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 GROUP:

designed, and executed in marble,

B r

JOHN FLAXMAN, ESQ. R.A.

AND PROFESSOR OF SCULPTURE IN THE ROYAL ACADEMY.
ERECTED

TO THE MEMORY OF WILLIAM, EARL OF MANSFIELD,

IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY-CHURCH.

Grandeur of form, and appropriation of parts, are the visible characteristics of
this original monument. It is distinguished amidst a heterogeneous assemblage
of marble tombs, for its novelty of design, dignified expression, skilful execution,
and sublimity of character. Simple without tameness, grand without pomposity,
and expressive, but free from theatrical exaggeration, it cannot fail to arrest the
attention, and in a great measure satisfy the judgment of the best critics.
The deceased being great and illustrious as a statesman, a judge, and a nobleman
of high rank, it was the duty of the artist to characterize these circumstances
in his monument: Mr. Flaxman has therefore employed the aids of emblem,
attribute, and insignia, the language of his art, for this purpose. In the centre
of a group, and elevated above the whole, is a statue of the judge in his official
robes, and seated in an ancient curule chair. His head is executed from the
admirable portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and is a dignified likeness of the
revered nobleman iu an advanced stage of life; the chair rests on a circular
pedestal, which is surrounded by three statues, allegorical of Justice, Wisdom,
and Death. The latter figure, unlike the generality of such emblems, is neither