Mr. BACKLER'S PAINTED WINDOW.
This ingenious and indefatigable artist is now exhibiting a small mod I of a painted window designed for St. James's Church. The Transfiguration, the last, the most perfect, and perhaps the finest work of RAPHAEL, has been selected for the purpose ; ands more impressive and appropriate subject could not have been chosen. As a picture, it is admirably adapted, in its arrangements both of design and colouring, to the object proposed; and, judging from the miniature in glass which Mr. BACKLER has got up, it is ably and effectively copied. The composition of the original consists of two grand parts ; and admits therefore of that transverse division requisite to sustain securely so large a work. These two principal divisions are subdivided by the mullions of the window into a centre and two sides, respectively ; an arrangement also which happily adapts itself to the general effect of the design. The upper group, it will be remembered, consists of our Saviour, Moses, and Elias, forming, three separate figures. The composition of the lower group is more massed, but still consists of a centre and two sides; and by means of little expansion of the design, which does not lessen the beautiful effect of the composition, an appropriate division is effected, which interferes as little as possible with the completeness of the whole. The co!ours are in some respects modified, and their brilliancy heightened, though a pleasing softness and richness pervades the picture; there is none of that dazzling glare of transparent colour„, which gives a hardness pain
ful to the eye; the tone is subdued to the quality of the original, allow. big for the difference of the material.
Mr. BACKLER does not avail himself of the ingenious invention of Mr. WILDISHURST, who, in his splendid picture in glass of the" Field of the Cloth of Gold," has successfully managed to conceal in a great measure the junction of the pieces, by making the outlines of his figures the boundary line of the various colours. In a picture like the Transfiguration, indeed, this would be productive of a harshness quite destructive of all harmony of effect ia the composition. The divisions of his window (if it is executed) will consist of a light framework uniting the panes ; so that to the spectator it will have the effect of a picture placed immediately behind a sash frame. The design is deserving of adoption; and Mr. BACKLER'S success in similar works is a sufficient testimony of his ability to execute this grand work ; which would prove a most imposing ornament to the church.
In executing this window upon a larger scale, we would suggest to Dlr. BACKLER the use of cartoons, as accurate both in drawing and colouring as he can procure, for the figures and faces, getting his general effect only from his miniature model : for upon the exactness of his copy must of course depend the spirit of the drawing and the sublimity of the expression.
Previous page
