Monument in Trafalgar Square, London, unveiled in
1867.
When Sir Edwin Landseer went to visit Scotland one of his fellow
travelers was Sir Walter Scott, the great novelist. The two became warm
friends. Sir Walter Scott tells us: “Landseer’s dogs were the most
magnificent things I ever saw, leaping and bounding and grinning all
over the canvas.” Landseer painted Sir Walter Scott’s handsome dog,
“Maida Vale,” many times, and named his studio for the dog.
Although Landseer painted so many wild animals, birds, and hunting
scenes, he did not care to shoot animals or to hunt. His sketchbook was
his only weapon. Sometimes he would hire guides to take him into the
wildest parts of the country in search of game. But they felt quite
disgusted with him when, a great deer bounding toward them, he would
merely make a sketch of it in his book. He knew how to use a gun,
though, and sometimes did so with great success.
But it was the study of live animals that interested him most. Sir Edwin
Landseer felt that animals understand, feel, and reason just like
people, so he painted them as happy, sad, gay, dignified, frivolous,
rich, poor, and in all ways, just like human beings.
Landseer did and said all he could against the custom of cutting, or
“cropping,” the ears of dogs. He held that nature intended to protect
the ears of dogs that “dig in the dirt,” and man should not interfere.
People paid attention to what he said, and the custom lost favor.
In 1850 the honor of knighthood was conferred upon the artist.
Landseer was popular alike with lovers of art and simple lovers of
nature who had no knowledge of painting. No English painter has ever
been more appreciated in his own country.
He died in London in 1873, at the age of seventy-one.
Other noted pictures by Landseer are: “The Highland Shepherd’s Chief
Mourner,” “Suspense,” “The Connoisseurs,” “A Distinguished Member of the
Royal Humane Society,” “Saved,” “My Dog,” “Dignity and Impudence,”
“Sleeping Bloodhound,” “Shoeing the Bay Mare,” “Monarch of the Glen,”
and “A Deer Family.”
=Questions about the artist.= What did Sir Edwin Landseer’s father do
for a living? Tell about Edwin’s boyhood and first “studio.” For what
did he name the studio “Maida Vale”? With whom did he travel through
Scotland? What was Sir Edwin Landseer’s idea of hunting, and why? How
did he feel about animals? What skill did he have with his left hand?
Name some of his paintings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]
RUBENS’S SONS
=Questions to arouse interest.= Of whom is this a portrait? What are the
boys doing? What expressions do you see on their faces? How does this
picture show that the artist gave careful attention to details? In what
ways does the picture grow more attractive the longer you look at it?
How are we made to feel that the artist was in perfect sympathy with his
subject? What has the pillar in the background to do with balancing the
composition? Where is the center of interest and how is it held? What
can you say of the light and shade? of the variety and kind of lines?
=Original Picture=: Dresden, Germany.
=Artist=: Peter Paul Rubens (rōō´bĕnz).
=Birthplace=: Siegen, Germany.
=Dates=: Born, 1577; died, 1640.
=The story of the picture.= The paintings of Peter Paul Rubens were in
such demand that he employed a great number of skilled assistants to
help him paint them. He himself worked some on each picture, making the
first sketch and adding the finishing touches, but in many of them his
carefully trained assistants put in the details of costume, background,
and even the hands and faces. Rubens worked out a system of his own by
which all were kept busy, and a remarkably large number of pictures
finished in a short time. Some critics have spoken of his studio as a
“manufactory for the production of religious and decorative pictures.”
Knowing this, it can be readily understood how much more this picture,
called “Rubens’s Sons,” is valued because the artist painted every
stroke himself. He would not allow any one else to touch it, and later,
owing to its great popularity, it is believed he made a copy of the
painting, as there are two in existence.
The brothers, Albert and Nicholas, are so lifelike that they almost seem
to breathe and move. The elder son, Albert, was twelve years old when
this picture was painted, and his brother Nicholas, eight. Albert,
always a studious boy, looks thoughtfully at us as he half leans against
the pillar. In his gloved right hand he holds a book, while in his bare
left hand, resting on his brother’s shoulder, he holds the other
fur-edged glove.
The younger boy, Nicholas, is absorbed in his plaything, a goldfinch
fastened by a string to a wooden perch. He shrewdly calculates the
distance he must let out the string, and his alert, eager attention
tells us much of the stirring, restless life of this healthy, active
boy. It is difficult to keep him standing still very long.
