DOI Heft:
No. 155 (February, 1906)
DOI Artikel:Baldry, Alfred Lys: A notable sculptor: Alfred Drury, A.R.A.
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20714#0024
Alfred Drury, A.R.A.
sculpture a firmness of conviction that was unintelligent repetition of certain processes of execu-
eminently satisfying to youthful aspirants who were tion which he prescribed. He sought rather to
seeking the right direction for the future expression induce each of his pupils to think out the problems
of their own ideas. They found themselves, for of his art with real independence, and to realise
once, in the closest association with a master mind, how the vital principles which underlie all memo-
in contact with an individuality which was unlike rable accomplishment could best be applied. That
any to which they had hitherto been accustomed; he succeeded is evident enough to us to-day, for
and they were taught to see the traditions of their we can refer to the work which these men have
art in a new light. been doing for nearly a quarter of a century, and
As a consequence there came quickly into exist- we can see in it how appropriately each one has
ence a group of young students of sculpture who, applied the master's precepts.
under Dalou's direction, began to show a high One of the most distinguished members of this
sense of artistic responsibility and a firm grasp of group is Mr. Alfred Drury, who had a longer and
executive essentials. Inspired by his example and in many ways a more definite association with
guided by his instruction, these students brought Dalou than any of the other students who were
into British art a fresh note, of which the signifi- brought under the great Frenchman's influence,
cance could not be mistaken. As years have Mr. Drury at the time of Dalou's advent in England
gone by they have one by one risen to deserved was working in the South Kensington school. He
prominence in their profession, and upon the had come there on the advice of Mr. Thomas
teaching which they received from the great French- Brock, late in the seventies, to continue the artistic
man they have built up a notable amount of sterling training which he had commenced some time pre-
achievement which has done much to raise the viously in the Oxford School of Art; and he had
repute of the sculpture of this country all over the even then fixed upon sculpture as his particular
world. Each one of them has developed a manner subject. This decision was, no doubt, due in great
personal to himself; Dalou's training did not pro- measure to the inspiration of his surroundings at
duce merely a school of copyists, nor did it lead to Oxford : to the stimulating of his aesthetic inclina-
' TRUTH AND JUSTICE" (NEW WAR OFFICE BUILDING) BY ALFRED DRURY
4
sculpture a firmness of conviction that was unintelligent repetition of certain processes of execu-
eminently satisfying to youthful aspirants who were tion which he prescribed. He sought rather to
seeking the right direction for the future expression induce each of his pupils to think out the problems
of their own ideas. They found themselves, for of his art with real independence, and to realise
once, in the closest association with a master mind, how the vital principles which underlie all memo-
in contact with an individuality which was unlike rable accomplishment could best be applied. That
any to which they had hitherto been accustomed; he succeeded is evident enough to us to-day, for
and they were taught to see the traditions of their we can refer to the work which these men have
art in a new light. been doing for nearly a quarter of a century, and
As a consequence there came quickly into exist- we can see in it how appropriately each one has
ence a group of young students of sculpture who, applied the master's precepts.
under Dalou's direction, began to show a high One of the most distinguished members of this
sense of artistic responsibility and a firm grasp of group is Mr. Alfred Drury, who had a longer and
executive essentials. Inspired by his example and in many ways a more definite association with
guided by his instruction, these students brought Dalou than any of the other students who were
into British art a fresh note, of which the signifi- brought under the great Frenchman's influence,
cance could not be mistaken. As years have Mr. Drury at the time of Dalou's advent in England
gone by they have one by one risen to deserved was working in the South Kensington school. He
prominence in their profession, and upon the had come there on the advice of Mr. Thomas
teaching which they received from the great French- Brock, late in the seventies, to continue the artistic
man they have built up a notable amount of sterling training which he had commenced some time pre-
achievement which has done much to raise the viously in the Oxford School of Art; and he had
repute of the sculpture of this country all over the even then fixed upon sculpture as his particular
world. Each one of them has developed a manner subject. This decision was, no doubt, due in great
personal to himself; Dalou's training did not pro- measure to the inspiration of his surroundings at
duce merely a school of copyists, nor did it lead to Oxford : to the stimulating of his aesthetic inclina-
' TRUTH AND JUSTICE" (NEW WAR OFFICE BUILDING) BY ALFRED DRURY
4