The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-09

marked excellence. and the statues. includ-
ing that attributed to the Princess Louise.
have most OF them been pitiable failures. rep.
rescnting in most cases an idealiZcd Victoria
Of comely. middle age. This courtly ~fattery
has indeed become almost a tradition, so much
so that 1t is generally understood that this
rather than actual portraiture is in accordance
with Queen Victoria's own wishes and desires.
At last. however. this unwritten law has been
set aside and n statue Of the Queen has been
PRODUCED which is worthy of notice quite apart
from its subject In order to commemorate
the diamond Jubilee a fund was raised in
India. With part Of this fund it was decided
to purchase a statue OF the Queen, to be
eventually erected in Calcutta. The COM
mission was intrusted to George Frampton. A.
II. A. one OF the younger OF English sculptors.
Mr.. Frampton has taken a foremost position
not only as n sculptor, but also as an exponent
of decorative art. He was. for instance. the
pioneer in that school OF colored bas-relief
which forms a distinctive feature in modern
English art work. His originality OF method
has been shown. too. by the skilful way in
which he has introduced into his work a variety
marble and DECORATIVE stones as well as IA veri-
ETY. Of metals. Judged from a point OF view be-
yond that Of mere technique. his work
aginative qualities. Now he has surpassed
himself in tho recently finished model for
his statue Of the Queen. There are those who
declare that this Is one OF the greatest statues
which the English school of sculpture has pro
task was no easy one. ham pcred.on every side as
he was, by precedent and convention. He burst
through the letters. however. and produced
what is almost a realistic portrait OF Queen
Victoria as she lives and moves to-day. not as
shn may have appeared a score or more Of
years ago, and yet. has made her more truly
regal than any Of his fqttering predeeessors:,
Seated on, a throne which IS in itself a strik-
ing example OF the new school OF decorative
design. she sits in a natural attitude to which
dignity is impaired by the disposition Of the
flowing state robes WHICH she wears; The
head is slightly inclined, forward. as though
oppressed by the weigh OF age and care. And
easily have suggested weakness. somehow
snhiiy conveys the Idea OF regnant power and
T TGni + iviia rG S9 Wifh the mak face NO yh dttsm in It's is
bin the fact that the Queen is an old
woman. yet, SPEAKS the dignity of the ruler
in fIv iGy an lime ordi 1t is ,i + 2"ee and Th he c 6as
scious. Of her power and proud Of the way
in which she has used that power. that Mr..
statue rs well as its accessories will add greatly
to its effect when 1t is finally erected in CAL
Gutta; As il viii be seen from all sides, pains
have been taken to render even the direct rear
yicwof it satisfactory. The back of the throne.
Tor instance. has been symbolically treated.
the main feature being ii group consisting
by side and typifying England and the Indian
Empire. Above the statue will be erected
an arch. while the bronze figure itself will be
placed upon Il simple pedestal of marble 1t
will stand, FACING the huge plain called the Mai
dan. which forms one OF the social, open;air
me III, n Dl"GS wi # &C. ca dS q tp,a II The nea orb 4ao. he'll kI,d IN =
lapis la2uli, but not so subject, as that precious
matGri?i to disintegration by the weather while
ysr i IL ire t Of a K kn aiH!hto presum %tS Ss St. GEORGE Geo r s;e.
holding a shield and a banner.