est effect to a figure worthy of a noble Roman, are here admirably preserved. The expression of the fea son, Miss Ainslie, Mrs. Hakewill, Miss Heaphy, Mrs. Pope, Miss Sharpe, Miss Drummond, Mrs. Robertson, Miss Kendrick, Mademoi-tures is in perfect unison with the selle Comolera, Mrs. Green, Miss Lar- conception of the attitude; indeed, kin, Miss Andree, Miss Jenkins, Miss both are perfect, and this statue does Jones, Miss Reynolds, Miss Fox, honour to the British school of art. Miss Gandy, Miss Hague, &c. &c. Statue of the late Stephen Babing. ton, Esq. to be erected at Bombay.-F. Chantrey, R. A. The enamels are as usual beautiful. The principal are by Mr. Bone, R. A. There are some beautiful architectural drawings by Mr. Soane, R. A. Mr. Gandy, A. Mr. Wilkins, R. A. and several other artists who are eminent in this elegant and useful branch of their profession. THE SCULPTURE. Statue in Marble of the late John Philip Kemble, to be placed in Westminster Abbey.-The late J. Flaxman, R. A. The two names here given, of the artist and his subject, suggest to the recent recollection of every lover of genius and taste, the fame of two of the most distinguished men in their respective arts who have figured in our own times, accompanied by the regret that they no longer live to adorn their country. If their works did not survive, this statue would be alone sufficient to confer immortality upon both the tragedian and the sculptor. It is the figure of Cato, standing before us in all the majesty of the Roman philosopher. The perfect personification of the character, clad in the flowing drapery of the best classical model (that much neglected though essential part of the sculptor's duty, if he intend his name to outlive the evanescent sway of unseemly fashion), and the beau idéal of the man. Kemble lives in the marble; his fine head and neck, thrown back a little, to give the full This, as well as another statue of Sir Joseph Banks, is the production of Mr. Cl.-.ntrey. Both are in sitting postures, the one reading, and the other (Banks) in that quiet and unaffected expression of countenance for which our amiable philosopher was always distinguished, even when pain racked his debilitated frame. In the application of modern dress to sculptural subjects, however flowing the folds are endeavoured to be cast, there is, we think, a great drawback of effect. Shoes, or close slippers, or knee-buttons, are very commonplace; they save of course a good deal of trouble, but they are quite inappropriate. If it be worth any body's while to have his figure preserved in a statue, he should, whether he deserve it or not, be recorded for something better than the cut of his clothes. The expression of the features in these statues is admirably portrayed by Mr. Chantrey, and nothing can be easier or more unaffected than the attitudes. Psyche borne by Zephyrs. G. Gibson. This is a very beautiful group; the figures are perfect symmetry, and the spirit and animation given them by the artist cannot be too much admired. A Figure of Piety, part of a monument to be erected in the ca thedral at Bristol.-E. H. Bailey, R. A. This, as well as other works by the same artist in this Exhibition, cannot be too highly praised. Salmacis,-J. Heffernan, is a very poetical composition. There is a good Group by Mr. Mc Dowell, and several very fine busts by our best sculptors. tion and rare merit of their works, which have stamped their received and admitted excellence in every school in Europe. But we must advert to particulars, and take a curso SOCIETY OF PAINTERS IN WATER-COLOURS. THE twenty-third Exhibition of the Society of Painters in WaterColours has just opened at its Gallery in Pall-Mall East; and we have this year a larger than usual number of works from its able and indefati-ry glance (we regret we can give no gable members. We have always said that water-colour painting was peculiarly a British art: more) at the drawings, in the casual order in which we saw them on a day of crowded attendance. "She hails with honest pride her country's A Pilot-Boat going off to a Vessel in claim, And calls on Taste to ratify her fame." It is a branch of the fine arts which was created, and has grown to maturity, among us. Instead of the crude and delicate tints and lines and flimsy execution which it once exhibited, we have now a bold and vigorous touch and full relief, which in some instances rival oil-painting. There are three hundred and fiftynine pictures in this Exhibition, and they comprehend a display of miscellaneous subjects and a variety of merit, in the