Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Music and Poetry are the principal fine
arts. Of these the first three are called Space arts, and take the various
forms of arranging, building, constructing, designing, modelling and
picture‐painting. In the space arts there are three structural elements
with which harmonies may be built up:
1. LINE. The chief element of beauty in architecture, sculpture, metal
work, etching, line design and line drawings. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 6, 23,
38.
2. NOTAN. The chief element in illustration, charcoal drawing,
mezzotint, Oriental ink painting and architectural light and shade.
Nos. 5, 59, 60, 61.
3. COLOR. The chief element in painting, Japanese prints, textile
design, stained glass, embroidery, enamelling and pottery
decoration. Nos. 8, 9, and Chap. XIV.
[No. 1. LINE. Iron, XV Century]
[No. 2. LINE—Flying Buttresses, Chartres Cathedral]
The term LINE refers to boundaries of shapes and the interrelations of
lines and spaces. Line‐beauty means harmony of combined lines or the
peculiar quality imparted by special treatment. The term NOTAN, a Japanese
word meaning “dark, light”, refers to the quantity of light reflected, or
the massing of tones of different values. Notan‐beauty means the harmony
resulting from the combination of dark and light spaces—whether colored or
not—whether in buildings, in pictures, or in nature.
[No. 3 LINE. Harmony of rhythmic curves. From book of prints by Okumura
Masanobu, Japanese, 18th century.]
No. 3 LINE. Harmony of rhythmic curves. From book of prints by Okumura
Masanobu, Japanese, 18th century.
Careful distinction should be made between NOTAN, an element of universal
beauty, and LIGHT AND SHADOW, a single fact of external nature. The term
COLOR refers to quality of light.
These three structural elements are intimately related. Good color is
dependent upon good notan, and that in turn is dependent upon good
spacing. It seems reasonable then that a study of art should begin with
line. One should learn to think in terms of line, and be somewhat familiar
with simple spacing before attempting notan or color. There is danger,
however, of losing interest by dwelling upon one subject too long. Dark‐
and‐light massing will reveal the mistakes in spacing and stimulate to
renewed effort. Color will reveal the weakness of dark‐and‐light. Very
young pupils should begin with color but the instructor will take pains to
include spacing and notan in each lesson. In general, however, the best
plan is to take up exercises in each element in turn; then go back to them
separately and make more detailed studies; then combine them, proceeding
toward advanced compositions. Whatever be the choice of progression, there
must be a thorough grounding in the elementary relations of space cutting
and simple massings of dark‐and‐light. This is essential to successful
work in designing, drawing, modelling, painting, architecture and the
crafts.
[No. 4. LINE. Priest, from Rheims Cathedral.]
[No. 5. Venetian Lace 2 values. Three values. Peruvian, Four values.]
[No. 6. Examples of Line Harmony. Greek Sculpture, Aphrodite. Gothic
Sculpture, Mary.]
No. 6. Examples of Line Harmony. Greek Sculpture, Aphrodite. Gothic
Sculpture, Mary.
[No. 7. Examples of Line and Notan Harmony. Michelangelo. Botticelli.
Gothic Finial. Rhodian Ware.]
[No. 8. Examples of Color Harmony. HIROSHIGE. “Taki no gawa at Oji”]
No. 8. Examples of Color Harmony. HIROSHIGE. “Taki no gawa at Oji”
[No. 9. Examples of Color Harmony. Persian Woolen, ancient]