Copyright © 2019 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
The same year that Walter W. Burridge passed away, an interesting article was written about the demise of the decorative painting business. Many scenic artists and studios relied on decorative painting work. Ornate auditoriums and picturesque murals were often the work of the same artists who delivered the stock scenery and stage machinery. However, the world of painting and its place in the theatre industry was changing.
“The Truth About the Painting Business,” was included in “The Road to Success,” was a publication by the Charles Kraut Academy of Decorative Art in Chicago. Here is an the article that especially resonates with the state of scenic art today:
“The Truth About the Painting Business.
Of great importance to every man interested in the Painting and Decorating Business, be he Master or Workingman.
READ CAREFULLY AND EVERY LINE OF IT.
The Painting business in the United States and Canada has been on the downward grade for a number of years. Every painter knows this and has wondered why it is that the Painter is classed now with the unskilled laborer, where in fact he ought to be considered a high grade and skillful mechanic.
The reason is that the great majority of the Master Painters, as well as the Painter in general, have neglected to go with the times. The majority are satisfied with the “unskilled labor” part of the business. They are satisfied if they can even make a few dollars out of a job, which they got away, perhaps through unfair competition, from the other fellow, where by rights he ought to make good money and have twice the amount of work on the same job. Now-a-days a painter, if he thinks at all, thinks and tries to invent new mixtures to skin the work still more to beat his competitor, while by rights he ought to strive and learn something that the other fellow does not know and start in on a competition of skill, and persuade to House owners to have rooms decorated in refined taste. This will give him more work to do on individual jobs, he will be able to employ the working men longer, he will get more money for the job, he will be recognized as an artist and he will get more satisfaction and pleasure out of the work.
Now comes the objection that every painter springs on me, and that is: The public in general does not know anything about Art, the people are not educated in this direction and are well pleased with “wall paper” which is cheaper. I admit that this is true, but who’s fault is it tat the public is ignorant of Art, and especially Decorative Art?
“It is the duty of the Painter to educate the general public. The general public is willing, even anxious, to be educated in this line, every house owner, or the lady of every household will gladly listed to a painter in the direction, providing the painter knows what he is talking about and has a reputation in this direction; and as it stands now, there is only about one Painter in every hundred who can carry on a conversation of this sort which he will convenience the head of the household that he is able to carry out what he proposes. It is a wonder that people prefer to have their homes tinted in plain colors or are satisfied with wall paper? Is it a wonder that they do not ask the painter to think up some decorative scheme for their rooms? They do not trust the man, because he does not make the suggestion himself, and consequently class him with the unskilled laborer.
In Europe, the general public is educated in this direction, and no flat, no matter how small, is without some decoration, free-hand work, while all the Residences, Churches, Theatres, etc. are elaborately decorated. Well, who would educate the people in Europe? Do you suppose this line is taught in the public schools? No, the Painter did this; in Europe competition in skill is considered first and above the competition twice
[Me: Re-read the last line, as this was the case in American until a notable shift occurred during the 1890s].
Is it not high time that something is done to regain the prestige of the Painter in this Country and to get more and better work at higher profits?
This can only be done by first educating the individual Master Painter and workingman, and he in turn is bound to educate the general public. It is high time that a move in this direction should be taken. Every Master Painter and Painter has the opportunity now to educate himself and at very little expense. Of course he can not learn in a month or one year everything which a practical Decorator must know, but he can gradually educate himself by practicing during his spare hours at home, an opportunity that is not given the painter in Europe.
A man who can afford to practices and study for about three months at a stretch every year (during Winter) will do wonders in that line. A man can become a skilled and high grade mechanic only be devoting his spare tie to study and practice for a year or two, and if he makes up his mind to succeed, he cannot fail, if he practices as much as is necessary, and he will never regret having taken the trouble.
At every Convention of Master Painters and Painters so far, it has always been emphasized that it is necessary to educate the Painter in the business,-the school question has always been a leading item, If the Master Painters and Painters will only co-operate in the direction laid down by me, a revolution in our profession is sure to come. Educate yourself, tell your men to acquire and education in the business and to become Decorators, and the education of the public is bound to follow.
Do not be afraid of over-production in this line. Only the narrow man will think it. There is no over-production in Europe, although schools have been turning out Decorators for over 100 years, and the schools are still growing. The more Decorators there are, the more the general public will become educated in this line. Within a short time competition in skill will take place in the painting and decorating business in this Country, and the man not educated in this line will have to be satisfied to be known and classed with the laborer, while the other man who gets an education in the decorating business will have the opportunity and ability to complete with the man who is taking the extra cream of the work now, and by that competition in skill will ensue. Your old customers will certainly have more respect for you, if you can prove that you are able to execute artistic work.
It is high time that a move in this direction should be started, because the most beautiful of all styles in decorative work is coming to us now. This is the “Up-to-date Conception of the Italian Renaissance,” a style in which very elaborate Ornaments, Flowers and Figures are employed, To be able to do this kind of work, a schooling is absolutely necessary, as the work is all frees-hand, and stencils will not be used, You can watch this style breaking through everywhere. Look at the new Furniture, Frames, or Wood-work (trim) of high grade work, go to the leading Hotels and look at the Banquet Halls and Lobbies which have been decorated recently, and you will see the new direction, Within two of three years it will be in full swing, and you ought to prepare yourself and also tell your men to prepare themselves to be able to meet the demand when it comes.”
But a world war was just waiting around the corner, and the education that he spoke of took a different turn. This sets the groundwork for Thomas G. Moses 1914 entry in August.
To be continued…
Here are a few examples of decorative painting at Schloss Rosenau in Austria. Here is one of many links about this interesting building: https://www.inspirock.com/austria/schloss-rosenau/osterreichisches-freimaurermuseum-im-schloss-rosenau-a1254825113