highest degree creditable to our artists. His taste must indeed be fastidious who cannot find some subject to please his eye in this gallery. We have landscapes in the endless variety of local and general scenery, sketches from Nature in nearly all her works, and delineations of objects which fill "earth, sea, air, and sky." a hard Gale, near the Eddystonc. -Copley Fielding. This artist has contributed nearly fifty works to the present Exhibition: this is, perhaps, more than what ought to be his share of "the square feet" of the walls; but when we behold their merit, we are delighted at the prolific pencil from which they come. The Pilot-Boat is really a beautiful drawing; there is a depth and force in the execution which cannot be too much admired, and the effect is perfect nature. The tempestuous rolling of the waves is very striking. Objection has been taken to the strong hue of parts of the water; but that is the colour of the sea, when " tempest-tossed" and overhung by opaque clouds, on this part of the coast. The Distant View of Portsmouth is also beautiful. Perhaps the bluish tints in the sea line are, in parts, rather too deep; but the Vessels at Spithead is a drawing of the very highest order for clearness and vividness of tint, and the most brilliant All our old friends of this Society exhibit and evince matured skill and unceasing industry. The labours of some of them are quite extraordinary, when we consider the perfect execu-transparency of tone. The Morning Scene in Perthshire of both is very great. The picture and tl:e Snowden View are likewise before us, taken from Shakspeare's full of merit. description of the Cruchan Ben, from the upper Part of Loch Etive, Argyleshire.G. F. Robson. poor sequestered stag, That from the hunter's aim had ta'en a hurt, Did come to languish," where "the melancholy Jaques" lay, under the antique oak in the forest of Arden, is a perfect work of art. The poor animal, standing "On the extremest verge of the swift brook, Augmenting it with tears," is finely portrayed, as well as the careless herd, "full of the pasture,” which passes him heedlessly. The trees and verdure are well drawn and coloured, and make the land Mr. Robson displays his usual skill and industry in landscape-painting. He has several finely executed works, remarkable for their depth and repose. He is a perfect master of Scottish scenery; its mistiness and broken lights and craggy points appear the unlaboured production of a pencil which catches the aspect of bold and rugged nature with the fabled power of a talisman. He ex-scape interesting. The Cattle drawcels in delineating the grandeur of mountainous views, as exemplified in his Welch and Scottish drawings in this gallery. Edinburgh, from Salisbury Craigs, is a beautiful prospect of that romantic city, "where the huge castle holds its state;" and Barnard Castle, Durham, is a picture of great merit, but some singularity, from the poetical gloom and duskiness which envelope the atmosphere. It is, however, in unison with the romantic character of the local scenery, which has often furnished a subject for monkish legend, and inspired alike the poet and the painter. The poor sequestered Stag. - We cannot behold without unceasing admiration Mr. Hills' productions. It is rarely, and we know not why it should be so, that we see animal-painting in keeping with its appropriate and always accompanying scenery in nature, in the perfection which we find in this artist. It is difficult to say which is more meritoriously prominent, his landscape or his quadrupeds, but the attraction ing (No.81.) is also fine; the gloomy hue which pervades it in the depth of the prospect has much grandeur of effect. The Foresters, a group of horses in a wood, is likewise a valuable drawing; and so is that of the Fighting Boars. Ponte Rialto at Venice.-S. Prout. This Exhibition abounds with interesting drawings by this artist, principally of foreign architectural views. There are two pictures of the above name, but the larger and more elaborately finished (No. 26.) is that to which we wish chiefly to point attention. Nothing can be finer than the colouring of the water, the animation and bustle of the gondoliers, and the rich variety of the buildings. Perhaps those in the distance are so elaborately worked as to partake a little of hardness of execution. He has succeeded in keeping alive an interest for a Venetian prospect, which has almost palled upon the English eye, from its constant recurrence in paintings and engravings, in poetry and the drama. But the view of Venice still