Rubens delighted in painting rich velvets, brocades, silks, and satins,
and especially in representing his wife and their children in beautiful
clothes. In this picture he has certainly satisfied that desire, for the
boys are dressed in most elaborate costumes even for that day, and
especially so if we compare them with the simple dark suits of boys of
the same age to-day. Nicholas’s suit is of gray and blue, with puffs of
yellow satin, rosettes below his knees and on his shoes, lace collar and
cuffs, and innumerable little buttons. Albert wears black satin slashed
with white, white ruched collars and cuffs, and a soft black felt hat.
At a glance we would judge them to be the sons of a gentleman, well
brought up, healthy, happy, and manly.
The great studio in which Rubens worked was like a school, for many
young artists came there to learn how to draw and paint. Rubens worked
away at his own easel while the students and helpers were seated about
the room, each carefully working out some part on the canvas before him.
Occasionally he would stop his painting long enough to look at the
others’ work, correct their mistakes, and help them. Often, as he
worked, Rubens would have some one read aloud to him in Latin, for he
was a fine scholar and liked to keep up his knowledge. The boy Albert
loved to sit on a stool near his father, watching and listening, and as
soon as he was able to write at all he could read and write in Latin.
Always fond of reading and studying, he gained such a reputation for
scholarship that when he was only sixteen years old the king of Spain,
Philip IV, appointed him to a very important position—secretary to the
Privy Council.
Whenever Rubens went on a long journey he brought back many curios, such
as cameos, jewels, old coins, and relics of all kinds. Soon he had so
many collected he put them all in one room, which he called the “museum
room.” Albert loved to study the curious things in this room, and spent
hours alone here while Nicholas was romping out in the great yard. When
Albert grew up he wrote several books about antiquities and curios.
=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= Who painted this
picture? How old were these two boys? What were their names? Which one
looks the more studious? the more active? How are they dressed? Tell
something of Rubens’s studio and manner of working. Who helped him? why?
In what did the elder son, Albert, become proficient? To what important
position was he appointed? What books did he write? Tell about the
museum.
=The story of the artist.= The great Flemish painter, Peter Paul Rubens,
was born at Siegen, Germany, during the forced exile of his parents from
their home in Antwerp, Belgium. But Rubens always claimed citizenship at
Antwerp, and spent most of his life there after the death of his father.
His mother sent him to a Jesuit college, where, besides his religious
training, he gained a mastery of languages. According to the customs of
those times he was next sent as a page to the home of a great lady; but
this was not to his liking and he soon returned home. His mother wished
him to be a lawyer, as his father had been, but Rubens persuaded her to
help him in his ambition to be a painter.
The next ten years he spent at home, studying under the direction of
local artists, until at the age of twenty-three he was so filled with
the desire to visit Italy that he set out for Venice. He spent much time
copying the paintings of the Venetian masters, and it was while he was
working on one of these copies that a gentleman belonging to the court
of the Duke of Mantua found him, and praised his work so highly to the
duke that Rubens was sent for. Then for eight years Rubens held the
position of court painter for the Duke of Mantua.
In appearance he was tall, well built, and good looking, carrying
himself with grace and an air of distinction. Cultured, with pleasant
manners and such unusual talent, it is not strange that he made friends
wherever he went.
The story is told that one day as he was painting a picture the subject
of which he had chosen from Virgil, “The Struggle of Turnus with Æneas,”
he recited the Latin aloud to himself. The duke, happening to pass that
way, heard him, and coming into the studio spoke to him in Latin, not
for an instant believing he would understand, but Rubens answered in
perfect Latin. The duke was amazed, for his idea of painters did not
include their having a knowledge of the classics. He then inquired about
the artist’s birth and education, and so Rubens, with his great talent,
was held in even greater favor at court.
Rubens made a journey to Spain for the Duke of Mantua, taking with him
as presents copies of some of the celebrated Italian paintings and a
number of horses to be presented to King Philip III and to the Duke of
Lerma. The Duke of Mantua was famous throughout Europe for his fine
horses, and it is said that those appearing so often in Rubens’s
paintings were chosen from among the duke’s favorites. On this journey
Rubens took the wrong road, crossing the Alps with great difficulty. The
baggage, drawn by oxen over the steep mountain roads, delayed him, and
the paintings were almost ruined by heavy rains, which made it necessary
for him to spend many days retouching them before they could be
presented. He was so successful in this task, and the journey had given
them such an appearance of age, that the king thought they must be the
“genuine originals of the old masters.”
The horses, however, arrived in fine condition, for, as the story goes,
they had been bathed in wine several times during the journey, which
greatly improved the glossiness of their coats.
