Archives Scrapbooks

The image shows two pages from a printed article titled "Is American Art Degraded?" The text discusses the state of art in America, highlighting several key points:

1. Depradation of Art in America:

   • The article suggests that the quality of art in America has degraded.
   • It notes that many museums and private collections are filled with mediocre art, and that artists have been driven abroad to seek inspiration and cultural background.

2. Education and Aesthetics:

   • The article criticizes the lack of emphasis on aesthetics in American education, comparing it unfavorably to disciplines like law, medicine, and physics.
   • It argues that the development of aesthetics is crucial for the appreciation of art and that the current educational system fails to instill this appreciation in students.

3. Grant Wood and the University of Iowa:

   • The article mentions Grant Wood, a notable American artist, and his impact on the University of Iowa.
   • It highlights that Wood's work has brought attention to Iowa and has influenced the artistic community there.

4. Criticism of Contemporary Art:

   • The article criticizes contemporary art for being too influenced by foreign trends and for lacking originality.
   • It suggests that American art has become too commercialized and lacks the depth and cultural significance it once had.

5. In Rebuttal:

   • A section titled "In Rebuttal" by P.T. Rathbone, Director of the City Art Museum of St. Louis, defends American art.
   • Rathbone argues that Grant Wood's work is a testament to the vitality of American art and that Wood's success is a sign of the potential for American artists to achieve greatness.

The article is a critique of the state of American art and education, with a focus on the need for a stronger emphasis on aesthetics and the importance of supporting original American artistic expression.

The image displays a page from a magazine article titled "Is American Art Degraded?" by P. T. Rathbone, Director of the City Art Museum of St. Louis, published in the June 1948 issue of a magazine.

The article discusses several key points regarding the state of American art:

1. Museums and Patronage: It criticizes the influence of snobbery in museums, where wealthy patrons and museum directors often dictate the art that is considered valuable. This creates a disconnect with the cultural heritage of the American people.

2. Education in Art: The article points out that the discipline of esthetics (art appreciation) in schools and universities is often trivialized and lacks depth. Students are taught to blindly accept foreign art as superior, ignoring the potential for original American art.

3. Impact of Prefabricated Art: It argues that the influence of imported art and the lack of original American creativity have led to a situation where art is viewed as a mere commodity, rather than a reflection of genuine cultural expression.

4. Example at the University of Iowa: The article highlights the University of Iowa's Department of Art and Aesthetics, which has become overly focused on foreign art, neglecting the local and regional artistic heritage.

5. Critique of Mr. Craven's Exhibition: The article mentions an exhibition in Iowa by Mr. Craven, which was described as an attempt to promote American art through a "provincial" perspective. The article questions the effectiveness of such efforts and the broader implications for the preservation of American art.

The article concludes by expressing concerns about the lack of originality in American art and the need for a more balanced and locally rooted approach to art education and appreciation.

The image depicts two pages of a printed article. The left page is titled “Is American Art Degraded?” and discusses the decline of art in America, the role of museums, and the influence of foreign art and academics. It critiques the emphasis on aesthetics and theory over practical art-making, blaming the education system and critics for this state. The right page is a rebuttal titled “In Rebuttal, cont’d,” by P.T. Rathbone, Director of the City Art Museum of St. Louis. Rathbone defends the state of American art, criticizing the original article's author for lacking understanding of the local art scene and true American culture. Rathbone also praises the originality and quality of art produced in America, highlighting the unique contributions of regional artists and the vibrant art community.

The image contains a two-page spread from a publication discussing the state of American art and its criticism.

Left Page (Page 70):

Title/Theme: The text discusses the academic discipline of aesthetics and the influence of foreign art on American museums and education.

Content:

1. Aesthetics and Academic Influence:

   • The article argues that the academic discipline of aesthetics is not inherently valuable but has a significant influence.
   • Many directors of major American museums, who often come from wealthy backgrounds and elite educations, have spread the notion that art must be understood through strict mental discipline.

2. Supervision of Art:

   • The supervision of art was once mainly in the hands of the upper class who primarily collected European art.
   • This has led to a cultural background where American native heritage was often overlooked or undervalued.

3. Art Education and Intellectualization:

   • Art education in universities has become intellectualized, favoring theoretical understanding over creative expression.
   • The author criticizes the small group of critics who have significantly influenced the perception of original American art, suggesting that this group has a bias toward European art.

4. Impact on American Artists:

   • American artists have been led to believe that their cultural background and native heritage are not valuable, resulting in a lack of confidence in their own work.
   • This situation has created a scenario where contemporary art is often seen as something distant and foreign.

