Preserving Marquetry

In recent years there has been an attempt to pass works of mixed media off as marquetry. First, let me define mixed media as an object that combines several mediums to produce a whole. It can be said that it's counterpart in the last century was that of tramp art. That is not to say it is art, but more of a curosity for collectors. Just because something is displayed in a gallery or someone collects it hardly qualifies it as art. Originality is an idea, not an object. Many art galleries display mixed media next to collectibles and this helps blur any distinctiveness which in turn increases the bottom line. I've heard people say that "if it looks like art it must be art". They are wrong and all they need is an education in real art!

Marquetry is marquetry and mixed media is just that. The following hypothesis will illustrate the point. If an object is crafted using ink, fabric, paint, gems and inlaid wood is this then marquetry, a painting, applique or what? None of the above and most likely mixed media. If a bottle of wine has 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 70% Merlot is it the former or the latter? Neither, as it is a Varietal wine which is classified on its own merits. It must be remembered that Andre Jacob Roubo in his L'art du Menuisier in 1774 said marquetry was "painting in wood" not painting on wood or any other such technique. Marquetry has been defined by the ancients who have gone before us and the desire to broaden its scope is not possible.

Marquetry as a craft needs to be elevated to the status of art. True connoisseurs of art already recognize this to some degree. The real detriment to the advancement of marquetry as an art are the purveyors of mixed media. Those that adulterate marquetry to suit their own needs are misguided into believing they are creating something new, even avant-garde, in the hopes of becoming the next Andy Warhol or Georgia O'Keeffe. I have nothing against becoming famous, but not by debasing marquetry. Only God can create something from nothing. Man must destroy in order to make anything. I know a few people who work in various mediums other than marquetry and very few if any create works-of-art. Most can be categorized as Objets de curiosité. Mixed media makes for a good conversation vehicle, but it's called mixed-media for a reason. Lets not litter our museums with articles devoid of any taste, character or style.