After his return Rubens continued his travels through Italy, whenever he
could secure a leave of absence from the duke, but was finally called
back to Antwerp by the death of his mother. When he would have returned
to the duke’s court he was persuaded by the Archduke Albert and his wife
to remain in Antwerp, where he was offered the position of court painter
at a most generous salary.
He then built a magnificent home and married Isabella Brant, whose
portrait he has painted so often. This house was so arranged that he
could use part of it for his school, to which students came from all
parts of Europe. Each student was taught to do a certain part of a
picture well, and most of them had their part in the great paintings,
which were first planned and then retouched by Rubens. For this work
Rubens always gave them credit, and in his list of pictures he has
permitted no deception. Thus we find among his notes:
“A Prometheus bound—with an eagle who gnaws his liver. Original by my
hand, eagle by Snyder.
“Leopards, painted from life, with Satyrs and Nymphs. Original by my
hand, except a very beautiful landscape done by a very distinguished
artist in that style.
“The Twelve Apostles and Christ, painted by my pupils after originals by
my hand—they could all be retouched by my hand.”
Such a great number of pictures are attributed to Rubens and his helpers
that some are to be found in every gallery in Europe.
His paintings were in demand not only in the Netherlands but in other
countries. In France, Maria de Medici commissioned him to paint pictures
illustrating the chief events in her life, to be placed in the gallery
of the Luxembourg Palace. There were twenty-one of these pictures in all
besides three portraits.
A beautiful friendship existed between the two artists, Rubens and
Velasquez, although Rubens was twenty-two years older than his young
friend.
Other paintings by Rubens are: “Adoration of the Magi,” “The Garland of
Fruit,” “The Descent from the Cross,” “The Last Communion of St.
Francis,” “Judgment of Paris,” and “Peace and War.”
=Questions about the artist.= Where was Rubens born? Where did he claim
citizenship? why? Tell about his early education. Where did he study
drawing and painting? Describe his personal appearance. Why was he such
a favorite at court? Tell about his journey to Spain and the paintings
and horses he took with him. Tell something of his life after his return
from this journey. Name some of his important paintings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]
SONG OF THE LARK
=Questions to arouse interest.= What has the girl been doing? Why has
she stopped? What did she hear? How does the girl seem to feel? Is she
singing or listening? Why do you think so? How is she dressed? Where is
she going? What has she in her hand? What occupation would this suggest?
What time of day do you think it is? What can you see in the distance?
What is the name of this picture?
=Original Picture=: Art Institute, Chicago, Illinois.
=Artist=: Jules Adolphe Breton (brẽ tôN´).
=Birthplace=: Courrières, France.
=Dates=: Born, 1827; died, 1906.
=The story of the picture.= It is said that the artist, Jules Breton,
was walking in the fields of France early one morning when suddenly
there burst forth the joyous song of a lark singing high in the air. As
he looked about him, trying to discover the bird, he soon found it by
following the rapt gaze of a peasant girl who had stopped to look and
listen. As you know, an English lark sings while flying high in the air
instead of in the treetops as other birds do. Its song, too, is longer
and far more beautiful than that of our lark, and has been the subject
of many poems. Perhaps the best known are “Hark, Hark, the Lark,” by
Shakespeare, and “To a Skylark,” by Shelley.
The last line of this verse by Shelley is often quoted:
“Higher still and higher
From the earth thou springest
Like a cloud of fire;
The blue deep thou wingest,
And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest.”
Jules Breton has tried to show us what he saw that morning, and to help
us find the lark through the joyous expression on the girl’s face. Her
lips are parted as she listens breathlessly to the exquisite song of
praise the lark is pouring forth. The sun, a huge, fiery ball, is rising
just behind the trees of the distant village, and all the earth is
flooded with its golden light.
This sturdy, healthy peasant girl, sickle in hand, is going forth to her
work in the fields. She walks along briskly in the narrow path, her head
thrown back, breathing in the fresh morning air, when suddenly her
little friend, the lark, gives her the morning greeting. As we look at
her we do not feel that this is the first time she has heard his sweet
song, but rather that it is something she has learned to look and listen
for each morning as she starts out to her day’s work.
Another Frenchman, Millet, painted the French peasant so that our
feelings of pity are aroused, but Breton shows us such strong, happy,
peasant girls that we are apt rather to envy them their life of outdoor
freedom and healthful labor.
Millet says of these peasants, “Breton paints girls who are too
beautiful to remain in the country.” Other critics declare that Breton’s
wonderful sunrises and sunsets would make any figure stand out
transfigured, and as he chooses as models only the most favored in
strength and beauty, of course the results are unusual.
