FINE ARTS.
THE NELSON TESTIMONIAL.
THE Committee have made their election from the Designs sent in fbr the "Nelson Testimonial ; " and the result of a competition open to all the talent of the country, and that has produced nearly one hundred and fifty designs, and employed the genius of almost as many artists during several months, is a Corinthian column with a statue of Nelson
at the top. Oh most lame and impotent conclusion The fitness of the timing
ing s on a par with the originality of the idea. Shall we not hear some jolly tar inquire as he looks up at the statue—that is, if his old eyes can snake out the hero's features—" What has the Admiral done that he should be mast-headed? " Mr. Ransrox is the author of the successful design ; whiclm is as showy as the York column is bald : the bronze railing round time top is a scarcely less conspicuous feature than the statue above. Butahe question " Who is to be the sculptor?" has still to be decided; for Mr. R AILTON' is an architect. On the re- semblance of the statue to the Hero, on its effect when seen from a distance, and on the beauty of the bronze bas-reliefs that adorn the base of the column, will depend its value and interest as a memorial of Nel- son. The worth of the architectural portion is small indeed. The Roman Doric column of Mr. SHAW is far more chaste and elegant ; and an anonymous design of a similar kind, with a spiral bas-relief round the lower part of the shaft, is far more ornamental.
The second prize is awarded to a sculptural design by BarLv ; and the third to an architectural one by rowLeit ; neither of which are in our humble opinion, so well worthy the distinction as others we shall mention.
Mr. Ilatr,v's design consists of an obelisk, in front of which stands Nelson holding a flag, with Victory on one side of him and Britannia on the other ; while below is Neptune and his sea-horses, with a train of tritons and sea-nymphs encircling the base : the composition is good, and it would have been considered a fine work twenty years ago, when allegory was in vogue ; but art has outgrown such faded common- places. The conception, it must be allowed, is level to the taste of the many ; and this circumstance, together with the prestige of BAimis name, and the finish of the modelling, doubtless contributed to procure for its author the second premium. Among the sculptural designs, that by PARK, (in the recess at the cast end of the gallery,) executed before the term of the competition was extended, and of which we gave a description some months ago, undoubtedly evinces most thought, and the highest purpose ; moreover, it is a masterly work of art : this certainly deserved the prize more than EMILY'S. PARK'S second design (at the west end) is heavy and ungainly, and the groups are not so well disposed.
The most simple model, and in the purest classic taste, is one by Woomn xterox, consisting only of a statue of Nelson on a pedestal, with four recumbent undraped figures, (typical of the career of' Nelson,)
at the angles of the base. The statue itself is just elevated enough to be seen to advantage ; and the recumbent forms impart to it a com- manding grandeur, and an air of majestic repose. The modelling too is masterly.
A design by W. WEsTsrAcorr, consisting of a naval column of moderate height surnmunted by a bronze statue of Nelson, the base
encircled with two rows of statues of Admirals, is a graceful composi-
tion, and its purpose is comprehensive and intelligible. A temple by Messrs. SALVIN and SMITH, enclosing a statue of Nelson distinctly visible through the arched entrance, has some spirited alto relievos be- tween the columns ; but these look like mere fillings-up of the sides, and the roof being cumbrous and fantastic, the ensemble is not agreeable. Mr. FOWLER'S design is architectural ; and consists of two cubes, with balconies round each, placed one on the other, with a pepper-box at the top, on which is balanced a statue of Nelson ; four immense globular lamps supported by bronze figures at the corners of the en- closed space, also form a prominent feature. Its SUMS WC can only attribute to the extreme neatness of the modelling, for it is merely a pretty toy. We cannot attempt to give a detailed account of the medley of columns of all orders, and obelisks with and without statues, temples with Nelson standing sentry under cover, and sculptural groups, that completely fin the long gallery of Mr. RAINY'S house (built by lqA.SH for himself) Regent Street. Indeed, it would be unprofitable labour, did our spice allow it : besides, the passing glance that we were able to give at the collection (by the courtesy of one of the Committee) does not enable us to do so. We must confess ourselves disappointed at the display alto. gether ; it is by no means creditable to the arts of the country. of genius, taste, and originality, there is very little ; and the ingenuity shows more signs of effort than ofjudgment. Tile general impression left by the exhibition is that of fantastic incongruity and misdirected labour. Some conceits are ludicrously extravagant, others no less comically bizarre and unmeaning. One indefatigable person has sent three large models, variations of the same design, consisting of a conical pile like a light-house, hung all rotund with medallions, and girdled with three ranges of balconies; a second has modelled a huge spiral staircase; a third has stuck Nelson on the north pole of an immense globe; a tlamh has mounted hint on a rock, with a cascade ; and another has laid out the area of Trafidgar Square with bowers and waterfalls, like a suburban tea-garden. Mr. MOINES, the sculptor, backs his pretensions by a letter to the Committee, in which he makes very light of 30,0001., regarding it as a sum utterly inadequate to the purpose. His designs—for there are two, though they differ but little in their general features—are, strange to say, architectural ; the most elaborate being composed of a pyramid, with an obelisk on the top of it, a column on the top of the obelisk, and a statue on the top of the column, from which project prows of vessels with A.dmirals standing on then': moreover, he brings his monument out into the road-way in front, and pierces it with two arch- ways for carriages—as if for the convenience of hearses bringing bodies to the mausolea that he intends should occupy the base of the structure; while "time Sailor King" is enthroned in the middle of Trafalgar Square, The British lion, Neptune, Fame, Victory, and all the venerable attri- butes, figure in the various designs; many include tbuntains, and most of them are studded with prows of vessels ; one is surrounded with clieraux de .frise of cannons, and another with a border of dolphins curled np like garnets ; and several seem more suitable for confec- tionery devices to deck a table, or for ornamental plate, than time pur- pose they are intended for. Few architects or sculptors of eminenceappear to have competed; many of the designs are, however, anonymous. Mr. WILKINS has sent a snug little Jack-in-the-box, such as should not interfere with his building. It seems to have been made a great point with some not to eclipse the pigmy picture-gallery ; and the alleged ground of the Committee's preference for a column is, that it does not interfere with the surrounding buildings.
That the Committee have acted impartially, we do not question ; but nevertheless we impugn the justness of their decision, and the correct- ness of their taste : and when the public are admitted to view the designs, we think the selection will not give satisfaction. It' popular opinion is to be at all regarded in these matters, the decision ought to have followed, not preceded the exhibition; in order that the Committee might have had an opportunity of weighing the opinions of artists, the press, and the people. Were the judes ever so competent from their knowledge of art and refined taste, tins deference to popular opinion in a subject of national concern, which involves the credit of the country in a branch of time fine arts, would only have been proper ; but in the
present instance it was indispensably necessary, as th.! result evil:aces. All past experience is thrown away ; the costly lessons of the National Gallery and the Wellington Statue jobs go for nothing; and incapacity does the work of corrupt influence. How often shall we have to re- peat Yorick's saying, " They manage these timings better in France?"
Previous page
