fin arts.
THE ARCHITECTURAL PROT2GRAPIEIC ASSOCIATION.
There are few better applications of photography made than in archi- tecture. As a faithful sketcher in of detail no eye could ever equal it;. and in some instances, as where the peculiar character of the heads in statues of the Byzantine and medieval styles is to be copied, the pica-
tograpb is invaluable. How frequently, too, have architects had to re- gret having been compelled to peas by the most interesting and curious examples for want of the time required for sketching them ; the camera must now become a necessary part of the equipment of a travelling art- student. In the exhibition now open at the room of the Institute of Architecture, there are many extremely fine specimens of architectural photography, by Baldus, Bisson, and Cundall and Downs, of objects in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The cloister of Moissac, the west frOnt of the Cathedral of Orleans, the central portal and the tym- panum of the south portal are especially remarkable for delicate detail and purity of tone. The examples from Rome by Macpherson are good, but the locality had been well studied before. Those illustrating the styles of North Italy form an important collection by Ponti. Those of St. Mark's at Venice are most interesting, the splendid gates of the Loggia, the ancient horses, and the church of Santa Maria della Salute, will be noticed as some of the most perfect. There are also views of Moresque architecture by Clifford, and of Jerusalem and Constantinople by Messrs. Robertson and Beate. The beauties of Litchfield, Lincoln, Tinter; Wells, and Salisbury Cathedrals have been admirably well taken by Mr. Fenton, Mr. Melhuish, and Mr. Cooke, and it appears to us that the English photographers are generally more successful in avoiding distortion and obtaining a pleasing tone of colour with clearness than the foreign operators.
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