DOI Heft:
No. 8 (November, 1893)
DOI Artikel:New publications
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17189#0087
New Publications
ing quarto well know how to produce a book that
pleases many senses at once, and this Andersen is as
good a specimen of the modern fine edition as we
could wish for. While it would perhaps be more
courteous not to contrast two translations of the same
work, yet as some illustrations by Mr. A. J. Gaskin
for another version appeared in the notice of the
Arts and Crafts Exhibition, it is impossible to avoid
the comparison. It is the wisdom of a few to see
good only in a particular school. Others more
catholic are able to admire the work of opposing
factions that have little sympathy for one another.
Here we have illustrations showing fancy and
invention wrought with the delicacy that dis-
tinguishes modern process-engraving, excellently
printed on smooth thick paper ; and it is pleasant to
\
big claus. from andersen's "little mermaid."
praise them highly, on their intrinsic worth, with no
slur on a school that holds all these things repre-
hensible. The mermaid is a very favourite
exercise for the intention of amateur artists, and
a long course of inchoate attempts has led one to
fear the worst. Mr. Weguelin has conquered
in a difficult task, and depicted a very dainty
series of mermaids lovable enough to tempt
mariners to destruction. For humour and buoy-
ancy the illustration of the merchant's son flying
through the air on a trunk, would be hard to beat.
With singularly few accessories of bric-a-brac or
background, the artist has told his story by his
figures, clearly and directly, so much so that he
must, one thinks, have recaptured his own childish
visions and fixed them for other children less
imaginative. The old charm comes back as one
turns the pages, and it is hard to write about them
when Elsa sits sewing shirts of nettles for the wild
swans, when the Emperor proudly but not without
suppressed doubts stalks along in his imaginary
robes—the occasion of a capital drawing herein—
when the swineherd plays du lieber Augustin, or
the soldier with the tinder-box meets the dog with
his eyes as big as mill-wheels, guarding the silver.
A last word of praise for the cover, with its swirls
of water-lines and its quaint fish. Many have
attempted to illustrate Andersen, but we doubt if
any artist of his school will beat Mr. Weguelin, who
reaches the high water-mark in the modern treat-
ment of the gift-book for children of all ages.
Analysis of Ornament. By Ralph N. Wornum.
Eighth edition. (London : Chapman & Hall.
1893.)—This book on the characteristics of style,
an introduction to the study of ornamental art, is
in its eighth edition, and to say as much renders
criticism futile. As an historical sketch of past styles
well studied, admirably digested and excellently
expressed, it must always command respect. The
present day inspires a hope that a new style is
gradually forming which, however difficult to
analyse and define now, will be as peculiarly
(by permission of messks. Lawrence and bullen.)
Victorian as any of those in the thirty-five centuries
here considered, which now appear distinctly typical
of their date. But to break away from tradition is
dangerous before the truths of Arts once alive and
vigorous are well mastered ; hence it is well to study
" Wornum" historically, noting that the under-
lying principles which have become stereotyped by
imitation are still fixed principles which must
needs be to a certain extent the base of future
departures. To prepare a student in design for
pure invention, the evolution of styles must be tho-
roughly grasped, even if he discard all he has learnt
except the fundamental laws which are greater than
all the comments of the schools.
Books Received for Review.—Early Illus-
trated Books, by A. W. Pollard (Kegan Paul,
Trench & Co.) ; The Character and Use of Colours,
by W. J. Muckley (Bailliere, Tindal & Co.)j Art
Essays, by John Burnet (Memorial Hall, Ludgate
Circus); Renaissance Architecture and Ornament in
Spain, by A. W. Prentice (Batsford); On English
Lagoons, by Dr. P. H. Emerson (Nutt); To Gipsy
Land, by E. & J. Pennell (Fisher Unwin); In a
Cornish Tcnvnship (Fisher Unwin) ; Printers'
Marks, by W. Roberts, " Ex Libris Series" (Bell);
The Dial, No. III. (The Vale, Chelsea), &c. &c.
