DOI issue:
No. 289 (April 1917)
DOI article:Studio-talk
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.24576#0143
Studio-Talk
GLADSTONE MEMORIAL-FIGURE OF "HISTORY”
PITTENDRIGH MACGILLIVRAY, R.S.A.. SCULPTOR
in St. Andrew Square and in line with the
spacious George Street—and that it provides
the essential southern exposure. For the selec-
tion of Mr. Pittendrigh MacGillivray, R.S.A.,
LL.D., as the sculptor, Scotland is indebted to
the prescience of the late Sir George Reid,
P.R.S.A. and the result has thoroughly war-
ranted the choice. The architectural base—a
soft shade of red unpolished granite—as well as
the statuary was designed by the artist, and
the modelling of the figures, untouched by any
other hand, was entirely his work. The result
is a co-ordination of sculpture and architecture
such as is seldom met with.
Both in painting and sculpture Gladstone
has been well depicted in simple morning dress.
Here the artist has presented, not the politician,
but the statesman, clothed in the uniform of
a Privy Councillor over which is thrown the
robe of Chancellor of the Exchequer. We have
thus an added dignity imparted to the portrait,
which, however, does not lose any of its arrest-
ing personality on account of these sartorial
adornments. Indeed those who have frequently,
as the writer of these notes has done, seen
Gladstone facing an audience ready to respond
to the thrilling tones of the greatest orator of
his time, could just realize his countenance as
Dr. MacGillivray has modelled it, in the dignified
repose following some conclusive statement.
The robes fall in graceful lines, and even the
back view, so frequently not treated with the
same skill as other portions of the drapery,
conveys a feeling of air in the enveloping folds.
The four symbolic figures set round the
pillar have in them much of the romantic and
humanistic, while classic in style. Faith holding
to her breast a Bible on which is a crucifix,
and Fortitude, her hands resting on a shield
which bears a thorn-crowned head of the
Saviour—the design used by Gladstone as a
book-plate—emblematize the great place the
Church occupied in the life of one who amid all
the distractions and anxieties of Premiership
yet esteemed it a privilege to read the lessons
in a country church. Measure appropriately
symbolizes his duties as Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, and Vitality that quality of leadership
which he possessed in superlative degree.
GLADSTONE MEMORIAL-FIGURE OF “ELOQUENCE”
PITTENDRIGH MACGILLIVRAY, R.S.A., SCULPTOR
133
GLADSTONE MEMORIAL-FIGURE OF "HISTORY”
PITTENDRIGH MACGILLIVRAY, R.S.A.. SCULPTOR
in St. Andrew Square and in line with the
spacious George Street—and that it provides
the essential southern exposure. For the selec-
tion of Mr. Pittendrigh MacGillivray, R.S.A.,
LL.D., as the sculptor, Scotland is indebted to
the prescience of the late Sir George Reid,
P.R.S.A. and the result has thoroughly war-
ranted the choice. The architectural base—a
soft shade of red unpolished granite—as well as
the statuary was designed by the artist, and
the modelling of the figures, untouched by any
other hand, was entirely his work. The result
is a co-ordination of sculpture and architecture
such as is seldom met with.
Both in painting and sculpture Gladstone
has been well depicted in simple morning dress.
Here the artist has presented, not the politician,
but the statesman, clothed in the uniform of
a Privy Councillor over which is thrown the
robe of Chancellor of the Exchequer. We have
thus an added dignity imparted to the portrait,
which, however, does not lose any of its arrest-
ing personality on account of these sartorial
adornments. Indeed those who have frequently,
as the writer of these notes has done, seen
Gladstone facing an audience ready to respond
to the thrilling tones of the greatest orator of
his time, could just realize his countenance as
Dr. MacGillivray has modelled it, in the dignified
repose following some conclusive statement.
The robes fall in graceful lines, and even the
back view, so frequently not treated with the
same skill as other portions of the drapery,
conveys a feeling of air in the enveloping folds.
The four symbolic figures set round the
pillar have in them much of the romantic and
humanistic, while classic in style. Faith holding
to her breast a Bible on which is a crucifix,
and Fortitude, her hands resting on a shield
which bears a thorn-crowned head of the
Saviour—the design used by Gladstone as a
book-plate—emblematize the great place the
Church occupied in the life of one who amid all
the distractions and anxieties of Premiership
yet esteemed it a privilege to read the lessons
in a country church. Measure appropriately
symbolizes his duties as Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, and Vitality that quality of leadership
which he possessed in superlative degree.
GLADSTONE MEMORIAL-FIGURE OF “ELOQUENCE”
PITTENDRIGH MACGILLIVRAY, R.S.A., SCULPTOR
133