DOI issue:
No. 385 (April 1925)
DOI article:Bennett, T. P.: Recent work by Mr. Gilbert Bayes
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21402#0204
RECENT WORK BY MR. GILBERT BAYES
developed a system of carving and piercing But whilst it is interesting, indeed
painted wood in which his peculiar fascinating, to dwell upon small work it
penchant for relief is able to obtain full must not be forgotten that Mr. Bayes is
effect. These panels have so far been an architectural sculptor of unmistakable
executed in a form which makes them ability. It is a considerable loss to find
suitable for interior ornaments, and as that some of his most important work in
such there can be few purchasable works recent years is not visible in London, or,
of art which would be more interesting indeed, in England. It is probably well
or more attractive. It may well be, known that he has executed some fine
however, that such a use is but a pre- groups for a large West-End building
liminary to work on a much larger and more which have yet to be fixed in position,
imposing scale, since it would seem a very while his two great equestrian groups
obvious development to place these panels of War and Peace will remain unfamiliar
in an architectural setting and to make to the English public, since they are to be
them part of a decorative scheme in an erected in New South Wales. One of
important interior. 0000 these groups was on view a few years ago
It is pleasant to discover that an Indian in the courtyard of the Royal Academy
merchant of great importance should go Exhibition. In this group the sculptor
to a leading English sculptor for so simple has used his characteristic, well-built
an accessory as a smoking cabinet. The horse with a particularly finely-modelled
cabinet illustrated has been made by Mr. head and magnificent front quarters and
Bayes for the board-room table of Sir Do- neck. The seated figure, riding merely
rabji Tata, whose interests embrace hydro- on a cloth, without stirrups or harness,
electricity works, engineering, banking, conveys the impression of peace—a care-
iron and cotton. The casket is executed less rider who has nothing to fear. The
in ivory, bronze and silver, and the figures masks of tragedy and comedy, the painter's
on the angles and the reliefs on the sides palette, the fruit and flowers, all indicate
and ends are designed to illustrate the mul- the outcome of safe conditions of life,
titudinous interests of the board by which Properly mounted, with a suitable base
it will be surrounded. In the centre is a surrounding it, this and the sister figure
movable lamp in the form of a lotus flower, of War cannot help being impressive. 0
"OXEN OF SIENA. WOOD
PANEL, CARVED, PIERCED AND
COLOURED BY GILBERT BAYES
198
developed a system of carving and piercing But whilst it is interesting, indeed
painted wood in which his peculiar fascinating, to dwell upon small work it
penchant for relief is able to obtain full must not be forgotten that Mr. Bayes is
effect. These panels have so far been an architectural sculptor of unmistakable
executed in a form which makes them ability. It is a considerable loss to find
suitable for interior ornaments, and as that some of his most important work in
such there can be few purchasable works recent years is not visible in London, or,
of art which would be more interesting indeed, in England. It is probably well
or more attractive. It may well be, known that he has executed some fine
however, that such a use is but a pre- groups for a large West-End building
liminary to work on a much larger and more which have yet to be fixed in position,
imposing scale, since it would seem a very while his two great equestrian groups
obvious development to place these panels of War and Peace will remain unfamiliar
in an architectural setting and to make to the English public, since they are to be
them part of a decorative scheme in an erected in New South Wales. One of
important interior. 0000 these groups was on view a few years ago
It is pleasant to discover that an Indian in the courtyard of the Royal Academy
merchant of great importance should go Exhibition. In this group the sculptor
to a leading English sculptor for so simple has used his characteristic, well-built
an accessory as a smoking cabinet. The horse with a particularly finely-modelled
cabinet illustrated has been made by Mr. head and magnificent front quarters and
Bayes for the board-room table of Sir Do- neck. The seated figure, riding merely
rabji Tata, whose interests embrace hydro- on a cloth, without stirrups or harness,
electricity works, engineering, banking, conveys the impression of peace—a care-
iron and cotton. The casket is executed less rider who has nothing to fear. The
in ivory, bronze and silver, and the figures masks of tragedy and comedy, the painter's
on the angles and the reliefs on the sides palette, the fruit and flowers, all indicate
and ends are designed to illustrate the mul- the outcome of safe conditions of life,
titudinous interests of the board by which Properly mounted, with a suitable base
it will be surrounded. In the centre is a surrounding it, this and the sister figure
movable lamp in the form of a lotus flower, of War cannot help being impressive. 0
"OXEN OF SIENA. WOOD
PANEL, CARVED, PIERCED AND
COLOURED BY GILBERT BAYES
198