MR. SALTER'S PICTURE OF THE WATERLOO BANQUET.
Tun large picture of the banquet annually given by the Duke of WELLINGTON at Apsley House to his companions in arms on the said- versary of the Battle of Waterloo, painted by Mr. WILLIAM SALTER, is now shown to the cognoscenti by Mr. Moosr, the publisher, at his apart- ments in Threadneedle Street. As a faithful representation of a grand festivity commemorative of the most signal and important victory of modern times, the crowning achievement of the military career of the Great Captain, this picture possesses an interest that will increase with the lapse of time : it is a piece of historical portraiture, and as such a valuable pictorial document, irrespective of its claims to admiration as a work of art. The difficulty of making a pleasing picture of two rows of military men, almost all in scarlet uniforms, seated at a long table, was very great ; and the artist has overcome it successfully, without deviating materially from the actual truth, by breaking up the mono- tonous line of backs of heads, so as to present the faces of the guests on both sides of the table to the view. The necessity of introducing all the distinguished officers present at the celebration, to the number of nearly eighty, in a perspective view not including the whole length of the table, has crowded the figures a little too much; but, all things con- sidered, Mr. SALTER has produced a satisfactory picture. The effect of the ensemble is rich and brilliant : the figures are well relieved, and each head is finished like a miniature ; and the accessories—including the massive candelabra presented to the Duke by the Emperor of Russia, and the superb plateau and ornaments of silver the gift of the Portu- guese nation to their deliverer—are distinctly made out ; yet all is in perfect keeping ; and the pictured walls of the apartment, with a group of ladies standing in the doorway, form a fitting background. The chief attraction however, consists in the likenesses ; of the fide- lity of which we can hardly judge, except in the instances of the illus- trious hero and his Royal guest on this occasion, William the Fourth— which are both recognizable, if not so characteristic as might be de- sired. The figure of the Duke is deficient in dignity, and his attitude has not the firmness habitual to the veteran commander; but it is at any rate free from affectation. The figures cut by the line of the table appear stunted ; and the refinement of style which is looked for in a picture of such magnitude and importance is wanting. Mr. SALTER, however, has done his best to avail himself of the privilege, accorded to him only, of being present at the entertainment several successive years, for the purpose of portraying the scene ; and if he has not en- tirely satisfied the demands of the subject and of the highest standard of art, it has not been for want of labour and pains.
The picture is to be engraved in line, by WILLIAM GREATRACH j who, judging from smaller works, is fully adequate to the arduous task. The print is sure of an immense circulation.
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