p. 101 | Prize Work

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 1, 1883

Prize Work.

Work done in order to win a prize is not likely to be one's best work. A "prize story," or a "prize picture," or a prize artistic design of any kind, is rarely first-class work in its line. It may, indeed, be better than its competitors—although that is not a certainty; but it is hardly possible that the highest and noblest activities of mind and heart should be drawn forth merely to win a prize. When one is thoroughly absorbed in work for his work's sake, or for the sake of one dear to him, he is in a way to put his whole soul into his endeavors, as he could not be in the mere purpose of going ahead of rivals. A good illustration of this truth is given in a recent sketch of the life of Giovanni Dupre, an Italian sculptor, who died in Florence a year ago. After several attempts—more or less successful—at winning prizes by artistic execution, Dupre was working hard for another prize, when word came to him that the proffered prize was withdrawn. "In his first fury of disappointment, he dashed his model to the ground, and broke it to pieces. And yet this very passion was but another step to his fame; for in his repentance he determined to atone for it by some grand work--a work which should live, and which he would produce alone, with no thought of winning prizes, and with no help from the academies. Then it was that he designed and wrought his Death of Abel, on which his future fame was builded; and which can never be forgotten by one who has looked on it in the Pitti Palace, in Florence. Had Dupre continued to work for prizes, his best energies would never have been called forth; and his permanent reputation would never have been secured. And so in every department of mental activity; prize-offering and prize-seeking cannot bring out the best that is in those who are possessed of high possibilities.—