[Illustration: _Sculptor_]
said Mrs. Durnford, "the imitative arts of sculpture and painting, made
an early appearance in Greece. Statuary, a more simple imitation than
painting, was soonest brought to perfection: the statues of Jupiter
by Phidias, and of Juno by Polycletes, were executed long before the
art of light and shade was known. Another cause likewise concurred to
advance statuary before painting, namely, the great demand for statues
of the gods. In all countries where the people are barbarous and
illiterate, the progress of the arts is extremely slow. Fine arts are
also precarious; they are not relished but by persons of taste, who are
comparatively very few; for which reason, they will never flourish in
any country, unless patronized by the Sovereign, or by men of power and
opulence. Our own cathedrals can boast some beautiful specimens of this
art, among which the works of Bacon and of Flaxman stand conspicuous.
Look, Caroline, at this figure, can you tell me who it is meant to
represent?"
Caroline thought it was Mercury, "but what does he hold in his hand,
mamma?"
"A caduceus, or wand, my dear, round which are entwined two serpents.
Mercury is the god of eloquence, of arts and sciences, and the
messenger of Jupiter. When you are a little older, you must learn
the history of the Heathen gods and goddesses, else you will remain
ignorant of many beautiful allusions in poetry. They are introduced
likewise into painting, of which I shall be happy, my Theodore, if you
can give me some account."
"It is said to have had its rise among the Egyptians," said Theodore,
"but the Greeks, who learned it of them, carried it to the summit of
perfection, if we may believe the stories related of their Apelles
and Zeuxis. The Romans, in the latter times of the Republic, and under
the first emperors, were not without considerable masters in the art;
but the inundation of barbarians which deluged Italy, proved fatal to
the arts, and almost reduced painting to its first elements. It was
in Italy, however, that painting returned to its ancient honour, when
Cimaluce, born at Florence, transferred the poor remains of the art
from a Greek painter into his own country."
"You are right, my dear boy," said his father, "he was seconded in his
attempts by other Florentines. The first who gained any reputation,
were Ghirlaudias, Michael Angelo's master; Pietro Perugino, the master
of Raphael Urbino; and Andrea Verocchio, the teacher of Leonardo da
Vinci. Michael Angelo founded the School of Florence; Raphael that of
Rome, and Leonardo da Vinci, the School of Milan; to which I may add,
the Lombard School under Georgione and Titian. France also has given
birth to some eminent painters, as Poussin, Lebrun, David, and others,
and our own country, during the last century, has been distinguished
by artists, such as Reynolds, Hogarth, West, Barry, Wilson, Morland,
Gainsborough, and many others. At the exhibition at Somerset House,
you will see a fine collection of paintings, and models of Sculpture,
besides a variety of miniature pictures, which are very beautiful. And
now, my dear children, I think we have seen all the contents of the
Bazaar, which I hope has amused as well as instructed you."
The young people all expressed their thanks to their kind parents
for the entertainment they had received, as well from the curious
characters which they had seen drawn together by the same motives, as
from the inspection of the various articles which the neat and elegant
little shops contained.
"I think we could not have spent a morning better," said Mrs. Durnford,
"and since we are all of the same opinion we will now return home to
dinner, perfectly well satisfied with The Visit to the Bazaar."