Opis: Notes and Queries, Vol. 11 - Author Unknown

Excerpt from Notes and Queries, Vol. 11: A Medium of Inter-Communication for Literary Men, General Readers, Etc

The latter portion was further investigated, and resulted in the removal of the diaper from around the sceptre, and in the recovery of a beautifully drawn flowing foliage instead of the fir cone and acanthus leaves which had hitherto surmounted it. Beneath the jewelled crown lay a highly burnished plain gold crown, consisting of a solid coating of composition, which in its turn concealed the original crown, drawn, like the sceptre-head, with free and admirably pencilled foliage upon the pure gold, which here simply coated the actual gesso ground laid upon the panel itself. This true crown was closely punctured with small holes, so arranged as to form a pattern and repeating the lozenge and oval outlines of the jewels in the circlet of the crown. Puncturings or dottings of this kind, on a plain gilded surface, are considered to be characteristic of MS. illuminations belonging to the later portion of the fourteenth century, and, indeed, the entire appearance of this picture has very much the effect of a page taken from some manuscript volume of that period, and extensively magnified.

The style of painting, with pale brown shadows on the face, the gilded background, and a profusion of bright colours and golden borders to the drapery, closely resembles the productions of the best artists in Italy at the same period.

The clumsy and not ancient frame was found to have encroached largely on the surface of the picture, and to have concealed both the side portions of the chair and the greater part of the curved step in front of the throne. Unfortunately no date or inscription has been found on any part of the picture.

The practical knowledge and assistance of Mr. Chance, an experienced gilder, were of great service in regard to the difficulties of dealing with the burnished crown, globe, and stucco coatings forming the diaper; whilst Mr. Merritt's extreme caution, judicious treatment, and thorough knowledge in the application of means to remove these masses of false colour - without in the slightest degree affecting the delicate tempera painting lying beneath, and in knowing how far to go and when to stop - were of vital importance. Mr. Richmond's power of distinguishing false art from the true, and his jealous protection of all the finer points in the picture as soon as discovered, were a guarantee for the perfect success of the whole; and it is to that gentleman's energy and clearness of views that we are mainly indebted for the achievement of such important results.

The portrait was probably painted from the life in the year 1390, and appears to have undergone its greatest changes early in the sixteenth century; perhaps at the time of the building of Henry VII.'s Chapel, when the diaper was added and the shape of the crown and sceptre altered. Vertue engraved it for the Vetusta Monumenta in 1718. Captain Broome repainted it about 1726, adding the shadows on the ermine tippet from the cross and sceptre, and decorating the globe with acanthus leaves. The picture was removed to the Jerusalem Chamber in 1775, where John Carter saw it and made his careful etching in 1786, which may now be considered as the best record of the picture in the condition from which it has just been rescued. The picture has for the present been returned to the Jerusalem Chamber, and is happily protected by a large sheet of plate glass. It is to be hoped that the picture may soon be restored to its original place in the choir of Westminster Abbey, where in a good open light it will be thoroughly well seen, and, in such a place, become accessible to thousands and thousands of visitors. George Scharf.

National Portrait Gallery, Dec. 1866.

Catholic Periodicals.

I have been requested to draw up a list of Catholic periodical publications in England, Scotland, and Ireland. I believe the following a

Szczegóły: Notes and Queries, Vol. 11 - Author Unknown

Nazwa: Notes and Queries, Vol. 11 A Medium of Inter-Communication for Literary Men, General Readers, Etc (Classic Reprint)
Autor: Author Unknown
Wydawnictwo: FB &c Ltd
Kod paskowy: 9781331450221
Języki: angielski
Ilość stron: 570
Format: 15.2x22.9cm
Oprawa: Miękka

Recenzje: Notes and Queries, Vol. 11 - Author Unknown