possesses, from a variety of associations, a melancholy interest. We may say, in the lan-sembling mannerism. In the arts, guage of Shakspeare, "Age cannot steal, nor custom wear, 'Its infinite variety." the glowing enthusiasm of the mind must, for external representation, be regulated by the eye, and that organ must be true to nature. Men of all professions and studies may be original, without being correct; or they may strike out a path for themselves, without violating the modesty of nature. An able artist and poet of our own times (Mr. Shee) has given this just meed of praise to Hogarth, who The Church of St. Maclou, Rouen, is a beautiful specimen of the rich Gothic architecture with which that city abounds. Among the other well-executed works by Mr. Prout which we were gratified to see in this Exhibition, were, Views of the Arch of Constantine, Leaning Towers at Bologna, Part of the Amphitheatre of Verona, Temple And forced an untried passage to renown; of Nervu at Rome, Portico dell' To nature true his sportive pencil moved, Ottavia, ditto, and Temple of Jupi-Taught while it trifled, pleased while it re ter Tonans. The German scenery Man.-H. Gastineau. With rugged rocks, on which the raving tide, "Disdain'd the beaten track, the common crown, A bold and well-executed sea-ly describes in the same poem, "the view, drawn and coloured with great beauty and precision, and in a very high degree creditable to this clever artist, who has several other drawings of equal merit in this gallery. Scene from Thomson's Castle of Indolence.-G. Barret. "In lowly dale, fast by a river's side, With woody hill o'er hill encompass'd round, A most enchanting wizard did abide, Than whom a fiend more fell is no where found." gay bloom of vernal landscapes." Why not impart to his poetical compositions something of the tints which Mr. Barret has so well given in the smaller drawing of Morning, No. 253. in this gallery? Dover from the Sea.-D. Cox. A very beautiful drawing: one, however, among many in this Exhibition, by the same artist, which ensure observation and deserve encou deal of comic character introduced into the drawing, and it has considerable vividness of colouring. A Gleaner.-S. Austen. A very pretty drawing; and the same character applies to Mr. Austen's drawings of Liverpool in this gallery: that of the Interior of the new Market is very well executed. Conifield, Westmoreland.-P. Dewint. This artist has several good landscapes. There is a fine sweep of country introduced into the Westmoreland view, and the small spot of river which speckles one part of the surface has a very pretty effect. Richmond Castle, Yorkshire. W. Havell. - from sketches of the rustic grouping of the Highlands; and in some of his single figures there is a tenderness and simplicity of character which impart a very warm interest; for instance, the Girl at the Well, in this collection. Lake and Town of Killarney, with Ross Castle.-J. Varley. If we mistake not, Mr. Havell ac-merit of making very pretty pictures companied Lord Amherst's abortive expedition to China. His drawings, therefore, of Chinese scenery (some of which are in this Exhibition) have a genuine and official character. The monotonous shape and colour of the costume and materiel of the subjects of "the eldest son of the sun," and their unaltered character for ages, leave little to gratify curiosity in this day. Mr. Havell certainly clothes them in much finer drawing and perspective than they have heretofore been served up to us in our tea-services of China, or in the original drawings with which we have been favoured from Canton, and therefore renders them fitter for reception in our galleries of art. The Yorkshire view is a fine drawing; the clear sunny effect, and the fine perspective of the town and castle, deserve every praise. Perhaps There are some capital architecthere is a little too much of finishingtural drawings in this Exhibition by in parts of the trees in the fore- some of our best artists in this very ground. useful department of their profesFountain at Inverary, North Bri- sion. We have here a fine view of tain.-J. Cristall. this beautiful Gothic chapel, with a This drawing is shaped, we presume, for a particular situation: it is a most faithful and well-finished delineation of very beautiful scenery. The magnificent range of mountainous scenery, with its base washed in the wide expanse of the lakes, has been very correctly and spiritedly portrayed by Mr. Varley. Interior of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, during the Apostles' Creed.-F. Nash. |