This picture is so full of joy and song that it fills us with wonder and
appreciation of all that is beautiful in nature. First, there is the
bird with its wonderful power to soar so high and to so fill the air
with its beautiful song. Then the sun, and all that it makes possible
for us in life and growth. It seems indeed a privilege for this
happy-hearted peasant girl to be permitted to go out in the fields on
this bright, fresh morning to do her little share in the work of the
world.
Her apron is caught up about her waist to hold the heads of wheat, for,
as her sickle indicates, she is going into the wheat field. A large
handkerchief is fastened about her hair to protect it from the dust and
dirt of the field. She is dressed for a warm day in summer. Her large,
coarse hands and feet, hardened by exposure and toil, suggest health and
strength and give us a feeling of admiration rather than of pity.
The details of the field and even of her dress are made secondary and
unimportant compared with her face, upon which is centered our chief
interest and to which our eyes are continually drawn.
In the little village faintly seen in the distance we catch a glimpse of
the homes of the peasants,—simple, rude homes, yet, if we may judge by
this girl’s expression, cheerful and happy homes.
Breton has avoided all possibility of monotony in his picture by the
unequal division of space. Had the figure of the girl been placed
exactly in the center of the landscape, or the earth and sky spaces been
made equal, the picture would have lost much in interest, as you will
soon discover if you cover up parts of the composition with a piece of
paper. Although there is no rule stating that the center of interest
should not be in the middle of a picture, most artists seem to prefer
centering their interest on some person or object a little to one side
of the middle.
=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= How did the artist
happen to paint this picture? How does an English lark differ from the
larks in our country? What time of day is represented in this picture?
What is the girl doing? Compare the paintings of peasants by Millet and
Breton. How is this girl dressed? How does she seem to feel? What can
you say of the composition of this picture as to: (1) division of land
and sky space; (2) center of interest; (3) placing of the figure; (4)
lack of detail—the simplicity?
=The story of the artist.= Jules Adolphe Breton was the son of cultured,
well-to-do parents. When he was only four years old his mother died and
he was brought up, with other children, by his father and an uncle who
came to live with them at this time. In the great yard or park about his
father’s house there were four statues representing the four seasons of
the year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Jules loved to look at
these statues, and when one day a painter came and repainted them a
bright green, he watched every movement of the brush with great delight.
He was only six years old, but that night he announced to his father
that he was going to be an artist.
When he was ten years old his father sent him to a religious school. At
this school there was a large black dog named Coco, a general favorite,
whose picture Jules often drew. One day he drew Coco in a black gown
like the priest’s, and standing on his hind feet, holding a book in his
paws. He named his picture “The Abbé Coco Reads His Breviary.” The
priest, his teacher, happening to see this picture, was much displeased,
and demanded, “Did you do this through impiety or to laugh at your
masters?” Jules was frightened, and not knowing exactly what “impiety”
meant, but feeling sure that to “laugh at your masters” would be a
serious offense, he answered tremblingly, “Through impiety.”
For this he was severely whipped, much to the indignation of his father,
who promptly took him out of the school. Jules was then sent to another
school, where he was taught drawing, and from that time on he painted
pictures which won for him great popularity.
He has received medals and other honors in England, France, and America.
Some of his best pictures are in the United States, among them “The Song
of the Lark,” which is usually considered his masterpiece.
Other noted pictures are: “The Vintagers,” “Return of the Gleaners,”
“Blessing the Grain,” “Women Weeding,” “The Turkey Keeper,” and “The
Shepherd’s Star.”
=Questions about the artist.= Who painted this picture? By whom was he
brought up? What helped him decide to be an artist? How old was he when
he made this resolve? Tell about the drawing of Coco. What happened
because of this drawing? What was the outcome of this happening? How
successful was he as an artist? Where is the original painting of the
“Song of the Lark”? What else has Breton painted?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]
BEATA BEATRIX
=Questions to arouse interest.= What is there about this picture that
suggests a mystery? Where is this lady sitting? What has been brought to
her? Of what is the dove a symbol? the poppy? To what hour does the
sundial point? What can you see in the distance?
=Original picture=: National Gallery of British Art, London.
=Artist=: Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
=Birthplace=: Portland Place, London, England.
=Dates=: Born, 1828; died, 1882.
=The story of the picture.= Long ago, in the age of chivalry, there
lived a beautiful Florentine lady named Beatrice Portinari. A great
poet, Dante, has described her to us from her childhood to her death.
