27 SEPTEMBER 1919, Page 13

POPE AS A PAINTER.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.")

Ste,—It is unlikely that Pope's Madonnas were the horrible daubs imagined by your critic. Jerras was weak in drawing, but was a fine colourist, and excelled in flesh painting and draperies. Horace Walpole's harsh criticism of him was un- deserved, but Kneller's witty remark on hearing that .Tertas had set up a coach and pair is worth quoting: "Mein Gott! if the horses don't draw better than he does, he will never get to his journey's end." Considering his master's limitations, may not bad drawing have accounted for Pope's failure, not- withstanding Dr. Johnson's opinion about near-sightedness?