Right Page (Page 71):

Title/Theme: The rebuttal to an article criticizing American art and the response by P.T. Rathbone, Director of the City Art Museum of St. Louis.

Content:

1. Critique of the Exhibition:

   • The exhibition rooms at the university are described as extreme examples of abstract, expressionist, and surrealist art, which are disconnected from the local environment and culture.

2. Grant Wood’s Perspective:

   • The article references Grant Wood, an American painter, who expressed concerns about the conditions of Iowa life and culture being ignored in favor of foreign influences.
   • Wood believed that art should reflect local life and conditions.

3. Response to Art Degeneration Argument:

   • The rebuttal argues that the previous article paints a negative and narrow view of American art and its education.
   • It mentions that the work of professors and students in prestigious schools often reflects a broader, more inclusive understanding of art.

4. P.T. Rathbone’s Rebuttal:

   • Rathbone criticizes the original article for delivering a narrow-minded critique and for being an affront to American art and artists.
   • He argues that the article's negative portrayal of contemporary art education does not reflect the true diversity and richness of American artistic endeavors.

General Summary:

The two-page spread presents a debate on the state of American art. The left page discusses the perceived elitism and foreign influence in art education and museums, while the right page offers a rebuttal to an article that criticized American art, defending the value and diversity of American art education and expression. P.T. Rathbone, in particular, defends the efforts of museums and educational institutions in nurturing a rich and varied art scene in the United States.

The image contains two pages from a magazine or journal dated June 1948. The articles discuss the state of art and aesthetics in America.

Left Page:

The left page is titled "Is American Art Degraded?" and discusses the decline of art appreciation and education in America. Key points include:

1. Decline of Art Education and Appreciation:

   • The article criticizes the snobbish attitude towards art, which has led to its degradation.
   • It highlights the influence of foreign art critics and educators who have spread a toxic propaganda that art must be imported to be authentic.
   • This has led to a situation where art is viewed as a commodity rather than a cultural heritage.

2. Cultural Heritage:

   • The article argues that American art has been sidelined in favor of European art, leading to a lack of appreciation for native artistic expressions.
   • It mentions that the development of aesthetics as a discipline has been influenced by foreign ideas, leading to an academic focus that is disconnected from the reality of art and the local culture.

3. Examples of Decline:

   • The article gives the example of the University of Iowa, where a professor of aesthetics has been influential in promoting European art over American art.
   • It criticizes the lack of understanding of the local artistic heritage and the conditions that led to the current state of art in America.

Right Page:

The right page continues the discussion under the heading "IN REBUTTAL."

1. Criticism of Mr. Craven's Exhibition:

   • P.T. Rathbone, Director of the City Art Museum of St. Louis, rebuts the ideas presented in the previous article.
   • Rathbone argues that Mr. Craven's exhibition, which was intended to promote American art, has instead been criticized for promoting a provincial view and not truly representing American art.

2. Critique of Mr. Craven's Approach:

   • Rathbone expresses concern that Mr. Craven's efforts to promote American art are not constructive and lack a genuine understanding of American culture.
   • He suggests that Mr. Craven's ideas are more aligned with a "provincial tribe" rather than a broad, inclusive view of American art.
   • Rathbone concludes by saying that Mr. Craven’s approach has not contributed to the elevation of American art but rather to its further degradation.

Overall, the articles present a debate on the state of American art, focusing on the influence of foreign art, the role of education, and the importance of recognizing and promoting native artistic expressions.

The image contains an excerpt from a 1948 magazine or newspaper article titled "Is American Art Degraded?" The text discusses the state of art and art education in America, critiquing the influence of foreign tastes and the intellectualization of art.

Key points from the text include:

1. Critique of Art Education:

   • The article laments the degradation of art in America, attributing it to the influence of foreign tastes and the intellectualization of art.
   • It mentions that many museums and art institutions were initially established by wealthy patrons and directors, who brought in foreign art to educate the public about art history and culture.
   • This approach led to an emphasis on foreign art and an oversimplification of art education, focusing on the superficial aspects of aesthetics rather than fostering original American expression.

2. Academic Influence:

   • The author criticizes the academic discipline of esthetics, suggesting it is trivial and divorced from the practical aspects of art.
   • Students are taught to view art as a commodity, rather than as a living, evolving form of expression.

3. Cultural Homogenization:

   • The article argues that American art has become a mere imitation of European styles and tastes, losing its unique identity.
   • It highlights that art education in American schools and universities often fails to nurture originality, instead promoting a superficial understanding of art.

