DOI Heft:
No. 10 (January, 1894)
DOI Artikel:A fountain by Mr. Swynnerton
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17189#0142
A Fountain
AFOUNTAIN. BY MR. SWYN- 01 in the °entre °f a great entrance hall> like that
NERTON ' ' °^ t^16 ^atura^ History Museum or the Imperial
Institute.
In the studio of Mr. Swynnerton, The complete work stands about twenty-five feet
Beaumont Lodge, Shepherd's Bush, high, and despite its solid base has a marvellous
where Mr. Walter Crane lived for some years, there air of grace and lightness. The unity of the whole
is erected the model of a very distinguished foun- idea is singularly well preserved. Each part seems
the natural consequence
of the rest, and you do
not feel that it is a group
standing on a more or less
appropriate pedestal, still
less that it was built up from
interesting parts, to a more
or less haphazard whole.
From the surging foam at
the base whence emerge
three maids embracing
three youths, who sweep
down plunging to meet
them, to the capital of the
pillar, like a great Gothic
" poppyhead," to the three
boys supporting the floral
crown, which is the apex of
the composition, all is har-
monious, dexterously put
together, and from every
point a graceful work of art.
The fin-like wings of the
figures help to merge the
whole into a perfectly com-
ponent and natural group, so
that each figure is scarcely
distinguishable by itself,
and yet no confusion or
unduly complicated dis-
order results. It is possible
that the lily petals which
encircle the basin at the
foot, and some details
of the floral crown, may
appear rather restless and
out of harmony with the
broad effect of the whole,
tain, which it is to be hoped may some day be But the effect of a design intended for metal
carried out in metal according to the artist's inten- cannot be minutely criticised in white plaster,
tion, and so decorate nobly one of our public The point which deserves insistence is the perfect
places. With the unhappy effect of Mr. Gilbert's concord of all the details into a single work con-
fountain so vividly fresh, one can hardly wish that ceived, one might imagine, from the very first
a busy street should be the place selected, but moment. The modelling of the figures, the group-
rather that it should be set in one of our parks, ing which in every new silhouette comes pleasantly,
with green turf and trees around ; or, perhaps better and the upward rush of the whole, combine to
still, in the quadraagle of some public building, single it out as a work of high achievement.
13° '
THE BASE OF THE FOUNTAIN
AFOUNTAIN. BY MR. SWYN- 01 in the °entre °f a great entrance hall> like that
NERTON ' ' °^ t^16 ^atura^ History Museum or the Imperial
Institute.
In the studio of Mr. Swynnerton, The complete work stands about twenty-five feet
Beaumont Lodge, Shepherd's Bush, high, and despite its solid base has a marvellous
where Mr. Walter Crane lived for some years, there air of grace and lightness. The unity of the whole
is erected the model of a very distinguished foun- idea is singularly well preserved. Each part seems
the natural consequence
of the rest, and you do
not feel that it is a group
standing on a more or less
appropriate pedestal, still
less that it was built up from
interesting parts, to a more
or less haphazard whole.
From the surging foam at
the base whence emerge
three maids embracing
three youths, who sweep
down plunging to meet
them, to the capital of the
pillar, like a great Gothic
" poppyhead," to the three
boys supporting the floral
crown, which is the apex of
the composition, all is har-
monious, dexterously put
together, and from every
point a graceful work of art.
The fin-like wings of the
figures help to merge the
whole into a perfectly com-
ponent and natural group, so
that each figure is scarcely
distinguishable by itself,
and yet no confusion or
unduly complicated dis-
order results. It is possible
that the lily petals which
encircle the basin at the
foot, and some details
of the floral crown, may
appear rather restless and
out of harmony with the
broad effect of the whole,
tain, which it is to be hoped may some day be But the effect of a design intended for metal
carried out in metal according to the artist's inten- cannot be minutely criticised in white plaster,
tion, and so decorate nobly one of our public The point which deserves insistence is the perfect
places. With the unhappy effect of Mr. Gilbert's concord of all the details into a single work con-
fountain so vividly fresh, one can hardly wish that ceived, one might imagine, from the very first
a busy street should be the place selected, but moment. The modelling of the figures, the group-
rather that it should be set in one of our parks, ing which in every new silhouette comes pleasantly,
with green turf and trees around ; or, perhaps better and the upward rush of the whole, combine to
still, in the quadraagle of some public building, single it out as a work of high achievement.
13° '
THE BASE OF THE FOUNTAIN