FINE ARTS.
THE ROYAL COMMISSION.
THE carvers in wood and stainers of glass have been invited by the Royal Commission to show what they can do towards adorning the New Houses of Parliament. The specimens of ability required from the wood-carvers consist of one or two designs for a door, on the scale of two inches to a foot ; and a panel, or part of a panel with the frame- work, carved in oak the full size; the style of ornament to be in accord- ance with the architecture of the building, namely, Tudor Gothic, or Perpendicular English. The glass stainers are required to furnish one or two coloured designs for an entire window, and on a similar scale ; and a specimen, not exceeding six feet in the longest dimension, repre- senting a part of one design in full proportion, glazed in lead and framed in wood. The details of the glass decoration may include de- signs of figures, or heraldic devices, with borders, diapered grounds, legends, &c. Lithographic outlines of the shape and dimensions of the door and window required may be had at the architect's office. Speci- mens to he sent in, to a place hereafter to be appointed, in the first week of next March ; and the artists to signify their intention of competing on or before the first day of the New Year.
The workers in metal ornaments, and the decorative painters, we presume, will be called upon in their tarn. The impulse thus given to the arts of the country by this judicious exercise of Government patron- age will be beneficially felt long after the occasion that called for it has passed away. The rise of British art will hereafter date from the founda- tion of the New Houses of Parliament : their completion will mark an important epoch in its history.
The day for the exhibition of the Cartoons is not yet fixed ; nor is the decision of the judges yet made known. The competitors and the public are alike impatient; and a correspondent, who signs himself Democritus , complains though, in laughing mood, of the delay : we think, prematurely. To form a careful and deliberate judgment of the relative degrees of merit in one hundred and seventy large designs—an opinion wherein six persons must be unanimous, and in the soundness of which it is desirable that the great body of artists and the better- informed portion of the public should coincide—is no light or easy matter : added to which, there is the time necessarily occupied in ar- ranging, and cataloguing. There is little doubt but the decision will be just, and speedily promulgated.
The fresco-painting at Buckingham Palace, to which the same com- plaining correspondent alludes, is probably the decorating of the new summer-house in the gardens ; which, at the suggestion of Prince ALBERT, 15 to be adorned with designs in fresco, on a small scale. by several eminent artists. Though the field of operations is too limited for displaying the effect of fresco to advantage, this little experiment will not be useless, if it be only to set the fashion of fresco decoration. Moreover it is a favourable indication of the taste of the Prince, and of his desire to give the right kind of encouragement to fine art.
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