Britton, John [Hrsg.]: The fine arts of the English school: illustrated by a series of engravings from paintings, sculpture, and architecture, of eminent English artists ; with ample biographical, critical, and descriptive essays (London, 1812) [Cicognara, 14]

MONUMENTAL STATUE:

DESIGNED AND EXECUTED IN MARBLE

BY

JOHN FLAXMAN, ESQ. R.A.

THE SUBJECT,

" THY WILL BE DONE;"

OK,

RESIGN A 770 A.

To accomplish a great end by small means, is one of the chief tests and
prerogatives of genius. Few and simple as are the materials afforded by a
single figure, nearly covered with drapery, the inventive genius of Mr. Flaxman
has taken a wider scope than that of the pious expression suggested by the
words of the motto, and has expanded the sentiment of Resignation into the
loftier, comprehensive, and generic character of Religion. The delicate and
devoutly compressed hands, and general air of the figure, exhibit the pious
confidence of Faith. A holy Hope is displayed in the elevated countenance,
" divinely darting upward every wish." The superior grace of Charity, whose
capacious bosom glows with the general love of fellow-man, pre-eminently
shines in the benignant face, and gentle aspect of the whole form. These
prime features of Religion are more forcibly pourtrayed in the native expression
of the figure than they could be by a hundred such extrinsic emblems as the
Cross, the Anchor, and naked Children; for they address the sympathetic
feelings of the heart, and awaken its best affections by the enchanting