Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Critical Notices Of The Literature Of The Last Three Months,
of the ceilings in one part is , hoAvever , very beautiful . The colouring ol : the Elgin frieze , shocking as it may be to many lover ' s of art , is supported by arguments which are at least worthy of attention . The Roman Court is mainly composed of arcades , decorated with coloured marble ; but as an adequate illustration of Roman architecture , it is a failure . The Pompeian-house , restored by Mr . M . D . Wyatt , and decoi-ated bSiAbbaleishowevera vivid representation of ancient
y g . , , , domestic life , and the most interesting feature in the whole Crystal Palace . The collection of casts of sculpture in the Greek and Roman Courts , includes the most valuable possessions of the chief galleries of Europe , and is very well described by Mr . Scharf . To the Alhambra Court , Mr . Jones has given the full force of his Avell-acquired knowledge . The walls and ceilings are resplendent with colour and gold , distributed over the ornamentsinterliningsand inscriptions which cover all the
, , surfaces . To use such an extraordinary amount of decoration , and not produce ahappearance of tawdriness , was a great achievement . The principles of Moorish architecture and decoration are very ably set forth by Mr . Jones in the " Guide . " At this point the north transept intersects the building . It has been lined by colossal sphinxes , and palm-trees , leading up to two enormous seated figures—the size of the originals at the tomb of Abou-Zimbel in Nubiaand which nearlthe full heiht
, occupy y g of the transept . The whole of them are coloured in dark and prominent tints . At this part of the building , in the ornamental tank or basin , are two finely designed fountains , in bronze , by Monti , with figures , representing the four quarters of the globe . The Assyrian Court has been arranged by Mr . Eergusson , with the assistance of Mr . Layard . The principles of the restoration are set forth
in the work , on the architecture of "Nineveh and Persepolis Restored , " by the former gentleman . To attempt even a meagre sketch of the collection of architectural ornament and sculpture which has been so skilfully arranged by Mr . Wyatt , on the east side of the building , would extend far over the limits of a whole number of our Magazine . The illustration of the Renaissance style is most important and valuable as a justification of it , considered , at least , with reference to the beauty which
there is in many of its productions , and its suggestiveness as regards modern art . Indeed , we may hope , that those who have hitherto been ready to take the rhapsodies , and we say advisedly , the ignorant declamation of particular writers , will apply the means which are now at hand , and qualify themselves for the independent judgments , which , if not those of old students , will at least demand more confidence from us than those bwhich have been too much guidedThe
Handy persons . books to the present series of courts , by Messrs . Wyatt and Waring , may be read with advantage . In recording our high opinion of these illustrations of art , we must , however , express great regret at the injudicious use of excessive colour and gilding which prevails throughout . We also regret that , in all the Eine Arts Courts , great part of the beauty of the casts of sculpture and ornament has been destroyed by the mistaken judgment as to the means taken to preserve them .
The galleries in tho north end of the building contain a number of minor objects of interest , and a large collection of photographs of buildings . Besides the illustrations of ancient art , the collection of modern sculpture in other parts of the building is most interesting and important , and the extensive series of portrait busts forms a valuable aid to the study of biography . In the principal departments of manufactures , tbe VOL . II . 2 M
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Critical Notices Of The Literature Of The Last Three Months,
of the ceilings in one part is , hoAvever , very beautiful . The colouring ol : the Elgin frieze , shocking as it may be to many lover ' s of art , is supported by arguments which are at least worthy of attention . The Roman Court is mainly composed of arcades , decorated with coloured marble ; but as an adequate illustration of Roman architecture , it is a failure . The Pompeian-house , restored by Mr . M . D . Wyatt , and decoi-ated bSiAbbaleishowevera vivid representation of ancient
y g . , , , domestic life , and the most interesting feature in the whole Crystal Palace . The collection of casts of sculpture in the Greek and Roman Courts , includes the most valuable possessions of the chief galleries of Europe , and is very well described by Mr . Scharf . To the Alhambra Court , Mr . Jones has given the full force of his Avell-acquired knowledge . The walls and ceilings are resplendent with colour and gold , distributed over the ornamentsinterliningsand inscriptions which cover all the
, , surfaces . To use such an extraordinary amount of decoration , and not produce ahappearance of tawdriness , was a great achievement . The principles of Moorish architecture and decoration are very ably set forth by Mr . Jones in the " Guide . " At this point the north transept intersects the building . It has been lined by colossal sphinxes , and palm-trees , leading up to two enormous seated figures—the size of the originals at the tomb of Abou-Zimbel in Nubiaand which nearlthe full heiht
, occupy y g of the transept . The whole of them are coloured in dark and prominent tints . At this part of the building , in the ornamental tank or basin , are two finely designed fountains , in bronze , by Monti , with figures , representing the four quarters of the globe . The Assyrian Court has been arranged by Mr . Eergusson , with the assistance of Mr . Layard . The principles of the restoration are set forth
in the work , on the architecture of "Nineveh and Persepolis Restored , " by the former gentleman . To attempt even a meagre sketch of the collection of architectural ornament and sculpture which has been so skilfully arranged by Mr . Wyatt , on the east side of the building , would extend far over the limits of a whole number of our Magazine . The illustration of the Renaissance style is most important and valuable as a justification of it , considered , at least , with reference to the beauty which
there is in many of its productions , and its suggestiveness as regards modern art . Indeed , we may hope , that those who have hitherto been ready to take the rhapsodies , and we say advisedly , the ignorant declamation of particular writers , will apply the means which are now at hand , and qualify themselves for the independent judgments , which , if not those of old students , will at least demand more confidence from us than those bwhich have been too much guidedThe
Handy persons . books to the present series of courts , by Messrs . Wyatt and Waring , may be read with advantage . In recording our high opinion of these illustrations of art , we must , however , express great regret at the injudicious use of excessive colour and gilding which prevails throughout . We also regret that , in all the Eine Arts Courts , great part of the beauty of the casts of sculpture and ornament has been destroyed by the mistaken judgment as to the means taken to preserve them .
The galleries in tho north end of the building contain a number of minor objects of interest , and a large collection of photographs of buildings . Besides the illustrations of ancient art , the collection of modern sculpture in other parts of the building is most interesting and important , and the extensive series of portrait busts forms a valuable aid to the study of biography . In the principal departments of manufactures , tbe VOL . II . 2 M