The masterpieces of the Centennial international exhibition of 1876 .. . e of Brussels lace selectedfrom the collective exhibit of Belgium. This fine piece illustrates in an admirablemanner the beauty of the patterns for which the Belgium lace-workers haveloner been famous. It will be observed that here, as in other instances, plant- ;io THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1S76. life furnishes the motive for the design, and that the fern, the most delicateand graceful of plants, is chosen; for delicate as are the veinings and mark-ings of the fern-leaf, it is possible for the lace-maker to copy each
The masterpieces of the Centennial international exhibition of 1876 .. . e of Brussels lace selectedfrom the collective exhibit of Belgium. This fine piece illustrates in an admirablemanner the beauty of the patterns for which the Belgium lace-workers haveloner been famous. It will be observed that here, as in other instances, plant- ;io THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1S76. life furnishes the motive for the design, and that the fern, the most delicateand graceful of plants, is chosen; for delicate as are the veinings and mark-ings of the fern-leaf, it is possible for the lace-maker to copy each line withminute fidelity. But in order to make such a design as this before us, some-thing more than the ability of the copyist is required. It is necessary that theartist should have power to throw into his work that semblance to nature, thatlife-like appearance without which the most finished work is hard and cold andunsatisfactory. Look carefully at the design here; see how gracefully andeasily each group combines with the others, and how harmonious is the Group oj Vases : German Court. No two groups are alike, though the same motive inspires all, and a finish isgiven to the whole by a tiny spray of ivy uniting the groups together. It is possible that the ancient Greeks and Romans practised a luxury andlavishness in living that will never be equaled in any land or in any studied the art of ministering to the pleasure of the senses by everypossible means until they had brought it to a supreme point; and as objectsof sensual beauty, the relics of that age will always serve as models. It is nowonder, therefore, that in the present revival of taste, the artist seeks hisinspiration from these sources, or that the connoisseur finds an intellectualpleasure in studying his work. To the antique beauty of form, our modern
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookpublisherphila, bookyear1876
