human
These churches and these pictures are certainly very fine, said Paul, as they stopped at a window to rest.
gpt
We don't have them in our country. There isn't a church there that will compare with any of these cathedrals, to say nothing of the celebrated pictures, such as we have just seen.
human
That's very true; and I am thankful that our people make a better use of their money. Here in Belgium, as in most countries of Europe, poverty is the curse of the people. They do not receive the reward of their labor. The government and the church take the lion's share of their earnings, and thus keep them down. This Cathedral was commenced in 1352, and finished in 1411, though another spire was to have been built. Nearly sixty years were employed in its erection, and probably it cost millions of dollars. Of course the people had to pay for it. The greater portion of the expense of it lies dormant here, it being merely an ornamental structure. It gratifies people's tastes, it is true; but God could be acceptably worshipped in a less costly edifice. If the capital locked up in this church had been invested in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions, it would be a blessing to the country. What is paid in Europe to build these grand structures for worship, and to support the trappings of royalty, is in our own country appropriated to public schools; and the nation reaps the benefit of them every year of its existence.
gpt
That's so, replied Paul, emphatically;
human
That's right; you are an American to the core,
gpt
But I don't see any reason why we should not have as great painters in the United States as in Europe,
human
I do see the reason. Probably we have just as much talent for art in our nation, but the people find that it doesn't pay so well as developing the resources of a new country. When it is possible in America for a man to win the wealth and distinction which Rubens won, we shall be as successful in art as Europe has been; for Washington Allston, Benjamin West, and others have demonstrated the capacity of our people in this direction. The encouragement which artists receive makes the men. There are not many persons in our country who are willing to pay ten, fifty, or a hundred thousand dollars for a picture. So much money in a painting is dead capital among an energetic people who need all they can get to carry on agricultural, commercial, and manufacturing enterprises.
gpt
Of course people will follow that calling which pays best, either in money or in reputation.
human
Certainly, and the number of Dutch and Flemish artists assures us that painting has been a cherished art in the Low Countries. Vandyck was another celebrated painter of this country. He was born in Antwerp, and was a pupil of Rubens. There is a story that The Descent from the Cross was thrown down by the carelessness of a student, and badly injured by the fall. Vandyck, who was then a pupil of the great Flemish master, undertook to repair the mischief with his brush, and did it so well that Rubens declared the work was superior to his own. This story is current in the guide-books, and in the mouths of the _commissionaires_, who point out the places on the face of the Virgin and on the arm of one of the Marys where the pupil touched it up. But there is no truth in it, since the picture was hung up in the Cathedral before Vandyck entered the studio of Rubens.
gpt
I suppose these people like to tell good stories, whether true or not.
human
Yes; and you will find a man up in this steeple who believes that his spire is the tallest in the world,