24

ART  EDUCATION.

part  of  the  report,  and  we  will  only  mention  here,  that  tlie  manner
in  which  the  art-school  proceeds  is  exemplary.
The  preparatory  course  was  represented  by  drawings  from  modcls
of  figures  and  Ornaments,  and  by  drawings  illustrating  the  subjects
  of  style,  of  projection,  and  of  shadows,  as  well  as  perspective
and  auatomical  drawings.  The  special  school  for  figure-drawing
exhibited  excellent  studies  from  the  antiqne  and  from  the  living
model,  also  studies  of  drapery  (in  various  manners).  The  school
for  sculptors  presented  studies  from  the  antique  and  from  the  living
model,  together  with  original  Sketches.  Charming  designs  by  the
architectural  school  were  exhibited,  in  connection  with  drawings
from  existing  art-industrial  objects.  This  section  was  also  brilliant
  in  its  practical  achievements,  especially  in  furniture,  executed
by  the  pupils  from  their  own  designs.  The  school  for  ornamental,
animal,  and  flower  painting  likewise  exhibited  charming  compositions.
  Painting  upon  wood  and  porcelain,  and  painting  in  ehamel,
were  represented  by  very  successful  specimens.  The  Solutions
of  definite  problems.  (the  written  problems  also  being  given)  for
sgraffito 1  decorations,  &c.,  by  various  pupils,  were  highly  interesting.

The  development  of  the  art-school  in  the  department  of  practical ­
  work  is,  unfortunately,  still  too  limited,  as  the  localities  at
its  disposal  are  too  small;  and  this  part  of  the  Institution,  so
important  in  its  influence  upon  art-industry,  will  only  be  able  to
make  itself  feit  to  its  full  extent,  when  the  new  building  will  be
ready  for  occupancy.  The  study  of  the  various  technical  processes
1  Sgraffito  decorations  being  almost  unknown  in  the  United  States,  a  few
words  of  explanation  inay  appear  excusable.  Sgraffito  derives  its  name  from
sgraffiare,  to  serateh  or  scrape.  A  layer  of  mortar  which  has  been  mixed  with
soine  coloring-matter,  to  give  it  a  dark  tint,  is  covered  with  milk  of  lime.
While  this  upper  layer  is  still  fresli,  a  drawing  is  executed  upon  it  by  means
of  Steel  instruments,  so  that  the  figures  show  eitlier  in  dark  lines  upon
white  grouud,  or  vice  versa.  Düring  the  Renaissance  this  species  of  decoration
  was  frequently  employed  upon  the  walls  of  houses,  especially  in  Upper
Italy;  and  of  late  years  it  has  again  been  taken  up  in  Germany,  &c.,  for  outside
mural  decorations.  As  a  specimen  the  Northern  wall  of  the  Polytechnicum
at  Zürich  may  be  cited,  which  has  been  decorated  by  sgraftitos  from  drawings
by  Gottfried  Semper.  Further  Information,  historical  as  well  as  technical,
can  be  found  in  Lange  and  Bühlmann,  “  Die  Anwendung  des  Sgraffito  für
Fasaden-Dekoration,”  Münieh,  1867.