4. Specific Example:

   • The article points to the University of Iowa as an example where the department of Art and Aesthetics has drifted away from producing authentic American art, instead favoring a more academic and foreign-oriented curriculum.
   • It mentions a professor who has been teaching art and aesthetics without producing any significant American art, contributing to the perceived degradation of American art.

5. Critique of a Specific Critic:

   • There is a rebuttal to a critique by Mr. Craven, who is described as not being familiar with the broader context of American art.
   • The rebuttal argues that Craven's criticism lacks depth and understanding of the broader cultural and educational issues affecting American art.

6. Conclusion:

   • The article concludes with a call for a reevaluation of art education and the promotion of original American art, rather than merely importing and imitating foreign styles.

The overall tone of the article is critical and somewhat nostalgic, reflecting a desire to revive and promote authentic American artistic expression.

The image shows two pages from a publication, with printed text in columns discussing topics related to art, museums, exhibitions, and aesthetics. The left page appears to be concluding remarks about the influence of museums on art and the notion that American art is suffering from a sense of degradation, touching on various aspects like the commercialization of art and the education in aesthetics. The right page contains the continuation of an article titled "IN REBUTTAL" by P. T. Rathbone, the director of the City Art Museum of St. Louis. It discusses counter-arguments to a previous article or stance, raising points about the role of museums, critics, and the distinction between fine arts and more provincial art forms. References are made to specific examples and perspectives regarding American art. The continuation note at the bottom suggests that the article carries on to the next page. There's a partial date visible ('48 June), which could indicate the publication date as June 1948.

The image shows two pages from a printed article or magazine. The text discusses the topic of art in America, focusing on the degradation of art due to snobbery, foreign influences, and the impact of certain educators in universities and museums. It mentions the negative influence of professors who favor foreign imports over native cultural heritage, leading to a decline in art appreciation and creation in America.

The article also criticizes the exhibition practices of some institutions, exemplified by the University of Iowa, accusing them of showcasing art with little relevance to the local culture and reality. It touches on the role of estheticians and the rejection of native tastes and intelligence.

A section titled "IN REBUTTAL" on the right page is authored by P. T. Rathbone, Director of the City Art Museum of St. Louis, responding to the article. Rathbone defends the art community against criticism, praises Mr. Craven's promotion of American art, and disputes accusations of provincialism and lack of knowledge among museum officials. The rebuttal highlights a tension between criticism and defense of American art institutions.

The pages are numbered 70 and 71, and the article appears to be part of a continuing discussion on whether American art is in decline, with the title "Is American Art Degraded?" visible at the bottom of page 71. There is also a small illustration or photo of a person on the right page, but it is partially obscured.

The image is a photograph of two pages from a magazine or journal. The pages are placed side by side and appear to be from the same issue.

The left page is numbered "70" at the bottom left corner, and the right page is numbered "71" at the bottom right corner. The pages contain text in two columns, with a header at the top of each page.

The header on the left page reads "IS AMERICAN ART DEGRADED?" and the header on the right page reads "IN REBUTTAL."

The text on both pages is written in a serif font and is divided into paragraphs. The text on the left page discusses the degradation of art in America, while the text on the right page appears to be a rebuttal or response to the claims made on the left page.

There is a small photograph of a man in the bottom right corner of the right page, but it is not clear who the man is or what his connection to the article is.

Overall, the image appears to be a photograph of two pages from a magazine or journal that discuss the state of art in America and the debate surrounding it.

The image appears to be a double-page spread from a magazine or journal article. The text is divided into two columns, with the left column discussing the decline of American art and the right column providing a rebuttal to the claims made in the left column.

The left column argues that American art has become degraded due to factors such as the influence of European art, the lack of a native American art tradition, and the commercialization of art. It suggests that American artists have become imitators and imitators of European styles, and that the art establishment has become snobbish and elitist.

The right column, titled "In Rebuttal," provides a counterargument to the claims made in the left column. It argues that American art is not as degraded as claimed and that there are many examples of original and innovative American art. It also criticizes the left column's focus on the decline of American art as a distraction from the real issues facing the art world, such as the commercialization of art and the lack of support for artists.

The image also includes a photograph of a man, possibly the author of the right column, with a caption that reads "By P. T. Rathbone, Director, City Art Museum of St. Louis." This suggests that the article may have been published in a magazine or journal associated with the City Art Museum of St. Louis.

Overall, the image appears to be a debate or discussion about the state of American art, with two sides presenting their arguments and counterarguments.