FINE ARTS.
PEEPS AT THE PRINT-SHOPS.
THB attractions of the print-shops at this seasim are so manifold, that, comprehensive as our glances are, we can scarcely take in all the novelties which appear in quick succession s we must be content, therefore, with a brief notice of the most interesting, and refer our readers to AcsErimlItsr's or DICKINSON'S for the rest.
Mr. JOHN HAYTER'S sketches of Miss Fanny Kemble in the Character of Juliet, drawn on stone by Messrs. HARDING, LANE, SHARP, and TEMPLE. TON—the first part of which only has appeared—claim our admiration for the beauty of the designs, both as regards the outline and the composition. In the commencement of the florid and high-flown description (which is laudatory of Miss KEMBLE to an almost fulsome excess), we are told that the sketches " do not assume to be portraits of Miss KEMBLE, but merely a series of rapid outlines, caught from her action." In this view they are striking and faithful delineations of her attitudes ; and evince the taste, skill, and masterly style of sketching for which Mr. HATTER is so justly celebrated. Otherwise, they convey the idea of a mature and womanly character, and of rather a majestic figure, which Miss KEMBLE certainly is not. The expression of the features also is only in general accordance with the dramatic representation, and is not individually characteristic of the face of the actress. The groups are very effective, the folds of the drapery taste- fully drawn, and the contour of the head and figitre beautifully and grace. fully delineated ; and the whole displays the feeling of the artist, as well as his quickness of eye and delicacy of hand. As specimens of lithography we cannot commend the prints, for they are deficient in the delicate tints which constitute so large a portion of the beauty of a drawing ; and when we see the work of Mr. LANE looking coarse and black, and that of Mr. SHARP (Mr. HARDING has not one in this number) looking white and scratchy, we are disposed to lay the blame at the door of the printers; Messrs. EisoELs MANN, rather than to find fault with the accomplished lithographic draughts. men.
No. 17. of Mr. HOWARD'S outline Illustrations of Shakspeare, published this month, contains Romeo and Juliet and Timon of Athens. The first, coming out just at this time, provokes a comparison both with Miss KE at- .BLE's Juliet and Mr. HATTER'S sketches of her in that character. We cannot speak very highly of Mr. HOWARD'S designs, either with or without the comparison. His Juliet is neither SHAKSPEARE'S nor Miss KEMBLE'S ; and we think he might have studied the latter with advantage to his con- ception of the former. The best is the balcony scene, where Romeo on the ladder takes his farewell of Juliet, and the faces of both are hidden in their parting embrace. The scene in the monument, where the Friar enters, would be more impressive if the attitude of Romeo were not so like that of one sleeping off the effects of a night's debauch ; towards which idea the soda-water bottle he holds in his hand contributes not a little. Mr. HOWARD'S TiMOR is not SHAKSPEARE'S ;—hut we feel that wears judging of these plates by the highest though the most obvious test of their quality ; in doing so, however, we would not wish to lose sight of the general merits of their composition. No. 1. of a series of Views of Ancient Castellated Mansions in Scotland, drawn on stone and printed by C. HULLMANDEL', consists of five views of these very curious and picturesque remains of antiquity, executed in a good plain style, at once clear and forcible. The subjects are very interesting, and the work has long been a desideratum : it would form an appropriate sequel to the "Border Antiquities ;" but it requires the accompaniment of descriptive letter-press to render it complete. .
Vieths Illustratia- of Pugin': Vali:v.:pies' of Gothic Architecture, drawn from nature and on stone by J. NASH, pupil to A. Poem. This is a very interesting and popular addition to the valuable series of works on Gothic architecture, which that indefatigable antiquary and architect has produced; and he has cause to congratulate himself upon having a pupil possessing so much taste and originality in design as well as skill in archi- tectural drawing. The union of correctness of detail and general picturesque effect is as rare as it is admirable, and makes of the mouldering ruin a vivid picture of bygone times. No. 1. of Views on the Coast of Sicily, on the Route from Genoa to Naples, drawn on stone by H. Wnicne.r.o, from sketches by H. STRETTON, Esq. A large work, handsomely got up. The bold and picturesque character of these shores affords scope for the skill of the veteran artist in their variety and stupendous scenery ; and proves, in this instance, the inefficiency of the dilettanti pencil of the amateur to represent them ; nor has the lithographic draughtsman apparently aided him. The only value of the work must con- sist in the correctness of the views, and of that we have not the means of judging. The Great Pyramid, from the north-east; drawn with the camera lucida and on stone, by EtIWARD LANE. We never had a correct idea of the stupendous size of thee vast structures before seeing this impressive print; which is executed with extreme neatness and felicity of effect, particularly as regards the light and shade. It is the first time we have seen the name of this gentleman to any specimen of lithography ; and if his first production is so admirable as to appear like the work of his brother, who is unrivalled in that art, we may both hope for and expect something more from him. As he is a traveller who can both appreciate and delineate the sublime re- mains of Egyptian antiquity, we suggest to him that the head of the Sphynx would form a-striking and appropriate companion to the Great Pyramid.
