Class XXX.] SCULPTURE AX'D WORKS OF PLASTIC APT. — AWARDS AXD NOTICES. C03
the form is modelled with a knowledge and truth of de-tail which are seldom found in the English school, lliswork has, therefore, obtained the Prize Medal.
In the statue of Falkland (in plaster, p. 847), executedfor the new Houses of Parliament, the same sculptor Lasdisplayed a mastery rarely attained in portraiture; theconception is very spirited, the treatment throughoutstrictly Plastic; the figure is remarkable for its noblepresence, and its attitude of calm and dignified repose.
The following artists also exhibit, in their styles, theapplication of just principles of art:—
P. MacDowki.l, of London . The most remarkablework of this sculptor is his Eve (in plaster, p. 850). Thisfigure is modelled with great knowledge, the attitude isgraceful, and the expression of longing curiosity wellrendered. We may also mention his Girl at Prayer (inmarble, ibid.), a figure treated with simplicity and depthof feeling, and very carefully executed. Ilis marble figureof Cupid (ibid.) lias also considerable merit. PrizeMedal.
W. Calper Marshall (5, p. 844, Sculpture Court).The Sabrina of this artist is remarkable for the femininegrace of the motive, the head lias a fine character of in-dividuality, and there is great beauty in the form and inthe general expression: in marble. Prize Medal.
T. Sharp, of London (20, p. 844). A Boy stretchedon the ground, looking round in alarm, as if startled ata lizard. This is a remarkable work—quite unlike, inchoice and treatment of subject, any which has been asyet noticed in this Report. The artist has not hesitatedto express that dryness and meagreness of form whichcharacterizes the particular stage of boyhood here selectedfor representation; but these details are rendered withtlie utmost accuracy, and with an admirable feeling fornature. The eye of the ordinary observer, habituallyaccustomed to the specious effect of mere smoothness ofsurface, may, in some degree, be repelled by this truth-fulness of representation ; but, like all other truth, it willnot the less be ultimately appreciated, and we may regardthis figure as in itself a proof how great an effort theEnglish school of sculpture is making in the right direc-tion. Prize Medal.
J. Hogan, of Ireland (14, p. 843\ A drunken Satyr ,gorged with new wine, which has distended all his veinsand muscles, makes a last effort to save himself fromfalling. This work contains evidence of careful study,but the attitude lias something violent and ungraceful:in plaster. Prize Medal.
B. Jennings, of London (81, p. 846). In his marblefigure of Cupid this artist has been very happy in therepresentation of youthful form.
The same may be said of the Arethusa of E. Thrupp,of London (58, p. 845\ a recumbent figure leaning onone elbow, though there is rather a want of life and indi-viduality in the features. A Boy catching a Butterfly(56, p. 845), by the same artist, is a carefully executedand attractive work: in marble.
A Nymph bathing, by J. Lawlor, of London (22,p. 844), also deserves notice here: in marble. All thethree last-mentioned works have obtained Prize Medals.
The portrait statue of Flaxman, by the late M. L.Watson, of London (60, p. 845), shows how greatly thisartist excelled in Iconic sculpture. The figure, which isexecuted out of a very beautiful block of marble, is seated;the general attitude is remarkably true to nature, the headfull of intelligence, and the whole design is worked outwith great spirit, and with conscientious labour. Thecolossal seated figures of Lord Eldon and Lord Stowell(p. 848), by the same artist, are also remarkable speci-mens of the same class of sculpture, though not equal inmerit to the statue of Flaxman. The hands appear too !large: in marble. Prize Medal. j
L. Macdonald, of Pome (Pome, 18, p. 12S6). The :Iconic figure by this sculptor, executed in the mannerand costume of classical antiquity, shows that the artistlias a just perception of style and sound knowledge : inmarble. Prize Medal.
In conclusion may be noticed the following artists, asdeserving the Honourable Mention bestowed on them bythe Jury:—
W. Beiines, of London, for his Nymph startled bv aLizard: in marble (54, p. 945\
W. Tiieed, of London , for his marble group of theProdigal £on (59, p. 845) embraced by his Father, andfor his Narcissus ( 79, p. 846 \ also in marble.
II. Wkkkes, of London , for his Sleeping Child with aDog: in marble (p. 853).
K. B. Stephens, of London (p. 853), for his DoerStalker and Dog .
F. M. Miller, of London , for Two Orphan Childrenat Prayer: marble (p. 850).
Mr. and Mrs. T. Thornycroit, of London , for theRoyal Children, in the characters of the Four Seasons: inplaster (34, p. 844'..
G. Myers, of London , for the Tomb of Bishop Walsh,in stone; a monument in which the ecclesiastical style ofthe middle ages is well sustained, not only in the principalfigure, but also in the accessories. Prize Medal. (ClassXXVI. p. 761.)
To this list the name of Hancock (p. 849) deserves, in
• my opinion, to be added, for his statue in plaster of theBeatrice of Dante, in her beatified state. The figure is
, distinguished by a pure and noble expression of the head,
; although many defects may be remarked in the drapery.
In concluding this notice of English sculpture, it isright to mention that several highly distinguished artists: have not contributed any woiks to the Exhibition.
j 2. Sculpture on a small Scale.
To this branch of English art the remarks alreadymade on sculpture on a large scale are generally appli-cable. Even at the present day many of the most distin-; guished artists who have executed and exhibited works of
■ this class are foreigners.
i
i (a.) Embossed (Repoussd) Work.
i A. Veciitk, of France (p. 686-87), at present settled inj England. The works of this artist in strictness belong| to Class XXIII. (Jewellery and Goldsmiths’ Work), but; they are so essentially and exclusively productions ofFine Art, that it is impossible to pass them over without
■ mention in this Report. They consist of a shield as yetunfinished, and a vase representing the contest betweenJupiter and the Giants, executed in silver for the great
i establishment of Messrs. Hunt and Roskell at Binning-I ham. These works show that no living artist has so fully; entered into the spirit of the Italian style of the sixteenth; century, commonly called the Cinque Cento t as Veehte.
: He has also exhibited a shield, which, having been ex-
• ecuted in France , is therefore in the French Department.In its design the artist has harmonized with great skill
j two celebrated compositions of the Murder of the Inno-1 cents, that by Raphael - preserved to us in the engravingby Marc Antonio, and in the tapestry of the Vatican —
! and that known to us in the picture by Nicolas Poussin .
Honourable Mention. (Class XXIII. 97.)
' J. V. Morel and Co., of Paris, now settled in London j (p. 693). This firm exhibit a set of cups, made of dif-j ferent kinds of precious stones, decorated with small1 figures, animals, masks, and other ornaments, exquisitelywrought in gold and silver, and in enamel, the whole ex-; ecuted in the feeling of Benvenuto Cellini , and with thesame refined taste. In the expression of the heads only| there appears a somewhat too modern sentiment. The! talent displayed in these works is so remarkable, thatthough they belong strictly to Class XXIII., where theyhave been rewarded with a Council Medal, they cannotbe passed in silence here. (Class XXIII. No. 117.)
( b .) Medals and Coins.
W. Wyon. of London , Chief Engraver of the Mint*(p. 838). This artist is certainly one of the most distin-guished of his class in the present day. lie is endowedwith a just perception of nature, and a refined sense ofbeauty in form and movement. His works are executed
* This notice was written a few days before the death ofthe distinguished artist to whom it relates.