1778

Paris
Yesterday I was so fortunate to receive a formal invitation to one
of Pariss more prestigious art shows. I was very much pleased to see
that there was a great deal of art that carried a lot of moral and
esthetic values. Great works from artist such as Angelica Kauffman
and Benjamin West. Their paintings really define what an artist should
aspire to create. Their technique of brush strokes are simply divine by
hiding the artists touch, it gives the composition an almost godly feel.
The references to ancient Greece and the stories that are behind them
really do serve the public as the greater good. Unfortunately the
gallery owner thought it would be fashionable to include frivolous
works from the dated artist Jean-Honore Fragonard. It was the specific
piece named the Secret Meeting that really disturbed my moral
judgment as critique. It seemed that the artist decided to use an
exceedingly excessive amount a free strokes. I believe that the artist
was undoubtedly attempting to tell the audience that this work came
from nowhere and no one except the great artist. This apparent tool
that the artist has used seems to be quite arrogant in manner.
Fragonard decides to bring attention to the background of the painting,
which again does a great disservice to the audience. The viewers
should be brought to the foreground not to be distracted by what ever
does not matter morally. Fragonard has also put too much texture in

the flower and stone in the foreground that again, distracts the viewer
from the main theme of the composition. The story behind this
painting is that supposedly there are two lovers who decide to meet
secretly. This main theme is what disturbs me as a critique to most out
of all the elements, which I have found to be unforgivable in todays
standards of art. There is nothing to learn from this painting and there
is nothing to teach from this painting, it is for sheer cheap amusement.
The idea of a man and woman meeting for love does not attempt to
incite morality or judgment to the viewer. This idea only plagues the
mind with simple feelings and emotions, not with morality and lessons.
The one thing that I did understand was the use of characters such as
Venus and cupid. This resembles the forces that are driving these two
lovers together. If any was to save this composition from wastefulness
Fragonard should have depicted the result of this relationship in order
to teach the viewer a lesson. Art catches the attention of the public
and it can encourage decisions of morality and justice in others as well.
it is the artists responsibility to encourage the public to question
todays values and for people to start realizing their responsibility as a
citizen in todays society. We must look to the past when we search for
these stories, which some have been forgotten but it is our
responsibility as artists to educate the general public. I artist decide to
just paint subjects just for the sake of feeling and emotion, the public
will seize to think for themselves. The public will be amused by cheap

tricks in order to feel good, but they are no longer thinking for
themselves. These are the responsibilities that lie in the hands of the
artist for he is the one communicating directly with the public.
Furthermore this is why I believe that Jean Honore Fragonards the
Secret Meeting has failed the public and artistically represents ideals
of the past.

BY: James Millar