DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.802#0014
EARL OF ELGIN'S COLLECTION OF MARBLES, &c. $
close imitation of nature is combined with grandeur of Style, while the exact details
of the former in no degree detract from the effect and predominance of the latter.
The two finest single figures of this Collection differ materially in this respect from
the Apollo Belvidere, which may be selected as the highest and most sublime repre-
sentation of ideal form, and beauty, which Sculpture has ever embodied, and turned
into shape.
The evidence upon this part of the inquiry will be read with satisfaction and inte-
rest, both where it is immediately connected with these Marbles, and where it branches
out into extraneous observations, but all of them relating to the study of the Antique.
A reference is made by one of the witnesses to a sculptor, eminent throughout Europe
for his works, who lately left this Metropolis highly gratified by the view of these trea-
sures of that branch of Art, which he has cultivated with so much success. His own
better to the Earl of Elgin upon this subject is inserted in the Appendix.
eh In the judgment of Mr. Payne Knight, whose valuation will be referred to in a
subsequent page, the first class is not assigned to the two principal statues of this Col-
lection ; but he rates the Metopes in the first class of works in High Relief, and knows
of nothing so fine in that kind. He places also the Frize in the first class of Low
Relief; and considering a general Museum of Art to be very desirable, he looks upon
such an addition to our National Collection as likely to contribute to the improvement
of the Arts, and to become a very valuable acquisition ; for the importation of which
Lord Elgin is entitled to the gratitude of his Country.
IV.
The directions of the House in the order of reference imposes upon your Committee
the task of forming and submitting an opinion upon the Fourth Head, which other-
wise the scantiness of materials for fixing a pecuniary Value, and the unwillingness, or
\ inability in those who are practically most conversant in Statuary to afford any lights
upon this part of the subject, would have rather induced them to decline^
V, The produce of this Collection, if it should be brought to sale in separate lots, in
the present depreciated state of almost every article, and more particularly of such as
are of precarious and fanciful value, would probably be much inferior to what may be
denominated its intrinsic value.
The mutilated state of all the larger Figures, the want either of heads or features,
of limbs or surface, in most of the Metopes, and in a great proportion of the Compart-
ments even of the larger Frize, render this Collection, if divided, but little adapted to
serve for the decoration of private houses. It should therefore be considered as form-
ing a Whole, and should unquestionably be kept entire as a School of Art, and a
Study for the formation of Artists. The competitors in the market, if it should be
offered for sale without separation, could not.be numerous. Some of the Sovereigns
of Europe, added to such of the great Galleries or national Institutions in various parts
of the Continent as may possess funds at the disposal of their directors sufficient for
such a purpose, would in all probability be the only purchasers.
It is not, however, reasonable, nor becoming the liberality of Parliament, to withhold,
upon this account, whatever, under all the circumstances, may be deemed a just and
close imitation of nature is combined with grandeur of Style, while the exact details
of the former in no degree detract from the effect and predominance of the latter.
The two finest single figures of this Collection differ materially in this respect from
the Apollo Belvidere, which may be selected as the highest and most sublime repre-
sentation of ideal form, and beauty, which Sculpture has ever embodied, and turned
into shape.
The evidence upon this part of the inquiry will be read with satisfaction and inte-
rest, both where it is immediately connected with these Marbles, and where it branches
out into extraneous observations, but all of them relating to the study of the Antique.
A reference is made by one of the witnesses to a sculptor, eminent throughout Europe
for his works, who lately left this Metropolis highly gratified by the view of these trea-
sures of that branch of Art, which he has cultivated with so much success. His own
better to the Earl of Elgin upon this subject is inserted in the Appendix.
eh In the judgment of Mr. Payne Knight, whose valuation will be referred to in a
subsequent page, the first class is not assigned to the two principal statues of this Col-
lection ; but he rates the Metopes in the first class of works in High Relief, and knows
of nothing so fine in that kind. He places also the Frize in the first class of Low
Relief; and considering a general Museum of Art to be very desirable, he looks upon
such an addition to our National Collection as likely to contribute to the improvement
of the Arts, and to become a very valuable acquisition ; for the importation of which
Lord Elgin is entitled to the gratitude of his Country.
IV.
The directions of the House in the order of reference imposes upon your Committee
the task of forming and submitting an opinion upon the Fourth Head, which other-
wise the scantiness of materials for fixing a pecuniary Value, and the unwillingness, or
\ inability in those who are practically most conversant in Statuary to afford any lights
upon this part of the subject, would have rather induced them to decline^
V, The produce of this Collection, if it should be brought to sale in separate lots, in
the present depreciated state of almost every article, and more particularly of such as
are of precarious and fanciful value, would probably be much inferior to what may be
denominated its intrinsic value.
The mutilated state of all the larger Figures, the want either of heads or features,
of limbs or surface, in most of the Metopes, and in a great proportion of the Compart-
ments even of the larger Frize, render this Collection, if divided, but little adapted to
serve for the decoration of private houses. It should therefore be considered as form-
ing a Whole, and should unquestionably be kept entire as a School of Art, and a
Study for the formation of Artists. The competitors in the market, if it should be
offered for sale without separation, could not.be numerous. Some of the Sovereigns
of Europe, added to such of the great Galleries or national Institutions in various parts
of the Continent as may possess funds at the disposal of their directors sufficient for
such a purpose, would in all probability be the only purchasers.
It is not, however, reasonable, nor becoming the liberality of Parliament, to withhold,
upon this account, whatever, under all the circumstances, may be deemed a just and