"THE CARD PLAYERS."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1494, 17 July 1912, Page 6

"THE CARD PLAYERS."

DENOUNCED BY A CLERGYMAN. A recent addition to the Natiojal Gallery, "The Card Players," was the subject of strong denunciation by Eiv. J. if. Mackay in a short prelude to his sermon at tho Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, Presbyterian Church last night (says the Melbourne "Age" of July 8), Mr. Jlackay said that when the "Bent Tree" was placed in the gallery some p?o----ple said that it. was not worth the money. The unobtrusive beauty of that picture scarcely .suggested the large sum paid for it, but the public could not say this about "The Card Players." There lliey had, naked and unashamed, their money's worth. Yet certain surly,, inartistic souls were dissatisfied even with that masterpiece. He thought that a pot «!' paint thrown on the .wall woald produce- u diviner work. People' were told that they were Philistines, that their opinions proved the need of such' works as. "The Card Players." In a democracy all classes had their rights. Poets and artists—whose . eyes were ever in ( a, fine frenzy rolling—must he tolerated and even conciliated. To meet the .situation Mr. Jlackay said he 'would suggest that a, chamber of supra-mundane or celestial art bo installed in the National Gallery. There "The Card tho "Femmo Couche," and similar creations yet uubought could be displayed. There inspired artists could . revel amidst the sublimities of the dunghill and the etherealities of the tail cud of the human species. Souls emancipated from convention could there find their happy grounds. Into that Holy of Holies the unsanctified would not seek to enter. It was sheer cant to affirm that such pictures were elevating. "Tho Card Players," which was purchased by the National Gallery of Victoria in Wellington from tho Baillio collection for .£6OO, was the subject of a good deal of comment when exhibited here. .