Star.
London, England, 1818-01-15 00:00:00

ROYAL ACADEMY.

Mr.TURNER, the Professor of Perspective, delivered
his second lecture upon that science to' a numerous
assembly on Monday evening. In the last, the Pro-
fessor had pointed out the system of the science of
Perspective, and had proceeded in its application, as
far as it influenced particular forms: the purpose of
the present discourse was to animadvert upon its in-
fluence over design in general. In his observations
upon that gqat master of Perspective, Albert Durer,
he regretted Bie disadvantage under which his design
an frequently appears, (and consequently the science
of Perspective employed in producing that design,)
on account of the imbecile practice of the German
art*.its in his days, of clothing their figures in stiff and
crude drapery, blue and gold; but if we turn to Ra-
phael, we directly see the application of the science
In his Ascension, the group in the upper part form a
triangular figure; in his cartoon of the Death of Ana-
utas, there is an octangular platform, which, though
it has the appearance of no more than a mere stand
for the figures, yet in reality his a powerful influence
fiver the design of the whole. It may be advanced,
that the appearance of these geometrical figures in
the cartoons was mere accident; yet, considering the
powerful influence they have in the designs, we might.
with almost equal propriety pronounce, that the de-
signs themselves were mere accident.
-The Professor next adverted to the power of geo-
metry and perspective in the designs of sculpture
and architecture. A beautiful bas-relievo cast was
exhibited of a female figure, approaching the Temple
of Fame, which was truly classical, and executed
with much taste ; but yet, not being performed ac-
cording to the science of perspective, it offends as an
unpardonable blemish ; from the siza of the temple,
the mind would naturally conclude the figure capa-
bk of carrying it away. Observations next followed
upon the celebrated dispute concerning the Trojan
column, Du Piles and others having affirmed, that
the figures near the top are considerably larger than
those at the bottom, and that by their false propor-
tion they counteract the science of perspective. In
consequence of this dispute, the drawings of the co-
lumns by professors, greatly vary; Mr.-Turner con-
sidered Du Files's assertion to be fallacious, and that
it arose from a deception of his sight ; for the heads
of statues appear greatly out of proportion with the
body, when seen from a certain point of view, which
is the case in architectural columns. The Professor,
after entering upon the more particular application
of perspective to sculpture, proceeded to observe the
influence of geometry in the erection of steeples; and
here he exhibited several beautiful drawings of Ox-
ford, Salisbury,' Peterborough and other Cathedrals.
The support of the walls of Cathedrals by the power
of geometry was pointed out, it being accomplished
in some by. pillars in the interior, in others, by but-
tresses on the exterior. The architect of the steeple
of Salisbury Cathedral had such complete power in
the application of Geometry, that he placed large
roses upon it, for the purpose of catching the wind,
that it might rock, being at the same time perfectly
safe.—The Professor concluded by observing, that his
present purpose was to point out the great presiding
power of geometry and perspective in design, whether
as applied to paintiog, sculpture, or architecture.