WOMAN’S WORLD.

Patea Mail, 4 June 1881, Page 4

WOMAN’S WORLD.

The judges appointed to examine the ex hibits in. the Ladies’ Court in the Melbourne Exhibition hare shown in two departments a courage and judgment which augur well for their decisions in other branches; and which will be heartily endorsed by all who are interested in the work of women, whether’ undertaken for pleasure, or as a , source of profit. Our own Ladies’ Court was disfigured by numerous articles, misnamed wool-work, pictures in which, with an absolute violation of all rules in color, shade or form, well-known subjects were caricatured at an immense sacrifice of time and labor on the part of the worker, and with a result which in the most successful case was a lamentable failure, and in the majority of instances contributed to the number of productions by which art is degraded. No subject was too sacred, too pathetic, or too ambitious. The Last Supper; The marriage feast at Cana, The parting of Charles I. from his children, battle pieces, hunting scenes, and so forth have been selected, and the hideous productions framed and glazed to the constant torture of any-one possessing the smallest claim to a love of beauty in form or color. The Melbourne exhibitors followed in the same train, and we rejoice to see that the judges have unanimously agreed that “ the wool-pictures have no art value,” and are not entitled to any prize. So also with the patchwork quilts, which are no longer the proceeds of patient sewing together ,of tiny scraps carefully treasured, but the machine-sewn productions of materials cut in pieces for the purpose of joining—devoid of beauty or harmony, valuable only as trophies of time ill-spent; these have been similarly condemned, and the action of the judges will, we trust, prevent such displays at future exhibitions. Art in the domestic surroundings is low enough throughout the colonies ; the Germans are trying their best to foster a love of art in all ranks, by providing art schools presided over by artists of acknowledged skill. We may not be able to follow them in this yet, but we may at least take care that our children’s tastes shall not be vitiated by allowing them to spend school or leisure hours in producing specimens destructive of any innate talent they may possess. 'A shilling photograph, or an oleograph which would cost three or four shillings, will.give a child a far better impression of any set subject than can be gained from months of labor and a considerable outlay of money in making a needlework picture. Arabesque patterns afford good opportunities for learning the mysteries of the stitches in needlework ; and, under good guidance, for a harmonious blending and contrasting of colors, and to the more expert flowers offer great inducement for elaborate and attractive work, but we trust the reign of the so-called pictures is over.— N.Z. Times.