4, Hill Side, Cotham Hill, Bristol.
_From the_ WESTERN DAILY PRESS, _Feb. 25th, 1901_
"ECCE HOMO."
_To the Editor of the Western Daily Press._
Sir,--A correspondent whose letter is to-day published, calling
attention to my remarks upon the celebrated picture "Ecce Homo," of
February 20th, cannot, I suppose have understood that the motive which
impelled me in my previous letter was that the enlightenment of the
public having the interest of art might follow; next to whom, as
derivees of fresher, newer light, the spectators of the painting
"Ecce Homo," impersonally and politely apostrophised as "his academic
audience," may now be mentioned. Neither fault nor question was found
with any of such for so being; your correspondent introduced this side
view, I believe, irrelevantly--but with the picture alone.
The mission of art royal should, I hold, be understood to elevate,
to raise the public taste, to cultivate or correct a wrong line of
popular impression; that of pictures of the like of "Ecce Homo," being
to enlighten the current interest for whose delight moreover art,
from a social point of view, is justified in its mission, having a yet
higher motive, the kindling of rapture in the heart of the creative
artist.
Pictures since earlier times have been vehicles as well as ventilators
of popular belief. It is for this cause, and in instances where it is
proven, painful to touch or shake the constitutive elements of other
people's faith; an acute sense of this compunction on the whole
restraining the weight of my recent remarks. But, conjecturally
speaking, in a world wherein all things are so public, it must be
conceded that strong light should at stated times fuse the impinging
points of understanding, that truth and common sense may scrutinise
their sound bearings; moreover, also, that academic science may
arraign itself with dignity.
Your correspondent's remarks with reference to the colour of the
robe are, upon the whole, useful, purple and scarlet being synonymous
terms; preponderance of mention, rests though with the former.
Pictures cannot be considered too much as books; such truth, Art, by
the concurrence of testimony, has manifested in its destiny from time
immemorial, confirming afresh benefits on man. Open discussion will
not only add to, magnify, or deduct from their lustre, but cause their
aims, in short, to redound to the public weal. Such being so, it is
rational to expect an expression of opinion thereupon. They are not,
universally, to be regarded as graven tablets, to be gazed at, nor to
be received as infallible oracles of law. They are--at the same time,
barometers, charts, and weather-glasses--chronicles towards the fine
ends of justice, peace and mercy.
Your correspondent has stated that my remarks are ambiguous. They may
have been technical and recondite, but, as such, are excusable, and,
in their sphere, just.