FINE ARTS.

EXHIBITION OF ANTIQUE CARVINGS,

Sr. MARTIN'S LANE.

FRESH from the perusal of ALLAN CUNNINGHAM'S notice of the life and works of the celebrated GEINLING GIBBONS, we viewed with lively interest this exhibition of carvings in wood, the works of Flemish and Dutch artists, with some curious specimens of the Gothic. The prin. cipal part of this collection consists of the ornamental parts of a large library belonging to a convent in the Netherlands, with the stall-seats and ornaments of the choir of the chapel, the Gothic oaken pulpit of MARTIN LUTHER, and a pair of massive oaken gates, carved in panels in the Gothic style. A great number of figures the size of life, in high relief, which have very much of the boldness and freedom of the Italian school of carving, fonts the most prominent objects ; and are admirable for grace, ease, and nature. Two terminte supporting Roman Ionic capitals, and carved in a deep-coloured wood, are remarkable for correct. ness of musculation and vigour of marking in the bodies, and character in the heads.

In the room also are several fine old carved frames of the French school of Louis XIV. ; and we were particularly struck with a novel adaptation of embellishment to glass-frames, in an imitation of the Dresden china. The gilding and colouring of one, in particular, was so chaste and china-like, that it required the evidence of the touch to de- tect the deception. This style of adornment seems peculiarly well suited for a lady's boudoir or dressing-room, from its delicacy and beauty. Cornices in this taste would harmonize well with light chintz draperies; and we could almost fancy the elegance of effect which such a combina- tion would produce.

This may appear to be a digression ; it is, however, but an introdua tion to another part of our subject. Upon inquiry, we learnt that the originator of this ingenious and tasteful style of ornament, is a carver of the name of Roasas, living in Church Street, Soho ; who, we were told, was not only a collector of carvings, but a skilful workman, and who prided himself upon possessing several fine specimens of GRINLING GIBBONS'S carving. To him we repaired in a flutter of expectation, and found a glorious litter of antique carvings, Flemish, French, and English—or Gibbons rather; and in the centre of this heap of curiosi- ties, the virtuoso-carver himself. We found him an enthusiast in his art, an adorer of GIBBONS, a man of taste in design, and equally ready with his pencil and his chisel. He was restoring some Gibbons frames, in a style of excellence which baffled our discrimination to detect the modern from the ancient,—which is no mean or undeserved compliment. Our readers may not probably be so familiar with the carvings of GIBBONS as with his name ; but it will suffice to tell them, that the ornamental parts of the choir of St. Paul's are his workmanship and design. The finest and

most elaborate specimens of his style are, however, to be found at Chats. worth and Petworth ; Houghton and Burghley also, and Hampton Court, can boast of his works, and at most of the old churhces in London his style of carving is imitated. The peculiar characteristics of GIBBoNs's chisel are lightness, freedom, and elegance in the flow of his line ; bril- liancy, depth, and facility in his execution. In shells and shell-fish, such as lobsters and crabs, he particularly excelled, and apparently delighted ; for they are constantly introduced in his works. A most beautiful spe-

cimen of his skill in marine productions is to be seen at the New River House in Spafields. His birds, feathers, and flowers, especially delicately- leaved and drooping plants, are singularly airy and real. WALPOLE re- lates, that he carved a vase of flowers so delicately, that their leaves trembled in the wind.

Our ingenious and intelligent artist informed us of two fine specimens of GIBBoxs which were to be seen at Mr. TATeS, in Leicester Square:

thither also we repaired, and found two frames of almost matchless beauty of workmanship, with considerable merit in the designs. A profusion of weeds and flowers were grouped round a square frame, with children and wreaths intermingled with birds and shell-fish, and forming a whole of elaborate finish and richness of composition. The carvings of GIBBONS are admirable, not only for the taste of design, and beauty

of ornament and workmanship, but for the fanciful mode in which the

artist tells a story in the composition. For instance, one frame con- sists of the four elements represented by their various characteristics or productions. Another is called Folly ; and the room in the mansion from

whence it was taken is called the Folly Rt/U111, from the carvings. Thus, by blending in one composition groups or trophies of musical in- struments, implements of war or the chase, emblems of royalty, and the various productions of nature, birds, animals, fish, fruit, and flowers, in the imitation of which the most exquisite skill is apparent, an endless variety of objects is employed to give meaning to the device, and rich. ness of combination to the design.

It was here, also, that we were invited to view

MIL TATE'S STATUE OF THE KING,

of the size of life, and in his Robes of the Garter.

We were agreeably surprised to find, in a work professedly orna. mental in its character, so much that is really good in art. The figure stands well, and in a graceful and easy attitude, the ample robe forming a very appropriate support. The face resembles the King more literally than the portrait by LAWRENCE, from which the model is evidently designed. The dress, particularly the body clothing, is not well adapted for imitation in marble or clay, composed as it is of puckered and tin. selled satin. In the treatment of the robes, also, which not only allow of but required breadth, we remark a littleness of style. But we are forgetting that this model, clever as it is, does not challenge criticism upon the highest ground of fine art. We look upon this not as the work of a sculptor, but of a modeller ; and, as such, as well as in its character of a portrait statue, it is deserving of praise.