Exhibition Of Medlæval Art At The South Kensington Museum.

relief would fill a sculptured medallion . In the November subject , a finely drawn figure sits boldly astride the branch of a fruit tree , in the act of gathering fruit . In December , a spirited figure is in the act of digging the soil to prepare it for the spring seed . Other subjects are , sowing , reaping , & c , —all treated Avith extrardhiay freedom , the facility evidently arising from spontaneous genius of the highest class . These medallions form ,

in fact , a truly noble series of Della Robhian art , of a kind far less known than his sculptural relief ; and one regrets that they are not placed in a better and lighter situation . The fine effects that mighfc ho produced in coloured architecture by medallions of this class is evident , but the full value and beauty of a future school of architecture embellished with Avorks of this nature is inconceivable till some really artistic steps in the new direction shsll have developed a few of the secrets of the new and almost untried power of colour .

The sculptural raised work of Delia Robhia ' s true terra inrilriata is better known than his pencil work , and is of a higher class than any other known work of the class . The very finest modern productions of Messrs . Minton , Copeland , or others , do not at present approach the excellence of the best works of Della Robhia . In all that depends on the technical management of the material , the furnace , the glazes , the colours , and often in the general conception of the design

( founded of course , more or less , on medioaval models ) , the modern wares , of the Delia Robhia kind , of our enterprising manufactures tread closely on the heels ofthe great Italian producers of the Leonian age ; hut , in the purely artistic touch , either in the modelled or painted details , they are , as yet , far behind their mediaival masters ; yet the progress now making is very rapid , and its direction seems the right one . The finest example of the vitrified clay-sculpture of Delia Robbia in the

present Exhibition is the large "Virgin and Child , " surrounded by a border of exquisitely modelled fruits , and no cloubfc originally executed as an altar piece . The two figures are without colour ( as are most of the figure subjects of Della Robbia ) , being pure white , upon a rich blue ground . The design and modelling of this fine work are truly exquisite , and the application of the glaze is so skilful , that bufc little , if any , of the sculptural sharpness of the original model is lost . The

modelling of the hands in the best worts of Delia Robbia is always full of elegance and refinement , and the playful grace of the children quite as remarkable ; in fiict , the principal figures in this class of Delia Robbia work do not require to he regarded merely as decorative productions , or to be looked afc only for their general and ornamental effect ; they may be criticised as works of the highest class of sculpture ( if we may use the term ) only needs a truly artistic development of its powers to rival , in

many respects , thafc of marble , and even to surpass it in others . There is an " Annunciation" by this great artist , treated in a somewhat similar manner to the work just described ; the subject being , however , composed of full , instead of half figures , and tlle framework being of a more architectural character , composed of pilasters , enriched with exquisitely-modelled ornaments of the cinque cento character ( white on a coloured ground ) , from which springs an archcomepleting the framework of the

, subject . There is also a small altar piece representing the Adoration of fche Magi , and a "Last Supper , " both of wliich , as church ornaments , are very effective . There are two other Madonnas , each very excellent , though not quite equal to the subjects first described . There are also other specimens of

Delia Kobhia work in the building , forming part of the permanent collection , which are Avell worthy of careful study . In speaking of fccrra-cotta modelling , protected by a vitreous glaze , aud of other classes of decorative earthenware in the light of features to he introduced in coloured architecture , I might also have dwelt upon the capacities of Wedgwood AV . IVC ; of which the present Exhibition contains some exquisite specimens . But I must leave that for some future

occasiononlre-, y marking that where a bright glaze might be objectionable , the freedom from gloss of the "Wedgwood ware would precisely meet fche requirement , and yet produce an analogous effect ; possessing at the same time , in nearly the same degree , the power of permanent resistance to atmospheric injury . I ought also to call attention to a ( hie architectural medallion , of the Della Robbia class of workwhich appears to have been

, executed in England ; but the art seems to have been lost with us soon after , and not effectively revived till within the last quarter of a century , by Messrs . Minton and others . The work I allude to is a large and striking head , in bold relief . The head is entirely white , ar in the Della Robbia Avaro , with the

Exhibition Of Medlæval Art At The South Kensington Museum.

exception of some gold ornaments , Avhich lm-e a chaste and good effect . It appears to have been the work of an Italian , established in England , one Benedetto di Rovezzano , Avho flourished between 1480 and 1550 . ' *

Notes On Literature, Science, And Art.

NOTES ON LITERATURE , SCIENCE , AND ART .

The Premier has just conferred a pension of £ 100 a year from the civil list on Mr . Leitch Ritchie , who has been incapacitated from his calling hy ill health . Mr . Ritchie is known for several graceful poemns and tales , and he was for some time editor of Chamber ' s Journal . Admirers of the writings of Mr . J . Critchley Prince , the basket-maker , will regret to learn that he has been overtaken

by poverty and distress . The idea ] of procuring a duplicate of Mr . Foley ' s Lord Hardinge is no'iv reA-ived , as Ave ( Athenceum ) made knoAvn , last week , with a better prospect of success . This work , the finest equestrian monument produced by an English sculptor , is to he seen , by a cast , in the south central court of the International

Exhibition . Examiners Avill find it worthy of the remarkable honour of repetition in the capitals of England and India . Mr . Guinness , Avhose spirited and in some respects successful restoration of St . Patrick's Cathedral , Dublin , is progressing , has determined to fill the south transept light , a triplet , with stained glass representing the asrension . #

Sir Thomas Phillips , F . G . S ., Vice President of the Society of Arts , has been unanimously elected Chairman for the current year . Three original editions cf the last volume of " Les-Mis & rables , " by Victor Hugo , are being printed at the same time—one at Paris , one at Brussels , and one at Leipsic . The number of copies struck for the Paris edition , up to this time , is 23 , 000 ; for the Brussels edition , 13 , 000 ; and the Leipsic one 3500 .

Notes On Music And The Drama.

NOTES ON MUSIC AND THE DRAMA .

Musical amateurs who may be visting the Exhibition Avill shortly have an opportunity of hearing the private band of the Viceroy of Egypt . It is to perform at stated intervals in the Egyptian court . The time is ' rapidly approaching ( say sthe Sunday Times ) when the anniversary festival of the Dramatic College will , in duecourse , be celebrated at the Crystal Palace . Already preparations for the forthcoming Fancy Bazar are being made in a

wide circle , and on an extensive scale . Mr . A . Sullivan is engaged in the composition of an opera . A new cantata , hy Mr . Balfe , is fco be produced a Exeter Hall on the occasion of Mr . Sims Reeve's benefit concert . Mr . Henri Leslie ' s cantata was performed at Oxford on the Avedding day of the Princess Alice . '

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents , CRYSTAL PALACE BANQUETS . TO THE EEEDITOE OF THE rKranrASOEXS' 3 IAOAZI 2 TK AND JIASOS'IC JtimtOII . SIE AND BUOIKEB , — -AS a visitor to the Globe Lodgo Summer Banquet at the Crystal Palace , will you allow me to ask Avhero Bro . Strange buys his Avine ? The 13 s .

per dozen claret is nectar in comparison to that placed before me—drink it I did not . Tours fraternally , A DINER OUT .