Don’t Insult Me with Your Art!

I must return to W. Somerset Maugham because his insults pack the usual vinegar and acid punch. This one's from his autobiographical novel Of Human Bondage. Foinet, an art teacher, takes aim at Fanny and her dreadful paintings: “Do you wish to tell me it is good? It isn’t. Do you wish me to say it has merit? It hasn’t. Do wish me to show you what is wrong with it? It is all wrong. Do you wish me to tell you what do to with it? Tear it up. Do you expect to earn a living as an artist? Then it is my duty to tell you that you are wasting your time. It would not matter that you have no talent, talent does not run about in the streets these days, but you don’t even have the beginning of talent. How long have you been here? A child of five after two lessons would draw better than you. I only say one thing to you, give up this hopeless attempt. You’re more likely to earn your living as a maid than as a painter.”