Decorative Arts in Germmy ami France, 36t 



state of the fine arts, but the whole history of art proves 

 the reverse of this proposition ; and while there can be no 

 reasonable doubt that many of those decorative arts which are 

 more immediately connected with fine art, rise and fall with 

 it ; so do I not doubt that every manufacture where taste can 

 be shewn, however apparently unconnected with fine art, is 

 influenced by its actual state. It will hardly, I think, be de- 

 nied that on tast9 in architecture depends that in house- 

 painting, in furniture, and in iron-work. In every age the 

 forms and ornaments which have been used in these arts have 

 been in accordance with the architectural taste of the time, 

 and, in fact, we can at a glance tell to what period an old piece 

 of iron-work or carving belongs. I have said that a divorce 

 has taken place between fine and ornamental art, and in the 

 medley designs of our house-painters, cabinetmakers, and 

 smiths, the unhappy effects are sufficiently discernible. As- 

 suredly, some centuries hence, should the works of our artizans 

 survive to such a period, they will puzzle the artist and 

 antiquary of these days to decide to what age they belong. 



The majority of modern architects leave their works to be 

 completed by the house-painter, and, I may add, the uphol- 

 sterer and smith, for a house cannot be said to be complete 

 till these artizans have worked in it, and for it. 



If the house be Greek or Italian in architectural style, most 

 house-painters on being consulted will recommend its being 

 painted " a la Louis XIV. ;" if Elizabethan, they will still 

 warmly advise the Louis XIV. ; and if Gothic, they will ad- 

 vocate the same style. The upholsterer thinks of no style at 

 all, neither does the smith. I am not, indeed, aware, that 

 either are ever called upon to furnish a house in accordance 

 with its architecture ; such a thing is never, or, at any rate, 

 rarely, and then only very partially, thought of. We shall 

 see in the course of my observations on foreign buildings, 

 whether such is the case in these. 



That a house should be painted in any style but that of its 

 architecture is preposterous ; we acknowledge this at times 

 in the completion of public or religious buildings. Why should 

 it not be the universal rule ; for certainly furniture might be 



