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Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters
volume IV (1876-1877)
Payne, Alford
Art as education, pp. [31]-43
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Page 43
Art as Education. effect of light and shadow; slight artistic sketches of natural ob- jects. 2. In higher schools, practice on more complex designs from nature, and on good copies from antique and modern statu- ary; this should be accompanied by some instruction in the first principles of art, and the connection between the arts in their na- ture and influence. 3. Connected with every state system of edu- cation, should be an art professorship. The incumbent should devote all his time to the duties of his office, instructing teachers in the cities, and students in the normal schools, visiting them periodically, lecturing on the elements of art, and directing them in their practice. He should also attend all educational conven- tions within the limits of his state, and create and continue an interest on this important matter; and, 4. In each of our colleges and universities, should be an Art Department, supplied with a museum of works of art of all kinds; these should be added to constantly, by gifts from all sides, and the collection would grow with the institution. Each institution should support a professor of the history and principles of art; and lectures and systematic teaching of the history of schools and styles should be given, and of the philosophy of all the arts, illustrated by specimens always at hand, in the museum. When this state of things exists, the reproach of such general ignorance will pass away; and this will be the smallest gain. Then love of art will be sincere, and intelligent; and love of na- ture also will increase. Then will beauty come to us as truth. Then will we feel and know the truth, that "Freely through Beauty's morning gate, Canst thou to knowledge penetrate; The mind, to face truth's higher glances, Must swim sometime in Beauty's trances The heavenly, harping of the muses, Whose sweetest trembling through thee rings A higher life into the soul infuses, And wings the upward to thee soul of things." 43
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