FINE ARTS.
WOOD-CARVING.
MR. ROGERS has been privately exhibiting some elaborate pieces of woos- carving, of his own and his son's designing, that are noticeable for their beautiful execution and varied character. The work, being in progress, could only be seen in fragments, and the effect of the ensemble had to be inferred from the parts. But this, though disadvantageous in one respect, induced a closer scrutiny of the details; which well merited attentive ex- amination. The most prominent object, next to an architectural chimney- piece, was a magnificent picture-frame, of striking and fantastical character. It was surrounded by florid Venetian scroll foliage in bold relief, with genii perched in the hollows; at the top was a crown surmounted by an Elizabethan ruff, carved in pierced work in imitation of point-lace, from which emerged a Cupid; and below was a scarf, with point-lace fringe and ends, upheld by a flying urchin. Some trophies of the chase, composed of fish, game, &c., and scrolls interwoven with birds and flowers, executed in Gibbons's style, were picturesque in effect, and showed feeling for natural character as well as the graces of art. But what most excited our admi- ration were some Arabesque friezes in the Italian style of Giovanni da Udine; modelled by Mr. Rogers junior, for a cabinet for Signor Mario. Scrolls of peculiar foliage—the leaves rounded, solid, and smooth, yet graceful in their curves—interspersed with boys and birds, were united by grotesque heads that formed centres. The carving was beautiful and free; but in delicacy of touch and feeling for ideal elegance, it did not come up to the original model: indeed we doubt if wood can be susceptible of the minute refinement of modelling.
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