Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 9.djvu/49

 George Fuller. 37

unwearied searching, and constant trial by circumstances, and through it all he

and correction, the complete idea was was impelled to steps which he might

expressed at last. never have taken of his own accord.

When a painter produces works in He was drawn by influences that he

this strange fashion, an involved and could not control into his fruitful course

confused manner of technical treatment of study and experience at Deerfield,

becomes inevitable. The schools, which where his farm gave him support, and

glorify manual skill and the swift and permitted him to indulge in an un-

exhilarating production of effects, can- embarrassed practice of his art ; then,

not appreciate it, for all their teaching when his time was ripe, he was driven

is opposed to the principle that makes by the sharp lash of financial embar-

technique subordinate to idea, and they rassment into the world again. Eight

cannot look with favor upon a man who years ago he reappeared in Boston, with

boldly reverses everything. The perfect about a dozen paintings of landscapes,

art undoubtedly rests upon a combina- ideal heads, and small figures, which

tion of sublime thought and entire were exhibited and promptly sold amid

command of resources, but while we every expression of interest and favor,

wait for this we shall not make mistake Confirmed and strengthened in his

if we consider the effective, even if un- belief by this success, he again estab-

licensed, expression of idea superior to lished his studio here, and began that

a facility that has become cheap from series of remarkable works which have

hundreds mastering it yearly. We can- given him a place among the greatest

not close our eyes to Fuller's technical of American painters. The touch of

faults and weaknesses, but his pictures popular favor quickened him into a

would undeniably be a less precious lofty and quiet enthusiasm, and stimu-

heritage to American art than they now lated both his imagination and his

are, if he had not been great enough to descriptive powers. During all his

perceive that academic skill becomes experience at Deerfield a certain lack of

weak by just so much as it is magnified, self-confidence seems to have prevented

and is strong only when viewed in its him from making any large endeavor,

just relation, as the means to an end. but with his convictions endorsed by

We perplex and confuse ourselves in the public, he attempted at once to

studying his work, and are naturally a labor on a more ambitious scale. He

little irritated that he keeps his secret broadened his canvases, and increased

of power so well ; yet we cannot help the size of his figures and landscapes,

feeling that his style is wonderfully and where he was before sweet and

adapted to the end in view, and per- inviting, became strong and impressive,

haps the only appropriate medium for yet still holding all his former qualities,

the expression of a habit of thought The first year of his new residence in

that is as peculiar as itself. Schools Boston saw the production of The

will insist, and with reason, upon work- Dandelion Girl, a light-hearted, care-

ing by rule ; yet in art, as in other dis- less creature, full of a life that had no

cipline of teaching, genius does not touch of responsibility, and descriptive

develop itstlf until it escapes from its of a joyous and ephemeral mood. A

instructors. long step forward was taken in The

Mr. Fuller's life was constantly swayed Romany Girl, which immediately fol-

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