The Kite ; a sketch from nature by S. MOUNTJOY SMITH. Vigour of drawing, fidelity of character, and feeling for nature, characterize this spirited sketch, which well sustains the reputation of the artist in this de- partment of art. Maternal Affection ; a sketch by Sir THOMAS LAWRENCE, drawn on stone by W. SHARP. An elegant design, representing a beautiful young mother at her toilet, with two children. It is most remarkable for delicacy of pencilling, and a pleasing flow of line in the composition, both of which are admirably well preserved in the beautiful lithograph. Mr. DANIELL'S scene from the Red Rover, engraved in aquatint and coloured, is an effective representation of a shipwreck ; and is distinguished by the artist's usual skill in the treatment of these subjects. The rush of water into the hold of the sinking vessel, and its engulphing in the whirl- pool which its descent creates, are vividly portrayed. A portrait of the Duchess of Kent, by H. COLLEN, is well engraved, in the mixed dot and chalk style, by T. WOOLNOTH ; it is a very beautiful little print, and, as far as our recollection serves us, a good likeness of the interesting personage it represents. A lithographic sketch of the celebrated composer Beethoven, by Mr. SHARP, is copied from a German print, which possesses striking character, and places the peculiar features and expression of the face of the great musician in a favourable and also a poetical point Of view. The draughts- man, however, in translating the bravura ,character of the original, has given to the head an hydrocephalic appearance, and has a1so indicated the marking of the face indecisively, thereby substituting feebleness for furor.
Thalia, by G. CLINT' engraved in mezzotint by T. LupTou, is, we pre- sume, a portrait ; for the expression of the face is rather that of wild melan- choly, than the arch and mirthful character which we conceive to be the characteristic of Thalia.
A Water Lay, by J. T. HARPER, is a pretty idea, very substantially treated.
Mr. DAWE has published two numbers of a very pretty set of mezzotints for Scrap-books ; consisting of a well-selected variety of subjects, engraved by himself, and a few originals of his own design ; they are strikingly effec- tive, and extremely well executed. A similar work, also in mezzotint, is publishing by Mr. HOLLYEG ; which comprises some pleasing specimens of this popular style of engraving. "The Last Man," by Mr. MAturisr, and "Solitude," by D. T. EGEaToN, form a pretty little pair of mezzotints ; and are poetical in design and effective in execution. Young ladies are especially indebted to the ingenious designer of a title for their scrap-books, consisting apparently of an elaborate piece of ornamental writing merely, but the flourishes to which upon closer inspection will be found to contain sentences, firming, together with the prominent Words, a string of connected verses : it is a clever trifle, well adapted to its purpose.
Grand Steeple Chase over Leicestershire, by H. ALI:Ex. Our sporting readers will hardly forgive us if we omit to notice a work which both deli- neates and describes an evetit that has caused as much excitement in that part of the country hunted by the Quart: hounds as an election for the county. We feel ourselves again in the saddle as we turn over the plates illustrative of those
" Dreadful accidents by flood and field,
And hairbreadth scapes th' imminent deadly" ditch.
As we see where "tile Cock-tail is floor'd "-how "Dick Christian gets a header"-or "Bill Wright" is thrown out-where the "killing pace" makes the field select-where "Mr. Heycock" gets toss'd a summerset, thereby at- taining " the climax of disaster"-and at last when "Mr. Field Nicholson" wins by "Magic," our enthusiasm would "astonish the natives" even of Leicestershire. After such a tremendous run "in chase of a steeple which," as the Irishman remarked, "stood stock-still to be caught all the while," we may be allowed to canter quietly over the field of criticism, by observing that the work is well got up, and particularly as regards the colouring. All sporting men will of course possess themselves of it. While we are on horseback, we may as well observe, that after seeing the portraitof Rowton, the Winner of the .S`t. Leger Stakes, those who appreciate good drawing and colouring of horse-flesh, will need no " spur to prick the sides of their intent" to become subscribers. Returning home, we meet John Warde, Esq. on Blue Ruin, accompanied by his favourite hound Betsey ; a good portrait in mezzotint by Lu e•rost. It is excellent as a work of art, and it will doubtless be valued by all who know the original.
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