75
ing quarto well know how to produce a book that
pleases many senses at once, and this Andersen is as
good a specimen of the modern fine edition as we
could wish for. While it would perhaps be more
courteous not to contrast two translations of the same
work, yet as some illustrations by Mr. A. J. Gaskin
for another version appeared in the notice of the
Arts and Crafts Exhibition, it is impossible to avoid
the comparison. It is the wisdom of a few to see
good only in a particular school. Others more
catholic are able to admire the work of opposing
factions that have little sympathy for one another.
Here we have illustrations showing fancy and
invention wrought with the delicacy that dis-
tinguishes modern process-engraving, excellently
printed on smooth thick paper ; and it is pleasant to
\
big claus. from andersen's "little mermaid."
praise them highly, on their intrinsic worth, with no
slur on a school that holds all these things repre-
hensible. The mermaid is a very favourite
exercise for the intention of amateur artists, and
a long course of inchoate attempts has led one to
fear the worst. Mr. Weguelin has conquered
in a difficult task, and depicted a very dainty
series of mermaids lovable enough to tempt
mariners to destruction. For humour and buoy-
ancy the illustration of the merchant's son flying
through the air on a trunk, would be hard to beat.
With singularly few accessories of bric-a-brac or
background, the artist has told his story by his
figures, clearly and directly, so much so that he
must, one thinks, have recaptured his own childish
visions and fixed them for other children less
imaginative. The old charm comes back as one
turns the pages, and it is hard to write about them
when Elsa sits sewing shirts of nettles for the wild
swans, when the Emperor proudly but not without
suppressed doubts stalks along in his imaginary
robes—the occasion of a capital drawing herein—
when the swineherd plays du lieber Augustin, or
the soldier with the tinder-box meets the dog with
his eyes as big as mill-wheels, guarding the silver.
A last word of praise for the cover, with its swirls
of water-lines and its quaint fish. Many have
attempted to illustrate Andersen, but we doubt if
any artist of his school will beat Mr. Weguelin, who
reaches the high water-mark in the modern treat-
ment of the gift-book for children of all ages.
Analysis of Ornament. By Ralph N. Wornum.
Eighth edition. (London : Chapman & Hall.
1893.)—This book on the characteristics of style,
an introduction to the study of ornamental art, is
in its eighth edition, and to say as much renders
criticism futile. As an historical sketch of past styles
well studied, admirably digested and excellently
expressed, it must always command respect. The
present day inspires a hope that a new style is
gradually forming which, however difficult to
analyse and define now, will be as peculiarly
(by permission of messks. Lawrence and bullen.)
Victorian as any of those in the thirty-five centuries
here considered, which now appear distinctly typical
of their date. But to break away from tradition is
dangerous before the truths of Arts once alive and
vigorous are well mastered ; hence it is well to study
" Wornum" historically, noting that the under-
lying principles which have become stereotyped by
imitation are still fixed principles which must
needs be to a certain extent the base of future
departures. To prepare a student in design for
pure invention, the evolution of styles must be tho-
roughly grasped, even if he discard all he has learnt
except the fundamental laws which are greater than
all the comments of the schools.
Books Received for Review.—Early Illus-
trated Books, by A. W. Pollard (Kegan Paul,
Trench & Co.) ; The Character and Use of Colours,
by W. J. Muckley (Bailliere, Tindal & Co.)j Art
Essays, by John Burnet (Memorial Hall, Ludgate
Circus); Renaissance Architecture and Ornament in
Spain, by A. W. Prentice (Batsford); On English
Lagoons, by Dr. P. H. Emerson (Nutt); To Gipsy
Land, by E. & J. Pennell (Fisher Unwin); In a
Cornish Tcnvnship (Fisher Unwin) ; Printers'
Marks, by W. Roberts, " Ex Libris Series" (Bell);
The Dial, No. III. (The Vale, Chelsea), &c. &c.
75