FINE ARTS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBITION.
Those who have imagined that the few architectural drawings which occupied the scanty space allotted to them upon the walls of the Aca- demy fairly represented the efforts of the professors of that art, will be surprised to find, in the Architectural Exhibition now open at the Port- land Galleries in Regent Street, a collection of 400 drawings and models of a character which entitles it to rank highly among the annual exhi- bitions of the Metropolis.
It was under the auspices of the Architectural Association of London that this exhibition first struggled into existence. But it is now sup- ported by a large body of the leading members of the profession, and can afford to dispense with the aid still withheld by others.
Although the number of drawings is double that of former years, their general character is superior: there are fewer of the impossibly blue skies and gaudy foregrounds with which architects are wont to spoil their drawings while the pictorial representations of existing buildings are of a higher Class. The addition also of architectural materials, patents, &c., forms an interesting and important feature. In a consideration of the works in their several classes, ecclesiastical architecture necessarily stands, as it ever has stood in the history of the world, preeminent. In the designs of this class, we notice a still spread- ing study of the Gothic styles, and greater originality in their application. Several drawings by Mr. E. 13. Lamb are picturesque and pleasing ; as the views of "St. Andrews's Chapel, Blenbargh" (2, 1325, and of the church to be erected at West Hartlepool (110). At times, however, they border upon heaviness, and a quaintness in unimportant features is too obtrusive ; as the corbelling of the chancel end in Aldwork Church (8). The designs of Mr. G. G. Scott are light and elegant: the "Church now ending at Halton" (3) is an instance. In "Ealing Church" (155), the junction of the tower and spire is well managed. The "Church under erection at Ealing" (266) groups well; and the pyramidal roof to the tower is original, and possesses great character. The turret above is not so satisfactory. No. 52, "A Design for a Town Church," by Mr. G. Truefitt, displays high originality and picturesqueness, and the treatment of the roof Is good. The composition lacks base, however, and the lower part of the tower is heavy. The spire of the Church by Mr. W. Hill (No. 64) is elegant ; but its croeketed pinnacles have run to seed. No. 171, by Mr. Webbe, possesses some good idoints ; and the tower and spire of the " Church to be erected in Islington" (202) is pleasing in outline. But the tower of the design (231) by Mr. P. F. Dolman is quite refreshing after the numerous spires of one and the same type, which prevail too much here, as they do in the churches erected of late years in London. No. 266 is a very striking de- sign for the front of a Cathedral, by Mr. J. P. Seddon, studied from the early Gothic of the North of France : while Mr. H. H. Burnell, in No. 295, and Herr Semper, show in their adaptations of other Continental styles considerable merit, although their designs are not so suitible to English ecclesiastical architecture.
Designs for schools are numerous that by Mr. Thomas Hill (142) being among the most original, and Mr. Edwin Nash's (162) and Mr, Ordish's (210) of pleasing composition.
No. 1, an interior view of a Design for Metropolitan Baths," by Mr. Arthur Allem is an exquisite drawing of most noble proportions : but the fanciful bilges to the columns are, we think, in violation of the prin- ciple of stability. The exterior (186), though possessing many fine points, in hardly equal in merit, there being no feature sufficiently predominant to give proportion.
Two or three designs for remodelling the National Gallery, among them Mr. Allom's, we are not disposed to consider ameliorations : but we should like to see the "improvements of the banks of the Thames," suggested by this artist in the beautiful drawing No. 199, car- ried into effect.
Among the other designs, we may mention the Tomb by Mr. Truefitt (53)—in which wrought-iron is skilfully used; the beautiful drawings of Warehouses by Mr. Walters (72, 153) ; the designs for the Governesses'', Institution (79, 178), and of houses at Tulsa Hill, by Mr. J. R Seddon— in which there is originality; as there is also in the construction of the cottage (93) by Mr. James Edmeston, and in the House of Correction (94) by Mr. Braithwaite. No. 281, by Mr. C. Gray, is a design for Club Chambers—a desideratum in London. No. 165 is a competition-design by Mr. G. G. Scott for King's College Hospital ; the panelled gables of which are a Continental feature.
In representations of ancient buildings the exhibition is rich. Nos. 10 and 17, the "Elevations of Lincoln Minster," by Mr. Penrose are very beautiful; as also are the picturesque sketches of Scotch architecture, by Mr. Billings (100 to 107). Some of the original drawings engraved in Mr. Ruskin's "Stones of Venice" appear here, testifying to the author's conscientious accuracy (Nos. 111, 112, 114, 124 to 126) : and portions of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Church have been beautifully given by Mr. J. P. Seddon (in Nos. 29,42, 162)—a gentleman whose works arrest attention by their pictorial vigour, and repay examination by their prac- ticality and thoroughness. The "Church of Swartz Rheindorff" (13) by. Mr. Thomas Hill, and a series of wooden porches by Mr. I. D. Wyatt (89), are also well rendered.
Besides the drawings on the walls, the exhibition comprises some statues and models; among which are tho model of the great Central Railway Terminus proposed by Mr. Pearson, and a collection of architec-, tural materials of much practical utility; although, lucked, this section is not so complete as it may doubtless become in future exhibitions, owing probably to its not having been sufficiently known that such works would be admitted.
There is sufficient evidence in this collection that the art of architec- ture is advancing. The rapidity of its progress is not so rapid as we could wish; but we feel convinced that nothing tends more effectually to promote it than the bringing together of its professors' works for mutual and public criticism. With this conviction, we trust that the efforts of the managers of the institution will meet with the success they claim, and triumph over the obstacles in their path, which doubtless are numerous and formidable.
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