This is a new form of tableaux, and if well done, exceedingly beautiful.
To prepare and arrange groups of statuary requires artistic skill,
patience, and steady nerves; the two last qualities are necessary for
those acting as statues.
A lady who excels in preparing groups of statues, as we can testify,
has kindly permitted us to give to the public her manner of preparing
them.
First, some effective groups of statuary must be selected, and
carefully examined. Then those persons who are willing to gratify their
friends by acting as statues, can be arranged in the different groups
according to their fitness; those acting as statues, require marked
features, and in most groups fine figures to _build_ upon, as drapery
conceals minor faults. All that can be prepared before the evening,
are the head gear and the articles for drapery. A cap must be made of
white linen or cotton, closely fitting the head. Take candle-wicking,
and knit it on common sized ivory needles, wet it in hot water,
and iron it dry. Then ravel it out, and cut it into the desirable
lengths, and fasten it to the cap like a wig. When placed on the head,
this candle-wicking can be arranged according to the statue to be
represented, and it will resemble the hair carved in marble. If expense
is not to be considered, the drapery should be made of cotton flannel,
as it hangs heavier, and is more easily arranged than sheets, which are
generally used to save expense. From three to four sheets are often
required for the drapery of one person, as it is necessary to hang in
such heavy folds to look like marble. One is usually doubled up and
tied around the waist, the others folded, tied, and pinned, to resemble
the drapery of the statue represented; rules are impossible to give, as
the arrangement can only be made by an ingenious as well as an artistic
person. Now comes the most disagreeable part, that of painting all
exposed parts, such as neck, face, hands or feet, to resemble marble.
First, common whiting must be mixed smoothly in water, the consistency
of milk. This is put on with a shaving brush, and every part wholly
covered with this preparation; let that nearly dry, then rub it in
with the hand, then rub in lily white, to give the flesh, besides the
whiteness of marble, the soft look of polished marble. The lips are
finished at the last moment. Old white stocking legs drawn over the
arms will save the trouble of painting them. Then the statues are ready
to be grouped for exhibition. Any person who is nervous, restless, and
easily inclined to laugh, cannot act as a statue. It is not possible
to realize the beauty of such a group of living statuary, when well
done, unless it has been once seen. We advise those attempting to get
up exhibitions for the benefit of some charitable object, to try a few
groups of living statuary; it is very effective to an audience.