DOI issue:
No. 73 (April 1899)
DOI article:Vallance, Aymer: Mr. Arthur H. Mackmurdo and the Century Guild
DOI article:Studio-talk
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19231#0206
A. H. 'Mackmurdo
element of beauty. This theory would appear to
have developed into a settled conviction with him
while studying drawing from the living model at
Florence. The perception thus acquired of the
rhythmical grace and ordered measure of the
human form, he went on to apply as the standard
of perfection for all other forms, in their degree.
However, the artist disclaims the credit of having
apprehended so excellent a principle independently
by any underived science of his own, attributing it
rather to his early and constant study of such men
as Wren and Stevens. Yet whether either of these
reputed masters can claim to have displayed a
sensitive appreciation of beauty to compare with
that which inspires almost every line of Mr. Mack-
murdo's is a point decidedly open to dispute. The
latter has endeavoured to make this acute sense of
copper repousse sconce
designed (1886) by a. h. mackmurdo
executed by kellock brown
proportion unmistakably insistent throughout each
of his designs. And next he values architectural
severity of line in all structural features, whether it
be in metal work or in wood furniture; as is not
less evident in the simple treatment of the lamp
and sconces here produced, than in the standing
mirror-frame, the writing-table, and the chimney-
piece. The table is of oak, and the artist has
aimed accordingly at maintaining the sturdy
character of the material in every part. The pro-
nounced projections, intended to give distinct
contrast of light and shade and to emphasise the
construction, are features in this design of years
ago which have been followed by many a later
designer exhibiting at the Arts and Crafts Society
and elsewhere. The fireplace (p. 185), dating from
as far back as 1880, is based on architectural lines
of extreme simplicity. It comprises, in the upper
part, a hot-air chamber, the face of it, to relieve
the heaviness of its solid box-like aspect, decorated
with bronze panels illustrating the " Village Black-
smith." Similarly in the case of the brass sconce,
brass sconce designed (1880) by a. h. mackmurdo the copper repousse sconce and the panel, the de-
190
element of beauty. This theory would appear to
have developed into a settled conviction with him
while studying drawing from the living model at
Florence. The perception thus acquired of the
rhythmical grace and ordered measure of the
human form, he went on to apply as the standard
of perfection for all other forms, in their degree.
However, the artist disclaims the credit of having
apprehended so excellent a principle independently
by any underived science of his own, attributing it
rather to his early and constant study of such men
as Wren and Stevens. Yet whether either of these
reputed masters can claim to have displayed a
sensitive appreciation of beauty to compare with
that which inspires almost every line of Mr. Mack-
murdo's is a point decidedly open to dispute. The
latter has endeavoured to make this acute sense of
copper repousse sconce
designed (1886) by a. h. mackmurdo
executed by kellock brown
proportion unmistakably insistent throughout each
of his designs. And next he values architectural
severity of line in all structural features, whether it
be in metal work or in wood furniture; as is not
less evident in the simple treatment of the lamp
and sconces here produced, than in the standing
mirror-frame, the writing-table, and the chimney-
piece. The table is of oak, and the artist has
aimed accordingly at maintaining the sturdy
character of the material in every part. The pro-
nounced projections, intended to give distinct
contrast of light and shade and to emphasise the
construction, are features in this design of years
ago which have been followed by many a later
designer exhibiting at the Arts and Crafts Society
and elsewhere. The fireplace (p. 185), dating from
as far back as 1880, is based on architectural lines
of extreme simplicity. It comprises, in the upper
part, a hot-air chamber, the face of it, to relieve
the heaviness of its solid box-like aspect, decorated
with bronze panels illustrating the " Village Black-
smith." Similarly in the case of the brass sconce,
brass sconce designed (1880) by a. h. mackmurdo the copper repousse sconce and the panel, the de-
190