In those days when all true knights served their ladies, and even small
boys were required to choose objects of devotion, it was not strange
that a boy of nine years should choose a little neighbor girl for this
honor. She was only a year younger than he when her father, Folco
Portinari, a rich nobleman of Florence, gave a festival in her honor,
inviting all his neighbors and friends. Dante went with his father. Here
for the first time he met Beatrice, whom he afterwards described as “the
youngest of the angels.”
“‘People called her Beatrice then,’ he explains, ‘without knowing how
truly the name belonged to her, for it means ‘one who blesses.’” The
artist, Rossetti, must have been thinking of this when he named his
picture “Beata Beatrix,” which means “happy or pleasing; one who
blesses.” Beata sometimes has another meaning—“the elect of
Paradise”—and Dante suggests this meaning as he tells us how the people
remarked, as she passed, that “she seemed not to be the daughter of a
mortal man, but of God.” Indeed, he tells us that whoever looked at her
was made better, for all ill thoughts must vanish before her,—“the
destroyer of all evil, and the queen of all good.”
She must have been a fairylike little creature as she moved among her
father’s guests, dressed in deep crimson, with a few beautiful ornaments
which brought out her delicate coloring. At any rate she became the
ideal of the small boy, Dante. He became a poet through this meeting and
from that time on wrote verses to her. We probably never would have
known there was such a person as Beatrice, if he had not told us about
her in his poems. Now she will never be forgotten, for not only the poet
Dante, but the artist Rossetti, made her name immortal.
It was not until nine years after this first meeting that Dante met
Beatrice face to face again. She was walking on the street between two
older women, and turned to greet him pleasantly. Dressed in white this
time, she seemed to him the fairest and most beautiful lady in all
Florence.
This meeting had such an effect upon Dante that he declared he felt as
if he had reached the “furthest limit of blessedness.” Hurrying to his
room, he spent hours in thinking of Beatrice;—finally he fell asleep and
dreamed of her. As soon as he awoke, he commenced a sonnet, which he
addressed, not to her, but to his fellow-poets. It was not until later
that he ventured to address his verses to Beatrice, usually speaking of
her as “my lady.”
After each meeting or new thought of Beatrice, Dante wrote his poems,
until at last he put them all into a book which he called “Vita Nuova,”
meaning “new life.” He declared that from the time of his first meeting
with Beatrice he had begun a new life, and this book would contain the
record of it. Here he tells all his inmost thoughts and feelings, for in
those days it was the fashion for poets to tell of their loves.
So we hear how Dante spent his days and nights thinking of the lovely
Beatrice, until his health began to fail and his friends questioned,
even taunted him, as to the cause. He did not wish them to know who it
was that so affected him, and was wondering how to keep his secret when
an accident showed him the way. As he sat in church looking across to
where his beloved Beatrice sat unconscious of his presence, his glance
was returned by a lady sitting half way between. She thought his glances
were for her. She looked around several times, and other people,
noticing her, soon decided she must be the lady Dante loved. Dante then
decided to use her as a screen, and though he continued to write his
verses to Beatrice, he did so in such a way that all believed they were
directed to the screen lady.
This did very well for several years, until the screen lady moved to
another city. Then Dante chose another screen lady, but she got him into
trouble. False rumors spread rapidly and soon the gentle Beatrice heard
them. So one day, when she passed Dante on the street, she did not give
him the customary greeting. He was nearly heartbroken, for this greeting
was all the recompense he had ever had or hoped to have for his love. He
tells how much it meant to him, how kindly it made him feel toward even
his enemies, and that it was the inspiration and hope of his life.
A friend took him to a wedding feast at which Beatrice was one of the
guests. At the sight of her he grew faint and was obliged to return
home. As he passed a group of women, they stopped him and inquired what
kind of a love his was that made him numb and speechless in the mere
presence of the loved one. He told them that until the day when Beatrice
refused it, the end and aim of his love had been “her salutation”; but
now his desire had changed to something that could not fail him: His
happiness now lay “in the words which praise my lady.”
Is it any wonder then that one so gentle and beautiful as Beatrice, and
to whom the attention of all Florence was directed by the adoration of
so beloved a poet as Dante, should become a kind of goddess or queen in
that city? Dante tells us that people came to the corners of the streets
to see her pass. Her companions, too, were honored for her sake, and it
seemed as if Beatrice herself was “the only creature in Florence unaware
of her own perfections.” It gave him the most exquisite pleasure to
think that he had helped bring this about.
