does not make it the less mischievous. Freshness of vision the
child has, and freshness of vision is an important element in the
new movement. But beyond this a parallel is non-existent, must be
non-existent in any art other than pure artificiality. It is one
thing to ape ineptitude in technique and another to acquire
simplicity of vision. Simplicity--or rather discrimination of
vision--is the trademark of the true Post-Impressionist. He
OBSERVES and then SELECTS what is essential. The result is a
logical and very sophisticated synthesis. Such a synthesis will
find expression in simple and even harsh technique. But the
process can only come AFTER the naturalist process and not before
it. The child has a direct vision, because his mind is
unencumbered by association and because his power of
concentration is unimpaired by a multiplicity of interests. His
method of drawing is immature; its variations from the ordinary
result from lack of capacity.

Two examples will make my meaning clearer. The child draws a
landscape. His picture contains one or two objects only from the
number before his eyes. These are the objects which strike him as
important. So far, good. But there is no relation between them;
they stand isolated on his paper, mere lumpish shapes. The Post-
Impressionist, however, selects his objects with a view to
expressing by their means the whole feeling of the landscape. His
choice falls on elements which sum up the whole, not those which
first attract immediate attention.

Again, let us take the case of the definitely religious picture.

[Footnote: Religion, in the sense of awe, is present in all true