Letters: ‘Noblesse oblige,’ a concept sorely lacking

Sam Gallo correctly points out (Oct. 18) that is was “private” money that funded so much of the great art of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Baroque eras. The practice of “noblesse oblige” that Russ Wise referred to in his letter that Gallo responded to was one that was widely practiced in Europe most particularly during the medieval period. The concept was simple: It was the responsibility of those people of rank and privilege to help those who were not so fortunate.

In some cases, it could be brought into question as to how those folks and institutions obtained their wealth, but that is another topic.

Nevertheless, Gallo is correct with his point. “Noblesse oblige” is a concept sorely lacking in this day where greed has become so prevalent and even encouraged by so many voices on the far right.

Of course there are notable exceptions such as Bill and Melinda Gates et al., but it would be great if more of the “1 percent” crowd would look more favorably upon those of us in Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” America.

Whether or not the government should fund the Public Broadcasting Service is a good debate that is being had throughout our country. It should be pointed out, however, that the one and only time that our government actively became involved in the arts provided us with so many of our great national treasures that we enjoy today.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s WPA put artists of all skill levels to work creating public works such as the murals in Allen Hall on the LSU campus. Former Baton Rougean Elise Grenier has beautifully restored these frescoes and they are now more beautiful than ever. The original project was a collaborative effort by LSU students and faculty under the direction of Conrad Albrizio, who painted the frescoes in the State Capitol building.

If you haven’t seen the LSU murals, you should make the effort the next time you are on campus.

It would be great if there were more 21st century Jacopo Gallos (Gallo’s 16th century forefather) instead of the Wall Street bankers that almost returned us to Franklin Roosevelt’s Great Depression. Thank you, President Barack Obama, for heading that off; and, yes, he did; and, yes, we can!

rob carpenter

visual artist

Baton Rouge

Comments

1) Comment by bourbon-soda - 26/10/2012

@nimby? - I forgot who said "everyone's a genius but no one can draw a hand." The other side is, the concept of an elite, nobility, or aristocracy has had a bad time. It is the subject of derision except when someone wants money.

2) Comment by nimby? - 26/10/2012

the great composers also benefited from wealthy financiers . many had affairs with their benefactors' wives . a lot of what is now considered art and music is at best questionable ; we have art without artist , music without musicians . so much for progress ...

3) Comment by InPVille - 26/10/2012

bourbon-soda: : )

4) Comment by bourbon-soda - 26/10/2012

@InPVille - thanks for your comment. I have trouble following mentors' advice to avoid irony and it is ever more difficult to ridicule the ridiculous, which this column is. I agree with your penultimate sentence.

5) Comment by InPVille - 25/10/2012

bourbon-soda: If you want to become a visual artist, you don't need to quit your STEM job. If you have the desire to become an artist, pick a medium that interests you(Pencil, Water Colors, Pastels, Acrylics, Oils, Pen & Ink, etc) and have at it. Taking classes may help. But some achieve a modest level of success through natural talent or through a lot of self-study and dedication. Shame on you for thinking that should you decide to become an artist, people will be obligated to send you money. If your art has any value, people will be willing to shell out their $$ in exchange for one of your works. If it happens to not work out, please don't cut off an ear or shoot yourself in the stomach.

6) Comment by InPVille - 25/10/2012

Noblesse oblige was an idea which held that those of high rank or birth were obligated to provide examples of above average honorable behavior, be generous to the poor and exceed minimal standards of decency. Many of the great works of art in the Middle Ages and Renaissance were commissioned and/or created for the aggrandizement of the church, it's leaders, or political rulers. The grand statutes Michelangelo was commissioned for the Medici and Pope Julius and some of the works commissioned of Leonardo are good examples. I am uncertain to what degree Nobless oblige actually had to do with the art of the time.

7) Comment by bourbon-soda - 25/10/2012

I'm not in the 1% but if I decide to quit my STEM job and become a visual artist in the 47%, people should send me money?

8) Comment by Tea_Slayer - 25/10/2012

Or build a $2 billion mall

9) Comment by DMJ - 25/10/2012

Giving to your church doesn't count. They might use it to build a $28 million Jesusplex instead of helping people in need. They might use it to send someone to bicycle around France instead of fighting the Vietnam War.

10) Comment by bourbon-soda - 25/10/2012

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/19/world-giving-index- us-ran_n_1159562.html

11) Comment by DMJ - 25/10/2012

You'll have the hoopleheads in an uproar over this one, Rob. Still...great letter.