At the death of Beatrice’s father, Dante’s grief was almost as deep as
for his own father, and he remained near the house in the vain hope that
he might comfort his lady in some way. Shortly after this, Dante became
very ill, and as he thought of death, he realized that some day his
beloved Beatrice must die. The thought drove him into a frenzy of
despair; and when at last he fell asleep, it was only to dream of her
approaching death. This dream proved to be a true omen, for only once
more was Dante permitted to see his Beatrice; then one day as he was
composing a sonnet to her, the news of her death was brought to him. He
was prostrated with grief, and it was some time before he could write
again.
Dante was then twenty-seven years old, and left, as he said, “to
ruminate on death, and envy whomsoever dies.” To console himself he read
religious philosophy, and from thinking of Beatrice as a saint upon
earth, he began to think of her in heaven in company with saints and
angels. And so almost before he knew it he had started to write his
masterpiece, “The Divine Comedy.” In this, Beatrice, still the object of
his adoration, leads him from circle to circle in Paradise, and for the
first time we hear her speak.
It is strange how very little is known of Beatrice from other sources.
Beyond the fact of her birth and parentage little is given. Many
authorities state she was the wife of Simone de’ Bardi, but as many
vigorously deny this. Dante does not mention her marriage, and indeed
gives us quite the opposite impression.
Dante has represented his Beatrice as so perfect, so absolutely without
fault in every way, that many have questioned whether she was a real
woman or an ideal. Perhaps the doubt as to her reality started when
people began to ask more about her and her interest in Dante. Living in
Florence, she must have known of his devotion, yet we have no way of
knowing whether she knew or not. And then we are permitted to see
Beatrice only at a distance, and usually surrounded by her bodyguard of
gentle ladies. We know how she affected other people, the beauty and
sweetness of her presence, yet we are never brought close enough to see
even the hint of an imperfection of any kind. And the poet himself does
not address his poems directly to her, but “to other poetic souls who
will understand.”
Yet who can read his “Vita Nuova” and fail to be convinced that Beatrice
was an actual woman? Here we find her beautiful, gentle, modest, and
smiling, walking with others, prayerful in church, weeping at funerals,
and merry at festivals. All the little events of her life, and even the
peace of her death, are sympathetically told by one who knew her to be
real, yet has made her truly ideal.
The “Vita Nuova” was written in Italian, and one of the best English
translations was made by Rossetti, who painted this picture as one of
the many illustrations for the book. No one could have been more in
sympathy with this subject than Rossetti; both because of his great
admiration for Dante, and because he had suffered a similar affliction
in the loss of his beloved wife.
Dante sought to prove in verse that death is but passing from one world
into another, and Rossetti wished to show Beatrice in that transition
stage, or swoon, in which she is about to pass into another life. In his
own words Rossetti tells us, “The picture illustrates the ‘Vita Nuova,’
embodying symbolically the death of Beatrice as treated in that work.
The picture is not intended at all to represent death, but to render it
under the semblance of a trance in which Beatrice, seated at a balcony
overlooking the city, is suddenly rapt from earth to heaven.”
We are supposed to be in an adjoining room in the home of Beatrice, and
to be looking out upon the balcony where she is sitting. Her closed
eyes, half-closed lips, and listless hands make her appear to be half
sleeping, half waking, yet conscious of some heavenly vision we cannot
see. The dove, crowned with a halo to show that it is a heavenly
messenger, brings the poppy to Beatrice. This flower is the symbol of
death; the dark heart of the flower stands for mystery and the white
petals for purity.
The sundial represents the hour as close at hand. Dante was quite
superstitious about the number nine, and in his book refers to that
number so often that this picture would not be complete without some
indication of it. He was nine years old when he met Beatrice; nine years
later he received her salutation; it was usually on the ninth hour that
he saw or dreamed of her; and it was at the ninth hour that she passed
away.
As we glance away from Beatrice, beyond the balcony we catch a glimpse
of the Florence in which she lived, with its river Arno, its bridge, and
some of the towers and palaces in the dim distance. The two figures
gazing sadly at one another represent Dante and Love. In his “Vita
Nuova,” Dante always speaks of Love as an actual person appearing to him
in different forms. First he appeared as a traveler dressed in coarse
clothes; then as a youth in white who came and sat on the edge of his
bed and comforted him; and on those rare occasions when Dante saw
Beatrice he was always present. Dressed in vermilion in this picture, he
stands holding a flaming heart and pointing upward, as if he would
beckon Dante to follow. Critics generally agree that the figure of Love
in this picture represents the spiritual Beatrice, who beckons Dante to
follow as she passes upward. Dante, dressed in scholarly gown, gazes
fixedly at the figure as if he would not fail to get the message.
