DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1311#0184
152 THE GREAT EXHIBITION
difficult, at the same time, to confine ourselves to generalities where the subject is so
replete and tempting; and therefore we plunge at once in medias res. It is then with
" Artists' Implements" of our own period with which we have to deal, and as they were
represented at the Exhibition of which we have to write.
No. 1, in the Fine Art Court, showed us several contributions from Mr. T. Miller,
of Long Acre. These consisted of specimens of paintings in " silica colours" and "glass
medium," but which appeared to exemplify no one particular virtue unattainable by
other pigments. Most of the pictures themselves, more particularly that of the " Genius
of Peace," were distinguished for considerable ability in handling, and a correct pro-
bationary course of study. In that of Mr. Corbould's " Britons deploring the Departure
of the Romans," we fancy we detected amidst its "trick/' more particularly in the
orange mantle, in the surge of the sea, and on the shore, an indication of " body," and
the presence of a medium which belongs less to the element of water, than to that of
gums, resinous compounds, or of oil. As a work of art, we object not to the use of
any extraneous aid; we have to deal with it as an evidence of the powers of a particular
and express fact; and we could, therefore, have desired that, for the sake of art, that which
appeals to us as possessing extraordinary claims upon attention, should have brought
with it the first necessary proofs of superiority. The brushes in this case appeared
admirably made; and, in this respect, Mr. Miller, we believe, stands almost alone, having
had a long practical experience in this branch of trade, which requires an intimate
knowledge of the wants and caprices of the artist.
Rowney and Co., of Rathbone-place.—These exhibitors savour a good deal of the fasbion
of the time, and gave us an almost bewildering classification of colours. Their dividing
Naples yellow into tints is, however, a valuable exception, and their desire to supply
the artist with a cheap, and, at the same time, a good article, is entitled to praise.
W. H. Kearney, Brompton, gave examples of crayon painting, executed with his Venetian
pastils, which are impervious to damp, and, therefore, adapted to many decorations
hitherto beyond the reach of ordinary painting. Roberson and Co., of Long-acre,
showed a very good selection of canvass painting-brushes, and pencils, which was indicative
of a sterling respectability without meretricious allurement. The palette-knife, for placing
the colour on the canvas or panel, without the aid of the brush, is a neat adaptation of
the common trowel-handle, and will be found of much service, where boldness of
impasto is required. There were several specimens of water-colours, in collapsible tubes,
admirably adapted for sketching from nature; and a newly-invented oil sketch-book,
very light and convenient, and which enables the sketcher to carry two wet paintings
without injury. The prepared canvas in the same case was worthy of remark, from its
being a successful attempt to give to that fabric the surface of fine panel. Messrs.
Reeves and Sons, of Cheapside, contributed a case of some importance to artists,
inasmuch as it contained the proofs of an efficient substitute for the far-famed black-lead
mine of Cumberland, which is now thoroughly exhausted. It is well known, that,
for all purposes having reference to art, this lead of Cumberland was unsurpassable;
that no other could compare with it in quality of colour, absence of grit, nor was any so
easy to erase; indeed, that no other yet found could be thus made use of in its natural
state. That from the Balearic Islands is "cindery," that from Ceylon, though purer than
any plumbago known, in the excess of its carbon, and the small portion of iron and
earthy matter, is too soft and flaky; that termed Mexican is really produced from
mines in Bohemia, and is also friable and earthy. Other varieties, from Sicily, from
California, from Davis' Straits', and elsewhere, have been tried, but all have proved unfit
for the use of the artist. Cumberland lead was the only black-lead that in its native
state could be cut into slices; and thus be inserted into the channels of the cedar
difficult, at the same time, to confine ourselves to generalities where the subject is so
replete and tempting; and therefore we plunge at once in medias res. It is then with
" Artists' Implements" of our own period with which we have to deal, and as they were
represented at the Exhibition of which we have to write.
No. 1, in the Fine Art Court, showed us several contributions from Mr. T. Miller,
of Long Acre. These consisted of specimens of paintings in " silica colours" and "glass
medium," but which appeared to exemplify no one particular virtue unattainable by
other pigments. Most of the pictures themselves, more particularly that of the " Genius
of Peace," were distinguished for considerable ability in handling, and a correct pro-
bationary course of study. In that of Mr. Corbould's " Britons deploring the Departure
of the Romans," we fancy we detected amidst its "trick/' more particularly in the
orange mantle, in the surge of the sea, and on the shore, an indication of " body," and
the presence of a medium which belongs less to the element of water, than to that of
gums, resinous compounds, or of oil. As a work of art, we object not to the use of
any extraneous aid; we have to deal with it as an evidence of the powers of a particular
and express fact; and we could, therefore, have desired that, for the sake of art, that which
appeals to us as possessing extraordinary claims upon attention, should have brought
with it the first necessary proofs of superiority. The brushes in this case appeared
admirably made; and, in this respect, Mr. Miller, we believe, stands almost alone, having
had a long practical experience in this branch of trade, which requires an intimate
knowledge of the wants and caprices of the artist.
Rowney and Co., of Rathbone-place.—These exhibitors savour a good deal of the fasbion
of the time, and gave us an almost bewildering classification of colours. Their dividing
Naples yellow into tints is, however, a valuable exception, and their desire to supply
the artist with a cheap, and, at the same time, a good article, is entitled to praise.
W. H. Kearney, Brompton, gave examples of crayon painting, executed with his Venetian
pastils, which are impervious to damp, and, therefore, adapted to many decorations
hitherto beyond the reach of ordinary painting. Roberson and Co., of Long-acre,
showed a very good selection of canvass painting-brushes, and pencils, which was indicative
of a sterling respectability without meretricious allurement. The palette-knife, for placing
the colour on the canvas or panel, without the aid of the brush, is a neat adaptation of
the common trowel-handle, and will be found of much service, where boldness of
impasto is required. There were several specimens of water-colours, in collapsible tubes,
admirably adapted for sketching from nature; and a newly-invented oil sketch-book,
very light and convenient, and which enables the sketcher to carry two wet paintings
without injury. The prepared canvas in the same case was worthy of remark, from its
being a successful attempt to give to that fabric the surface of fine panel. Messrs.
Reeves and Sons, of Cheapside, contributed a case of some importance to artists,
inasmuch as it contained the proofs of an efficient substitute for the far-famed black-lead
mine of Cumberland, which is now thoroughly exhausted. It is well known, that,
for all purposes having reference to art, this lead of Cumberland was unsurpassable;
that no other could compare with it in quality of colour, absence of grit, nor was any so
easy to erase; indeed, that no other yet found could be thus made use of in its natural
state. That from the Balearic Islands is "cindery," that from Ceylon, though purer than
any plumbago known, in the excess of its carbon, and the small portion of iron and
earthy matter, is too soft and flaky; that termed Mexican is really produced from
mines in Bohemia, and is also friable and earthy. Other varieties, from Sicily, from
California, from Davis' Straits', and elsewhere, have been tried, but all have proved unfit
for the use of the artist. Cumberland lead was the only black-lead that in its native
state could be cut into slices; and thus be inserted into the channels of the cedar