How to Enjoy Pictures

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1898 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII PICTURES IN THE SCHOOL-ROOM JjNJOYMENT is the first and final purpose of pictures in the school-room. But between the simple, unquestioning delight of early childhood and the thoughtful, intelligent appreciation which develops with the growing years, there is as wide a difference as between the naive drawings of little children and the later purposeful expression which follows conscious study. The early years are precious, and we do well if we make the most of them while they last; for, as naturally as the child grows in body, so he grows in spirit, out of the childish attitude of mind into the long, long thoughts and vague questionings of youth. School children become acquainted with pictures through seeing them on the school-room walls, --a more or less permanent feature of their daily environment, --and also through seeing small photographs, prints, and book illustrations. The movement for placing good art examples on the walls of our public schools is rapidly growing. In many places, however, much preparatory thought and work have to be given to the matter, to insure the placing of good pictures before the children in such a way as to be worthy both of the art examples themselves, and of the educational purpose which they are to serve. 264 In any plan of school-room decoration, its purpose and the use of the room should be borne in mind. The school-room is first of all a study, a workroom, not a parlor. The very construction of the room, its proportions, divisions of spaces by doors, windows, and heating and ventilating apparatus, should be determined by its use; but these proportions and spacings should be as pleasing as may be while conforming to the requirements of a school-room. Architects willingly cooperate with art teachers or others ...