File:The masterpieces of the Centennial international exhibition of 1876 (1876) (14595815447).jpg

Identifier: masterpiecesofce02shin (find matches)
Title: The masterpieces of the Centennial international exhibition of 1876 ..
Year: 1876 (1870s)
Authors: Shinn, Earl, 1838-1886 Smith, Walter Wilson, Joseph M. (Joseph Miller), 1838-1902
Subjects: Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publisher: Philadelphia, Gebbie & Barrie
Contributing Library: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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the design and the richness of color in its severalparts, but also for the technical excellence which, in so large an object, is verygreat. In shape it is like a vase. Around the stem or shaft are dolphinsmodeled in full relief heads downward and with mouths open lor the passageof the water, which gushes out in as many streams into the basin in which thefountain is supposed to stand. Above and around the body of the vase is acharming design in relief—cupids swinging in hammocks suspended betweencomic masks, and leaning over as if watching the play of the water beneaththem. It is not apparent that there is any play of water above the vase, butif there is we may imagine it flowing over its curved lip in a crystal sheet,bathing the naked bodies of the little cupids in a manner refreshing tocontemplate. 292 THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1876. On pages 290 and 291 we illustrate several examples of the wonderfulJapanese Porcelain, a material which in the hands of oriental artificers seems
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Carved Walnut Mirror-lramc Fniltini. Florence. capable of almost any form and color-treatment. Our first group oi illustra-tions show these several styles of vases, each one of them odd and curiousenough in shape and decoration to repay careful examination. On the broad INDUSTRIAL ART. 293 surface of the first vase is a bit of pictorial art—a group of tall palm-treesbending beneath the weight of their leaves, while in the foreground, on theedge of a marshy pool, stands a stork reaching forward in the act of seizingits prey. The study of nature here, as indeed in all Japanese work of thischaracter, is perfect. Every detail of plant-life, bud and leaf and flower, hasbeen carefully and faithfully studied and as carefully and faithfully portrayed.So too with the bird: its pose is instinct with life, and vividly conveys theimpression of alert watchfulness. The second vase,with its elephantsheads for handles,has somethine ofgrotesquenessaboutit, though its outlineis severely plain.The pri

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