Notes From The Art Section Of A Library: With Hints On Selection And Buying (1905) - Tapa dura

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Speaking generally, the objects of a public library are: (1) to recreate, rest, please; (2) to instruct, enlighten, satisfy the desire for knowledge; (3) to improve, elevate, morally and spiritually; (4) to inspire, vitalize, which is an intenser degree of (3). These are the main objects also of the art section, but there is added a special quality arising from the subject matter, art. 1B esides the pleasure that comes from the story of a picture, as it might from a novel, is the pleasure derived from the artistic excellence of the picture because it is well painted, in drawing, color, composition. 2B esides the geographic, historical, biographic or ethnologic knowledge that pictures give, there is the knowledge of art styles and methods, of art history, and of the artist himself. 3B esides moral or spiritual improvement there is growth in appreciation of beauty, improvement of artistic perception and judgment, of eye and taste. By many persons it would be asserted that this special work of the art section is its chief or only raison detre. With the third, moral or spiritual improvement, as distinguished from artistic, your selection will have very little to do. It is true that, as is said in Colonel Newcome sfavorite quotation, I ngenuas didicisse iideliter artes, etc., to have faithfully learned the ingenuous arts softens manners and does not allow men to be savages. Undoubtedly familiarity with and love for great works of art in the main tend to disincline a man for mob violence or for gross enjoyments, to encourage the kindlier feelings and religious reverence where they already exist; though it must be acknowledged that even great knowledge of art or exquisite skill as an artist is not incompatible in certain natures with complete selfishness.
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)

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