PLATE CXXXI.
DECORATION OF
EXHIBITED BY
This contribution by Messrs. Ackermann to the Great Exhibition affords an agreeable and somewhat rareillustration of the felicity with which those who supply materials to artists may themselves be benefited inreturn, by the exercise of those very studies to the prosecution of which they minister the material requisites.The name of the firm in question has now, for very many years, been intimately connected with the developementof the Fine Arts in England; and we shall scarcely be assigning too much credit to a single individual, if werecord our opinion that, but for the energy and taste of the late Mr. Rudolph Ackermann , the illustrated literatureof England would have been in a far less elevated position than it has assumed in the present day. Connectedas his name was with the principal illustrations of art and elegant accomplishments, from the commencementof his well-known periodical, the “Repository;” connected especially with Orme, in his exceedingly popularwork on Transparencies; with Rowlandson, in the “ Microcosm,” and other works; with Nash, Pyne, andPugin , in their architectural illustrations and designs; with the whole series of Annuals, through his publicationof the foremost of them all, “The Forget-me-Not;” and possessing a peculiar claim to our respect as havinggiven to the world the first English translation of Senefelder’s work on Lithography; we cannot but believethat the influence of Mr. R. Ackermann materially contributed to the dissemination of a general sympathyfor objects in which tasteful and artistic design constitutes a leading element. Contrasted with the elaborateworks which now issue daily from the press, some of the illustrations with which he was associated mayappear imperfect and inferior; but when we compare them with the pretentious deficiencies of Boydell, or theartificial insipidities of Lackington and the “ Temple of the Muses,” we cannot hesitate to ascribe to thema very high degree of merit.
It is a gratifying circumstance to find that the distinguished career of this true patron of art and artistsis no less worthily pursued by his descendants; whose productions were not only rewarded by a Prize Medalin the Great Exhibition , but constantly receive a yet higher meed of approbation in the estimation and substantialencouragement of the public.
One of the subjects which, more than half a century ago, deeply absorbed the attention of the late Mr.Ackermann, was the preparation of water-colours, and the success which he attained in that importantdepartment of his business was warmly appreciated by artists such as Girtin , Sandby, Turner, Havel, andothers,—the fathers of the essentially national art of painting in water-colours. The object which we nowengrave is the cover to a magnificent case, containing specimens which not only serve to show that all theperfection attained by the late Mr. Ackermann has been preserved by his successors, but to illustrate theeffect with which modern science and commercial enterprise have combined to enrich with more varied andglowing tints the resources of the painter’s palette.*
* The case, which measures thirty-one inches by twenty-two, and fifteen inches in depth, contains 100 cakes of water-colours; which, withabout twenty more, constitute the complete series manufactured by Messrs. Ackermann. An easel, a sketch-book, a choice assortment of sable brushes,ornamental alabaster slabs for mixing the colours, with various other implements, all elaborately and carefully prepared, complete the contents ofthe case. The handles and escutcheons are gilt, and the colouring and enamelling of the exterior have been executed by Mr. Davis, from thedesigns of Mr. Sleigh.