Paul and Virginia

Joseph Durham (1814-1877)

1864

Source: 1865 Art-Journal

“There is a class both of pictorial and of sculptured works which commend themselves only to the few; there is another class that interests the multitude as well as the few, because from its nature all can understand it: to this, in sculpture, belongs Mr. Durham's group of 'Paul and Virginia;' it is the parting scene, which may be told in a few brief words, and they are necessary to comprehend the sculptor's intention. Paul had been excluded from the house of Virginia's mother, Madame de la Tour, for several days; he knew not the reason, though he had certain misgivings from a few words accidentally let fall by the priest; . . . No one can look at these two figures without at once comprehending their meaning, though the association with the characters of the charming little tale may not be so immediately recognisable: and hence the appeal they directly make to the com- monest understanding..” [full commentary below]

[Click on image to enlarge it.]

Image capture and formatting by George P. Landow

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the Hathi Trust Digital Library and the University of Michigan and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one..