Concerning the Spiritual in Art

ite and purposeful strength, alike in its material and spiritual life. It exists and has power to create spiritual atmosphere; and from this inner standpoint one judges

ak. It is only well painted if its spiritual value is complete and satisfying. "Good drawing" is drawing that cannot be altered without destruction of this inner value, quite irrespective of its correctness as anatomy, botany, or any other science. There is no question of a violation of natural form, but only of the need of the artist for such form. Similarly colours are used not because they are true to nature, but because they are

meworthy than its blind and purposeless rejection. The former produce

uction. The voice of the soul will in some degree at least make itself heard. As contrasts one may

onfusion in its train. The former leaves the sp

ated, but a power which must be directed to the improvement and refineme

man soul is gaining greater strength, art will also grow in power, for the two are inextricably connected and complementary one to the other. Conversely

otest against materialism, against the demand that everything should have a use and practical value. It is further pr

uggler whose skill and dexterity are worthy of applause. It is very important for the artist to gauge his position aright, to realize that he has a duty to his art and to himself, that he is not king o

MASTERY OVER FORM IS NOT HIS GOAL BUT RATHE

here is no need of theory or logic to direct the painter's action. The inner voice of the soul tells him what form he needs, whether inside or outside nature. Every artist knows, who works with feeling, how su

nd one which often proves a cross to be borne. He must realize that his every deed, feeling, and thou

ry man, create a spiritual atmosphere which is either pure or poisonous. (3) These deeds and thoughts are materials for his creations, which themselves exer

e sought only according to the principle of the inner need, and can

PRODUCED BY THE INNER NEED,

othing on earth so curious for beauty or so absorbent of it, as a soul. For that reason few mortal sou

cilitates the slow, scarcely visible but irresisti