The colors in which this picture is painted add much to its air of
mystery. The purplish tints of late sunset linger in the distant view of
the city and bring out the golden auburn hair of Beatrice, suggesting a
halo made radiant against the twilight distance. Yet Rossetti has been
very careful to make Beatrice appear as a real person and not as a
vision. To accomplish this, he has made the figure stand out clearly
against the brilliant light, yet lost in the half shadows of the
balcony, so she appears to be both of this world and of the next. He has
represented life and death again in the colors of her dress,—green and
purple. She wears a loose-fitting green garment over a purple dress. The
bird is a deep rose color. It carries the purplish white poppy to her
lap.
This picture of Beata Beatrix is dated 1863, but was not finished until
two years later. Nine years afterwards, Rossetti painted a copy of it,
adding the meeting of Beatrice and Dante in Paradise. He painted several
other copies, but none of them have been considered equal to this first
picture. The original was painted in oils and sold to Lord Mount Temple,
whose widow gave it as a memorial to the National Gallery, London, where
it now hangs.
Rossetti designed nearly all the frames for his pictures, because he
liked to show on them some of the things that suggested the picture. He
took unusual pains in designing the frame for this painting. On the
sides are circles showing clouds, stars, and skies, representing the two
worlds. Below the painting he has printed the date of the death of
Beatrice, June 9, 1290, and a quotation in Latin from the Bible
illustrating the effect of her death upon Florence:
“How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people!
How is she become as a widow! She that was great among the nations!”
=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= Of whom is this a
picture? Where did she live? By whom was she made famous? How? Explain
the meaning of her name, and the name of this picture. Why were these
names appropriate? In what age did Beatrice live? What influence did
chivalry have upon Dante? When and where did Dante and Beatrice meet?
How old were they? What was the result of this first meeting? Tell about
the next meeting and its effect. What is the “Vita Nuova,” and why was
it written? Tell about the screen ladies. How was Dante punished? What
was the end and aim of his love for Beatrice? How was Beatrice regarded
in Florence? why? What was Dante’s dream? Of what was it an omen? What
was the effect of Beatrice’s death upon Dante? Why do some people think
Beatrice was not a real woman? What is your opinion? Why did Rossetti
wish to paint this picture? Does it represent death or life? Where is
Beatrice sitting? Describe the picture; its coloring. What part has the
number nine in the life of Beatrice? Explain the figures in the
background. Where is the original painting? How is it framed?
=The story of the artist.= Daniel Gabriel Rossetti was the eldest son of
Gabriele Rossetti, a poet and Italian exile. Gabriel, for that was the
name he was usually called, was born at Portland Place, London, and had
two sisters and one brother. He was first sent to a private school, then
to King’s College School. When he was but fourteen, because of his
marked ability to draw he was sent to Cary’s Art Academy. Here he did so
well that three years later he gained admission to the Royal Academy
Antique School.
He was only twenty years old when with some other young artists he
started a new art movement which they agreed, half in jest, to call
Pre-Raphaelitism. They themselves were called Pre-Raphaelites. When they
began to exhibit their paintings, they were very severely criticized and
ridiculed; but a popular young art critic of that day, John Ruskin, came
to their aid by writing a long letter in which he praised them heartily.
This letter was published and turned the tide of popular opinion.
Meanwhile, Rossetti was developing his literary talents, his writings
being published in the leading magazines of that time.
One day a young artist friend of Rossetti’s went with his mother into a
millinery shop, where, glancing through an open door, he saw a number of
young girls at work. Among them was one who had the beautiful reddish
auburn hair which was the favorite color among the Pre-Raphaelites. The
young man persuaded his mother to ask the girl if she would pose for
him. The girl’s name was Elizabeth Siddall, and from posing for this
friend she soon became acquainted with other artists, among them,
Rossetti. She showed considerable artistic ability herself, and it is
said that John Ruskin, wishing her to give up her trade and devote
herself to art, promised to buy all the pictures she could paint, if she
would study with Rossetti. This delighted Rossetti, who felt more than
interested in this new pupil.
Judging from the paintings Rossetti made of her at this time she must
have been a beautiful young girl. Besides her good looks she must have
had a brilliant mind, for she learned rapidly, and soon became not only
a good artist but a writer and judge of good literature. Then she
discovered that her education had been much neglected, so with
Rossetti’s and Ruskin’s help she went away to school to perfect herself.
She did this because she believed she would then be able to help
Rossetti more in his work. When she returned to London, they were
married.
Their marriage was a very happy one, but hardly two years had passed
when the young wife died.
