| OCR Text |
Show CHAPTER II FUNDAMENTAL PURPOSE "I] from an organic form, whose fitness I am supposed to know, possession of that form, under the title of methods, in variably to reproduce that form, substituting my will for its in herent cause, that is art."-FRAN<;OIS DELSARTE. I take There is no more complete definition of art Francois Delsarte's, It is all comprehensive. If we see a flower, a sunset, a human form, with what Carlyle calls "the seeing eye," and the inherent fitness lends itself to our understand ing, ability, and training, causing us to wish to reveal to others the glory which fins our souls; if we "take possession" of that vision by our technique and training, and re-create this glorious bit of nature with paint or pencil, substituting our will to create, rather than the Definition of Art. than this of natural cause-That Is Art. If we experience a scene or a composite of life which seems fit and appeal and open the spiritual eyes of others to see life in a larger way, and we "take possession of that form" and "substitute" our will for "its inherent cause," and by method, training, and abil ity produce a poem, an essay, a novel, a drama-That Is Art. If the inner man, being in tune with nature, conceives a song, a. great symphony, an opera, which will be fit to make the souls of others sing for pure joy, and he "takes possession of that form," by methods, training, and natural gift, substituting his will for "its inherent cause," producing a symphony, a song, an opera-That will Is Art. If from a great song, symphony, or opera, whose ((fitness" inspires you with a desire to re-create it, in order to give joy, inspiration, greater vision of life to others, and if you "take possession of that form"-that song, symphony, opera-a dead form in black dots and lines-by methods, training, and skill, and translate that form into living, vibrating song, thrilling symphony, or produce an opera which moves thousands, substituting your will. for that inherent cause that was in the heart of the composer-That Is Art. If from a form-a poem, essay, novel, drama-whose "fitness" 12 |
