416 Fine Arts. 



Europe, have attained, within the period In ques- 

 tion, considerable celebrity. 



The art of taking human likenesses in Wai\ 

 though not absolutely peculiar to the eighteenth 

 century, has been carried to a degree of perfection 

 during this period, which was never before known. 

 In this art, Mrs. Wright, an ingenious American 

 lady; Mr. Gossett, and his nephew, of Great- 

 Britain; and several others on the continent of 

 Europe, have gained very honourable distinction. 



The various compositions for Busts and other 

 kinds of statuary, which modern genius has in- 

 vented, are worthy of notice in this brief sketch of 

 the peculiarities of the last age. Those, in parti- 

 cular, by Wedgew^ood and Bent ley, of Great- 

 Britain, are entitled to the highest praise. Modern 

 artists are also distinguished above all others by the 

 facihty and accuracy w^lth which they take copies 

 of antique specimens of sculpture in common 

 plastic materials. The utility as well as elegance 

 of this mode of multiplying the monuments of an- 

 cient genius make it worthy of being noticed among 

 the honours of the eighteenth century. 



In France a new method of representing the 

 human figure has been lately adopted. Guirhard 

 and Dehl, of that country, in 1800, completed 

 a h um an figure in Porcelain^ of four feet high . This 

 is probably the largest made of the same material 

 ever seen. They can, however, still magnify them 

 to the size of life. The advantages to be derived 

 from adopting this kind of statuary, are durability, 

 cheapness, and expedition and ease of production. 

 Porcelain is as liard as silex, and less liable to in- 

 jury than marble. These figures may be prepared 

 in a mould, by which means the statues of great 

 men may be muUiplied with little labour and at 

 a small expense.' 



/ Garnltt's Annalt of Philosophy, &c. for 180O. 



