SCULPTOR,"
Sculptor
Sculptor
said Mrs. Durnford, "the imitative arts of sculpture and painting, made an early appearance in Greece. Statuary, a more simple imitation than painting, was soonest brought to perfection: the statues of Jupiter by Phidias, and of Juno by Polycletes, were executed long before the art of light and shade was known.Another cause likewise concurred to advance statuary before painting, namely, the great demand for statues of the gods. In all countries where the people are barbarous and illiterate, the progress of the arts is extremely slow. Fine arts are also precarious; they are not relished but by persons of taste, who are comparatively very few; for which reason, they will never flourish in any country, unless patronized by the Sovereign, or by men of power and opulence. Our own cathedrals can boast some beautiful specimens of this art, among which the works of Bacon and of Flaxman stand conspicuous. Look, Caroline, at this figure, can you tell me who it is meant to represent?"
Caroline thought it was Mercury, "but what does he hold in his hand, mamma?"
"A caduceus, or wand, my dear, round which are entwined two serpents. Mercury is the god of eloquence, of arts and sciences, and the messenger of Jupiter. When you are a little older, you must learn the history of the Heathen gods and goddesses, else you will remain ignorant of many beautiful allusions in poetry. They are introduced likewise into painting, of which I shall be happy, my Theodore, if you can give me some account."
"It is said to have had its rise among the Egyptians," said Theodore, "but the Greeks, who learned it of them, carried it to the summit of perfection, if we maybelieve the stories related of their Apelles and Zeuxis. The Romans, in the latter times of the Republic, and under the first emperors, were not without considerable masters in the art; but the inundation of barbarians which deluged Italy, proved fatal to the arts, and almost reduced painting to its first elements. It was in Italy, however, that painting returned to its ancient honour, when Cimaluce, born at Florence, transferred the poor remains of the art from a Greek painter into his own country."
"You are right, my dear boy," said his father, "he was seconded in his attempts by other Florentines. The first who gained any reputation, were Ghirlaudias, Michael Angelo's master; Pietro Perugino, the master of Raphael Urbino;and Andrea Verocchio, the teacher of Leonardo da Vinci. Michael Angelo founded the School of Florence; Raphael that of Rome, and Leonardo da Vinci, the School of Milan; to which I may add, the Lombard School under Georgione and Titian. France also has given birth to some eminent painters, as Poussin, Lebrun, David, and others, and our own country, during the last century, has been distinguished by artists, such as Reynolds, Hogarth, West, Barry, Wilson, Morland, Gainsborough, and many others. At the exhibition at Somerset House, you will see a fine collection of paintings, and models of Sculpture, besides a variety of miniature pictures, which are very beautiful. And now, my dear children, I think we have seen all the contents of the Bazaar, which I hope has amused as well as instructed you."
The young people all expressed their thanks to their kind parents for the entertainment they had received, as well from the curious characters which they had seen drawn together by the same motives, as from the inspection of the various articles which the neat and elegant little shops contained.
"I think we could not have spent a morning better," said Mrs. Durnford, "and since we are all of the same opinion we will now return home to dinner, perfectly well satisfied with The Visit to the Bazaar."