Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/37

Rh painting, is often held up as a bugbear by interested persons; but we are convinced that those who have already mastered the practical part of glass painting, (at least as practised by the medieval glass painters,) will agree in saying that its difficulties have been grossly exaggerated. A very little attention to the subject, would soon enable any artist to pronounce an opinion as to the suitableness of a design for a glass painting, as well as upon the merits of the work itself when executed; and as the good effect of every glass painting depends in reality, less on the mere technicalities of detail, than on composition, artistical feeling, goodness and character of outline; we are sure that artists should always be consulted as to the choice of one of several designs. We are convinced that a tribunal of antiquaries and amateurs exclusively, would fail in its object. No real artist would submit to its decision. Such judges would often be misled by a reverence for mere antiquity, and correctness of detail; and for want of that experience which nothing but an habitual, and professional contemplation of works of art can give, would often fail to appreciate the most truly artistical design.

We would also suggest the adoption, to a certain extent, of a system pursued in trials at the Royal Academy. We are aware that it is the practice of many glass painters to employ artists to make their designs for them, and afterwards to pass them off as their own. And as our chief object would be to secure a fair trial, and to raise the character of glass painting as an art, we think that each competitor should be required himself to design, and execute some subject, under the inspection of competent judges. No true artist would shun this ordeal; and we should thus become acquainted with many of the most improving of modern glass painters, whose names and merits are, at present, not generally known or appreciated. A step in the right direction has been taken in the matter of the designs for the painted glass for the Houses of Parliament; and we should gladly see it followed up in other quarters, and indeed more fully carried out. We confidently predict, that the example which would be afforded by a few of our leading institutions adopting some such plan as that above submitted, would be eagerly followed by private individuals; and that the result would be, the creation of a good school of glass painting in this country, and the raising of the art in public estimation.