Dante Gabriel Rossetti
(1828-1882)was a renowned English poet and painter. One day, an old man
approached him with a few paintings. They were the old man's recent works. He
wanted Rossetti's comments about the quality of his paintings. Rossetti
examined them in detail and found that they displayed little merit and lacked any value for sale. Being a very
kind artist, Rossetti explained the facts without hurting the feelings of the
old man.
The old man thanked him for his comments and
then produced another set of old paintings, explaining that they were the works
of a young artist. Rossetti was obviously much impressed by the superb quality
of the second set of paintings and told the old man that the young man was
really talented and had a bright,
brilliant and promising future and with
proper encouragement and training, he would one day become a world-renowned
painter with excellent and exquisite contributions.
The old man was greatly moved by these
words. Tears rolled down his wrinkled cheeks. Rossetti asked him about the
young artist. "Is he your son?", he enquired.
The
old man replied, "No, Sir, the young man was myself. I painted these about
fifty years ago. If anyone had expressed a word of sincere appreciation at that
time, I would have developed my talents properly and become a great painter by
this time!" I got discouraged in my early years and gave up all attempts
to develop my talents.
Unfortunately there was no one
to discover the hidden talents in him in his early years. A word of
appreciation can work wonders. Appreciation and encouragement have motivated
and changed the lives of many and have enabled them to achieve success and greatness
in their profession.
Let us encourage one another
and be concerned for one another. George Adam said, "Encouragement is
oxygen to the soul."
.....................................................................................................................................................
© By Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University
of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's
College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School,
Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath,
Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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