Class XXX.]
T05
tae Fine Arts that they have been more freely developedhere than has been the case in other countries far greaterin extent of territory. Hence, within the last twenty-five years, side bv side with the flourishing school ofpainting in Belgium , has grown up a school of sculptors,among whom are many distinguished names. In thisschool of sculpture a tendency to the picturesque, whichis in conformity with the whole bent of the nation in art,manifests itself in the general character of the composi-tion, and in a peculiar treatment of the surfaces, in whichthere is always a certain roundness and fulness, andsometimes an exaggerated development. In many idealsubjects this treatment has a very attractive effect, butin some of the works of Belgian sculptors the want of aproper feeling for bony structure in the representation ofthe figure, and the affectation of the motive, show thatthe style of Canova has exercised an unfavourable influ-ence on this school. In portraiture the sculptors of Bel-gium have shown great ability; in this branch of art thewhole Realistic tendency of the national mind has foundfree scope.
Nearly all the distinguished sculptors of this schoolsent works to the Exhibition, though in some cases itcan hardly be thought that the merits of the sculptorwere adequately represented by the specimens he con-tributed.
A. Sculpture and Works of Plastic Art.
Sculpture on a large Scale.
E. Simonis (4G4, p. 1166). A colossal figure of God-frey of Bouillon on horseback, raising the banner withwhich he led the Crusaders to the Holy Land. Cast inplaster from the original in bronze, which is placed inthe Place lloyale at Brussels .
In this work the expression of the head is full of lifeand animation, the action very emphatic, the executionvery careful. To compensate for the optical diminutionwhich causes statues placed in the open air to appearmeagre and deficient in mass, the artist has in this groupexaggerated the forms both of the warrior and the horse.This departure from nature has perhaps been carried toofar, and the principles of Plastic Art have been thus lostsight of in the treatment of the surfaces. It may also beremarked that in the side view the form of the horsepresents two lines which are too parallel, and by nomeans happy.
In his group representing Truth trampling on Falsehood, the same artist has shown power in the representstion of delicate feminine forms, and the work is carefullyexecuted. The subject, however, is not indicated withsufficient clearness. Two figures of boys, ODe of whomis crying over his broken drum, prove that M. Simonishas also been successful in that class *of subjects called“genre,” and which are altogether treated in a Realisticmanner. Prize Medal.
C. A. Fraikin, of Schaerbeck, near Brussels (465,p. 1166). A figure of Psyche moving lightly forward,and bearing a Cupid on her shoulders. The motive ofthis figure is spirited, the forms are expressed with greattenderness, and the group presents attractions fromseveral points of view. There is, however, in the move-ment of the head of Psyche something affected, and inthe style of Canova. Prize Medal. (4o5, p. 213.)
Gr. Geefs, of Schaerbeck, near Brussels (466, p. 1166).
A group, in which the power of beauty over savagenature is allegorically represented by a lion, who isallowing his claws to be cut by a pretty undraped femalefigure. This work, of which a cast is exhibited inplaster, is very carefully executed as a whole; the formsof the female figure are very pleasing, though the treat-ment is rather too soft.
The bust of His Majesty the King of the Belgians ,exhibited by the same artist, is very spirited, and is care-fully executed. Prize Medal. (466, p. 213.)
J. Tuerlinckx, of Malines (456, p. 1165). A figure,iu marble, representing the celebrated Giotto when a boy,looking at his first drawing with an expression of joy.The* conception of this work is very spirited, and it iscarefully executed. Prize Medal.
C. G berts, of Louvain (450, p. 1165). This artist,the most distinguished for wood-carving in Belgium ,executed the carvings for the new stalls in AntwerpCathedral . His chief contribution to the Exhibition is a“ Coronation of the Virgin,” executed in wood. In thiswork the artist shows a great knowledge of the Gothicstyle in the motive of the figures, the expression of theheads, and the manner in which the folds of the draperyare disposed. There is, however, somewhat too much ofsystematic uniformity in the character of the heads anddrapery. Prize Medal.
Joseph Geefs, of Antwerp (451, p. 1165). “TheFaithful Messenger.” In the work so entitled the sculptorhas represented a dove perching on the shoulder of ayoung girl, to whom it has returned. This statue is verypleasing, but is hardly a work of sufficient consequenceto give an idea of the distinguished merits of this artist.Honourable Mention.
J. Jaquet, of Schaerbeck, near Brussels (401, p. 1165\A group, in plaster, of Cupid asking Venus to restore hisbow, which she has taken from him. This work ispleasing, though somewhat affected in motive. The exe-cution is careful, though the development of the muscles,particularly on the back and shoulders, is too strong.Honourable Mention.
Sculpture on a small Scale. — Medals.
L. J. Hart, of Brussels (441, p. 1165). Thirty-nineMedals, among which a portrait of Rubens may be par-ticularly noticed. These works show very considerableskill iu the class of art in which they are executed.Honourable Mention.
C. Jehotte, of Liege (447, p. 1165). A series of Medalsby this artist are also skilfully executed. HonourableMention.
B. Graphic Representations on Plane Surfaces.Inlaid Worta in Metal.
J. Falloise, of Liege (384, p. 1163). A shield, somedrinking cups, a vase, an armlet, all in steel, inlaid withsilver. The masterly execution, refined taste, and correctstyle shown in these works, place M. Falloise in the firstrank in the class of Workers in Metal. Prize Medal.(Awarded Prize Medal, Class XXIII.)
J. Leemann, of Zurich , a bookbinder (257, p. 1282),The model of the Cathedral of Strasburg, executed incardboard with a penknife. This model deserves specialnotice, on account of the correctness of the proportions,and the labour and dexterity shown in the execution.Honourable Mention. (Awarded Prize Medal, Class VII.)
J. Leemann, of Berne* (258, p. 1283). The model ofthe beautiful Fountain at Nuremberg , executed in woodwith the utmost truth of detail. Honourable Mention.
Inlaid Works.
{a.) In Wood.
Perez and Co. (271a, p. 1346.) A manufactory forinlaying wood at Barcelona . A table-top, inlaid with avariety of ornaments, in the centre of which are theRoyal Amis of Great Britain . The patterns, with a fewexceptions, are in admirable taste, the colouring exquisitethroughout, the execution of extraordinary* fineness, themost minute particles of wood being employed to expressthe faintest gradations of colour. Altogether this is awork of the highest rank in its class. Prize Medal.
E. Zuloaga (264 and 264a, p. 134G). Tie proprietorof an establishment at Madrid for works in metal, fromwhich were exhibited various specimens executed in iron,inlaid with gold and silver, and ornamented with reliefs.
* It has been already pointed out, in the Report of Mr.Panizzi, that the model of the Fountain of Nuremberg isexecuted by the same artist ns the model of StrasburgCathedral, which precedes it.
2 z