MAJOLICA. M. EMILE LESSORE. 389 



ornamental character. The manufacture of majolica was, it 

 is of course well known, revived by Mr. Minton, whose firm 

 in that, as in many other varieties of pottery, takes the lead 

 in point of excellence of decoration. The manufacture of 

 majolica was commenced at Etruria in 1860, and in this 

 style, I believe, Messrs. Wedgwood now produce as much 

 in quantity as is done in any other establishment, while 

 their quality and style of decoration is of commensurate 

 excellence. In the purely artistic portion of the majolica 

 the paintings on plates, dishes, slabs, and other pieces 

 those produced at Etruria are fully equal, both in force of 

 drawing, in purity of style, and in depth as well as delicacy 

 of colouring, to any produced at Sevres ; while in choice of 

 subjects they are far superior to those of the Royal factory. 

 In quantity, too, I believe that the productions in this par- 

 ticular and wonderfully artistic and beautiful style are mul- 

 tiplied by six at Etruria, while they are divided by ten in 

 cost. The principal painter of these majolicas is M. Emile 

 Lessore, an artist of considerable repute, whose works are 

 much sought after.* His majolicas have the advantage of 

 bearing his name, written on the painting itself, either in 

 full, " Emile Lessore," or " E. Lessore." Whether in pas- 

 toral, emblematical or other groups, or in the nude figure, 

 this artist's productions bear the stamp of originality, and 

 are characterised by great freedom and power of touch, and 

 by harmonious and rich colouring. The future collector will 

 be pleased to know that the pieces bearing the name of 

 M. Lessore, and the Wedgwood mark, have been produced 

 since 1859. 



* M. E. Lessore possesses first-rate abilites, and his works are far 

 superior to those of any other artist in this striking and beautiful style. 

 His name is well known as a painter in oil ; but of late years, having 

 turned his attention to producing paintings on pottery, M. Lessore has 

 succeeded, by the liberal and enlightened aid of the Messrs. Wedgwood, 

 in founding a school of decorative art on pottery which bids fair to be of 

 lasting duration, and in which the works of Rubens, Raphael, Titian, 

 and other great masters are interpreted in such a way as to render them 

 applicable to fictile purposes. M. Lessore was, I believe, for a time, at 

 the Royal Works of Sevres. 



