DOI Heft:
No. 313 (April 1919)
DOI Artikel:Gibson, Frank: The sculpture of Professor James Havard Thomas
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21357#0095
THE SCULPTURE OF PROFESSOR JAMES HAVARD THOMAS
BY FRANK GIBSON
"AGRICULTURE" BAS-RELIEF PANEL BY J. HAVARD THOMAS
UNTIL 1905 the work of Havard a realistic work, is the wonderful way in which
Thomas was comparatively un- the action has been preserved and sustained
known to the general public in while the complicated stages of the execution
England. It was in that year that were carried on. What can be better proof that
it was prominently brought under the notice of Professor Thomas, for all his realism, has great
people who take any interest in art at all by the constructive powers ? The Lycidas cast in
refusal of the Royal Academy to admit into bronze, and now in the Tate Gallery (thanks to
their annual exhibition the figure modelled by the generosity of Professor Sadler), proves this,
him in black wax called Lycidas. This rejection Here the present and future generations can
caused a great stir, both inside and outside of study one of the most beautiful statues which a
the Academy. But the authorities of the British sculptor has created. Its delicate outer
New Gallery, at the instance of Sir William and inner rhythms, its unity of subtle movement,
Richmond, R.A., an enthusiastic and chivalrous and consistent physical development are all
admirer of the sculptor, came to the rescue, and made up of details which can be studied with
gave the statue hospitality and the place of pleasure as parts of a perfect masterpiece,
honour in their sculpture-hall. There, well and The life of Professor Thomas has been wholly
adequately shown, the statue, for the remainder occupied by hard work, experiment, and cease-
of the season, was the centre of a discussion that less research in his profession. Born at Bristol,
ran high in art circles. Those who looked upon he is of Welsh descent on both sides. He studied
the work as a whole and with breadth of vision at the local school of art, and in 1872 began to
at once received the impression that here was a show at the Royal Academy. His first appear-
genuine statue. ance there was with a bust of the Reverend
The Lycidas was the result of years of labour Canon Knight, and the following year with the
and thought. In spite of its extreme literalness portrait of another clergyman, the Reverend
it is not at all obvious or trivial in character, but H. J. Roper. In 1876 he was living in London,
arrests the attention of the spectator at once by and again showed at the Academy, this time ah
its spontaneity and truth to Nature, for in it imaginative work called The Arcadian Shepherd
every muscle of the model seems to be suggested. Boy. He also sent a portrait of Cardinal Man-
One of the most actual facts to Nature in this ning, whose striking head and features had at-
statue is the subtle rendering of its pose. This tracted not only the sculptor himself but also
quality alone shows the highest creative power, the leading artists of the day. Portraits and
For a very remarkable fact about the Lycidas, ideal work seemed to occupy the energies of
79
BY FRANK GIBSON
"AGRICULTURE" BAS-RELIEF PANEL BY J. HAVARD THOMAS
UNTIL 1905 the work of Havard a realistic work, is the wonderful way in which
Thomas was comparatively un- the action has been preserved and sustained
known to the general public in while the complicated stages of the execution
England. It was in that year that were carried on. What can be better proof that
it was prominently brought under the notice of Professor Thomas, for all his realism, has great
people who take any interest in art at all by the constructive powers ? The Lycidas cast in
refusal of the Royal Academy to admit into bronze, and now in the Tate Gallery (thanks to
their annual exhibition the figure modelled by the generosity of Professor Sadler), proves this,
him in black wax called Lycidas. This rejection Here the present and future generations can
caused a great stir, both inside and outside of study one of the most beautiful statues which a
the Academy. But the authorities of the British sculptor has created. Its delicate outer
New Gallery, at the instance of Sir William and inner rhythms, its unity of subtle movement,
Richmond, R.A., an enthusiastic and chivalrous and consistent physical development are all
admirer of the sculptor, came to the rescue, and made up of details which can be studied with
gave the statue hospitality and the place of pleasure as parts of a perfect masterpiece,
honour in their sculpture-hall. There, well and The life of Professor Thomas has been wholly
adequately shown, the statue, for the remainder occupied by hard work, experiment, and cease-
of the season, was the centre of a discussion that less research in his profession. Born at Bristol,
ran high in art circles. Those who looked upon he is of Welsh descent on both sides. He studied
the work as a whole and with breadth of vision at the local school of art, and in 1872 began to
at once received the impression that here was a show at the Royal Academy. His first appear-
genuine statue. ance there was with a bust of the Reverend
The Lycidas was the result of years of labour Canon Knight, and the following year with the
and thought. In spite of its extreme literalness portrait of another clergyman, the Reverend
it is not at all obvious or trivial in character, but H. J. Roper. In 1876 he was living in London,
arrests the attention of the spectator at once by and again showed at the Academy, this time ah
its spontaneity and truth to Nature, for in it imaginative work called The Arcadian Shepherd
every muscle of the model seems to be suggested. Boy. He also sent a portrait of Cardinal Man-
One of the most actual facts to Nature in this ning, whose striking head and features had at-
statue is the subtle rendering of its pose. This tracted not only the sculptor himself but also
quality alone shows the highest creative power, the leading artists of the day. Portraits and
For a very remarkable fact about the Lycidas, ideal work seemed to occupy the energies of
79