182. _Sir E. Head._ What is your opinion of the present mode of teaching in the life school and the painting school, namely, by visitors constantly changing?--I should think it mischievous. The unfortunate youths, I should imagine, would just get what they could pick up; it would be throwing them crumbs very much as you throw bones to the animals in the Zoological Gardens.
Do you conceive that anything which can be properly called a school, is likely to be formed where the teaching is conducted in that way?--Assuredly not.
183. You stated that in the event of the introduction of lay members into the Academy, you would not think it desirable that they should take part in the selection or hanging of pictures for exhibition. Is not there a great distinction between the selection of the pictures and the hanging of the pictures, and might not they take part in the one without taking part in the other?--I should think hardly. My notion of hanging a picture is to put it low enough to be seen. If small it should be placed near the eye. Anybody can hang a picture, but the question should be, is there good painting enough in this picture to make it acceptable to the public, or to make it just to the artist to show it? And none but artists can quite judge of the workmanship which should entitle it to enter the Academy.
Do you think it depends solely upon the workmanship?--Not by any means solely, but I think that is the first point that should be looked to. An ill-worked picture ought not to be admitted; let it be exhibited elsewhere if you will, but your Academy has no business to let bad work pass. If a man cannot carve or paint, though his work may be well conceived, do not let his work pass. Unless you require good work in your Academy exhibition, you can form no school.
_Mr. Reeve._ Applying the rule you have just laid down, would the effect be to exclude a considerable proportion of the works now exhibited in the Academy?--Yes; more of the Academicians' than of others.
_Sir E. Head._ Selection now being made by technical artists?--No.
_Lord Elcho._ Do you think that none but professional artists are capable of judging of the actual merit or demerit of a painting?--Non-professional persons may offer a very strong opinion upon the subject, which may happen to be right,--or which may be wrong.
