[Illustration: THE GROSVENOR GALLERY, PARK LANE.]
At the commencement of our Twelfth Volume, we took occasion to allude to
the public spirit of the Earl of Grosvenor, in our description of his
splendid mansion--Eaton Hall, near Chester. We likewise adverted to his
lordship's munificent patronage of the Fine Arts, and to the erection of
the Gallery which forms the subject of the annexed Engraving.
The Gallery forms the western wing of Lord Grosvenor's spacious town
mansion in Park Lane. It is from the designs of Mr. Cundy, and consists
of a colonnade of the Corinthian order, raised upon a plain joined
stylobate. Over each column of the principal building is an isolated
statue with an attic behind them, after the manner of the ancient
building called by Palladio the Forum Trajan at Rome. On the acroteria
of the building are vases on a balustrade, and between the columns is a
series of blank windows with balustraded balconies and triangular
pediments, which Mr. Elmes thinks are so introduced as to disfigure the
other grand parts of the design. Above these are sunk panels, with swags
or garlands of fruit and flowers. Mr. E. is likewise of opinion that,
"but for the stopped-up windows, and the overpowering and needless
balustrade over the heads of the statues, this building would rank among
the very first in the metropolis; even with these trifling drawbacks,
that can easily be remedied before the whole is completed, it is grand,
architectural, and altogether worthy of its noble proprietor."
The reader need not be told that the above Gallery has been erected for
the reception of the superb Grosvenor collection, the first effectual
foundation of which was laid by the purchase of the late Mr. Agar's
pictures for 30,000 guineas, and it has since been gradually enlarged
until it has become one of the finest collection in England. It is not
confined to works of the old masters, but embraces the best productions
of some of the most celebrated modern painters. The Earl of Grosvenor
has, for some years, been in the habit of admitting the public in the
months of May and June, to inspect his pictures, under certain
restrictions.
The Picture Gallery is but a portion of the improvements contemplated by
Lord Grosvenor. The mansion, in the distance of the Engraving is, we
believe, to be rebuilt in a correspondent style with the Gallery, and
the whole when completed, will be one of the most splendid
establishments in the metropolis.
Indeed, the recent embellishment of several mansions in Park Lane is
already indicative of the improved taste of their distinguished
occupants. A few years since the Lane for the most part consisted of
unsightly brick fronts; but stone and plaster encasements have given it
the appearance of a new neighbourhood.
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