During these two years Rossetti was inspired in his work in art and
literature by his beautiful wife, and it was at her request that he
copied the poems he had addressed to her into a little book which she
had given to him for that purpose. Overcome by grief at her death,
Rossetti wrapped this volume in his wife’s beautiful hair as she lay in
her coffin, and so it was buried with her.
Seven years later he was persuaded to secure this book again, and its
publication brought him much honor. But he felt much remorse because he
had permitted the grave to be opened, and, some very severe and unkind
criticisms coming to him at this time, his health began to fail. He
found he could not sleep, and although he knew their terrible effects,
he commenced taking narcotics. All the rest of Rossetti’s life was spent
in a constant struggle against them until at last they conquered in his
death.
It is not strange that Rossetti should have been interested in Dante and
his writings. Rossetti’s father was so great an admirer of Dante that he
named his son for him, and wrote many articles about him. Rossetti’s
sister, too, wrote a book about Dante, his life and works, which she
called “The Shadow of Dante.”
You can easily see how, after the death of his wife, the story of the
death of Beatrice would affect Rossetti; and it is little wonder that
the Beatrice of the “Beata Beatrix” should resemble his own wife.
However, he did not intend this as a portrait of his wife, but only
meant to show that love continues after death, and that what men call
death is but a swooning into another life. Nearly all of Rossetti’s
paintings are connected more or less with the tragedy of his own life,
and through them we come to understand what that life must have been.
He painted many literary subjects, and among those illustrating the life
of Dante and Beatrice are:
“Il Saluto di Beatrice,” which represents the meeting of Beatrice and
Dante first in a street of Florence, and then in Paradise.
“Dante Drawing the Angel”—a year after Beatrice’s death Dante observed
the anniversary by drawing the angel which represented Beatrice.
“Beatrice at the Wedding Feast, Denying her Salutation to Dante.”
“Dante’s Dream.” This is the largest picture Rossetti ever painted.
Other paintings are: “The Blessed Damozel,” “The Spirit of the Rainbow,”
“Forced Music,” “The Bower Meadow,” “The Beloved.”
=Questions about the artist.= Where was Rossetti born? For whom was he
named? Of what nationality was his father? Where was Rossetti educated?
In what did he excel? What new art movement did he help to start? What
was their success? Who was Elizabeth Siddall? How did she happen to
study with Rossetti? What did she become? Tell about her life, marriage,
and death. What did Rossetti bury with her? When did he recover the
book? What caused his ill health? his death? Why did the death of
Beatrice appeal to him? Whom did she resemble in this picture? What
thought did Rossetti wish to express? What other pictures of Beatrice
did he paint?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS
=Studying the picture.= Several days before the lesson is to be taken
up, the picture to be studied should be placed where every pupil can see
it.
First of all, the children should find out for themselves what is in the
picture. The questions accompanying the story of each picture are
intended to help them to do this.
=Language work.= The pupils should be encouraged in class to talk freely
and naturally. In this way the lesson becomes a language exercise in
which the pupils will gain in freedom of expression and in the ability
to form clear mental images.
If a lesson does not occupy the entire drawing period, the children
should be asked to retell the story of the picture.
=Dramatization and drawing.= Most of the stories told by the pictures
lend themselves readily to dramatization and, whenever practicable, such
stories should be acted out. The stories also offer numerous interesting
situations that may be used as subjects for drawing lessons.
=The review lesson.= The review lesson should cover all pictures and
artists studied throughout the year. At this time other pictures
available by the same artists should be on exhibition.
The review work may be conducted as a contest in which the pictures are
held up, one at a time, while the class writes the name of the picture
and the artist on slips of paper which have been prepared and numbered
for that purpose. One teacher who used this device surprised her class
by presenting those whose lists were correct with their choice of any of
the large-sized Perry pictures studied.
Many teachers, however, will prefer to use this time for composition
work, although the description of pictures is often given as an English
lesson. Pupils may write a description of their favorite picture. In
fact, the lessons can be made to correlate with history, geography,
English, spelling, reading, or nature study.
In any event the real purpose of the work is that the pupils shall
become so familiar with the pictures that they will recognize them as
old friends whenever and wherever they may see them.
It is hoped that acquaintance with the picture and the interest awakened
by its story will grow into a fuller appreciation and understanding of
the artist’s work. Thus the children will have many happy hours and will
learn to love the good, the true, and the beautiful in everything about
them.
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● Transcriber’s Notes:
○ Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected.
○ Typographical errors were silently corrected.
○ Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only
when a predominant form was found in this book.
○ Text that was in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_);
text that was bold by “equal” signs (=bold=).
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Stories Pictures Tell Book 7" ***
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