FINE ARTS.
Landscape Illustrations of the Waverley Novels. Part VI.
We gladly turn from the blundering inefficiency of the Historical to the beautiful neatness of the Landscape Illustrations of the Waverley Novels. In landscape, the English artists are unrivalled ; and the names of TURNER, CONSTABLE, CALLCOTT, COLLINS, STANFIELD, HARDING, PROUT, COPLEY FIELDING, DEWINT, NASMYTH, BAR. RETT, DANIELL Rol:mow, R. REINAGLE, W. WESTALL,ROBERTS, &c. present a galaxy of brilliant talent of which England may be justly proud.
The present number contains a coast scene by STANFIELD—somewhat poorly though neatly engraved—the sky is very stony in its texture : two sketches by the Marchioness of STAFFORD, of St. Magnus Cathe- dral and Stromness, drawn by PURSER and COPLEY FIELDING—the lain is one of that artist's beautiful effects of gloom and showers: and a View of Namur, by PROUT. It is evident that the Messm •F/NDEN do not engrave-the plates bearing their name ; and the mechanical neatness and poverty of style of the plates in the present number make us think that they are at- tending more to the success of the speculation than of the engravings. Want of spirit and of depth and variety of effect were the prevailing faults of the work ; but the cleanness and prettiness of the execution, as well as the beautiful art of the original drawings, atoned for those deficien- cies. But if Messrs. FINDEN turn this work into an ordinary job, it will be a loss to their fame, though it may be a gain to their purse.
Portrait of the Duke of Wellington.
Mr. BROMLEY has just finished a beautiful line engraving from the equestrian portrait of the Duke of Wellington painted by Sir Tnomas. LAWRENCE immediately after the battle of Waterloo. The Duke is represented in his undress uniform as a Field-Marshal, and mounted on his favourite charger Copenhagen. He is in the act of waving his hat, and carries a reconnoitering-glass in his bridle-hand. He also wears the- short military cloak and Hessian boots, instead of those of the fashion which he immortalizes. The air and attitude of the Hero of Waterloo are graceful and showy ; his face and features are skilfully flattered in the resemblance, and wear a look of freshness and gaiety, very different from the stony imperturbability of his Grace's granite visage. The fore part of the horse is well drawn, the neck arched, and the head full of fire ; but the foreshortening of the hind-quarters we think is incorrect. As a whole, the print is imposing in its effect, the simplicity of cha- racter and costume being contrasted by the splendid quality of the art. The engraving is elaborate, and very finely executed, in a style of excel. lence worthy of Mr. BROMLEY'S high reputation : we hear that it has been several years in hand.
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