SPANISH SCHOOL. ***** RIBERA, ***** FRENCH MUSEUM. 眠 ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS. Joseph Ribera, better known by the name of l'Espagnolet, presents a faithful display of nature in his paintings, but his works possess little variety; he excels only in repreSenting herdsmen, soldiers, and anchorites. As to the choice of beauty of situation, or of grace, he appears to have been totally unacquainted with either; in representing women his drawing was poor, his colouring was cold; and one might say, that he had ceased to take nature as a model. From these observations we may easily imagine, that the subject of the adoration of the shepherds will offer from the pencil of l'Espagnolet, both striking beauties, and defects equally remarkable; in fact, nothing can be more striking and more correct than the countenances of the shepherds, who full of respect and emotion, bend themselves to adore the infant Jesus; the drawing, the colouring and the touch of their heads, the style of their clothing, possess a degree of vigour which one cannot sufficiently admire. The head of the Virgin, and that of the infant Jesus, on the contrary, are deficient in dignity, grace, and even in relief. The most brilliant light ought to illumine the divine child, whereas it strikes on the shepherd the most in advance. We are however induced to pardon this fault, if we consider the character of this shepherd, the devout expression depicted in his countenance, and the warm tint of the drapery. This picture forms part of the gallery of the Louvre, and has been engraved by Ingouf jun. Heigth, 7 feet 8 inches; breadth, 5 feet 10 inches. |