25 AUGUST 1860, Page 20

fint irts.

An interesting picture, called "The Presentation in the Temple," by Mr. R. Dowling, an artist whet has spent most of his life in Australia, is to be seen at Mr. Betjemann's in Oxford Street._ Mr,Dowling has only

d the advantage of proper study since he arrived in England, about two years ago, and may be considered in a great measure a self-taught painter. The picture, although amongst the rejected of the Academy, or rather those which could not be hung for want of room, possesses several good points which lead us to pronounce very favourably of the artist's future efforts. It is cleverly painted, especially in the Rgure of Joseph, which shows considerable determination to be true both to nature and costume. As a composition, however, the picture lacks unity and con- veys the idea of not having been carefully marked out en carton before beginning to paint, otherwise we imagine Mr. Dowling would have pro- duced a better picture.