19 MARCH 1853, Page 19

THE ART-UNION.

The prints to be delivered to the Art-Union subscribers for the current year are taken from Mr. Selous's "Surrender of Calais," and Mr. Han- cock's bas-relief, "Christ led to Crucifixion" The first, with which the 'public is already tolerably familiar, is but a poor specimen of a stagey and conventional style. We cannot particularize any single figure or head as other than indifferent, when not bad. It has been creditably en- graved by Mr. H. Robinson. Mr. Hancoek's work is a companion to his "Entry into Jerusalem," previously published by the Art-Union; but the earlier was the better production. The figures lack sinew and sculp- turesque form,—a want especially felt in the soldiers. There are passages to which we may accord the epithet pretty, none which can aspire to the rank of sacred sentiment or severe art. Mr. Hancock has not done him- self justice. This is a "ruled engraving" in fac-simile of sculptured re- lief; a style not very exalted, but skilfully executed here.