In " The Keapers " (piage 128) this idea has apt
illustration. The figure in the foreground is in
contrast with the remaining three, both as an
oppositional line and in his action, the three be-
ing in repose. The single figure, though active,
does not attract as much as the child who re-
ceives importance from the attention of the two
figures. Her position, opposed to the two, turns
the interest back into the group. In all the
compositions by this master one is impressed by
the grace and force of the arrangement. A
small portfolio of his charcoal reproductions or a
few photographs of his pictures should be a part
of the print collection of every artist. No bet-
ter designer of small groups ever lived.
With the amount of good art now coming
from the camera it is strange that no groups of
note have been produced. In the field of pure
portraiture the attempt may as well be aban-
doned. The photographer can at best but miti-
gate conditions. The picture group can only
apply when sacrifice and subordination are pos-
sible.
