30 MAY 1840, Page 18

FINE ARTS.

DANDY'S PICTURE OF THE DELUGE.

Mn. DANDY, who has been resident abroad for several years, has brought to this country a grand picture of the Deluge; which is ex- hibiting at No. 213, Piccadilly, near the Regent's Circus. It is a com- position of very large size, and is painted with elaborate finish and wonderful power of effect ; conveying an idea of' the awful visitation it is intended to represent, that is impressive, if not actually sublime.

The principal feature of the scene is a rocky peak, crowded with human beings : round its base rush the whelutilt,g floods that have just engulfed the valley, uprooting the trees, to which men, women, and children are clinging in agonies of terror : on one side, the higher sum- mits of the mountain are partially obscured by the bursting water- spouts; on the other, the buildings of a half-submerged city are seen in the distance ; and in the background floats the ark. The sun is just sinking, its lurid light but faintly gilding the scene, being overpoweredby the preternatural glare of a comet ; whose near approach to the earth, indicated by its enormous size, is the supposed cause of the catastrophe.

This is a great work regarded both as an effort of imagination and as a fine piece of painting, it is worthy of the most attentive consider- ation : on the score of execution alone, indeed, it is entitled to very high praise. The elemental phenomena are finely depicted, and the groups of figures are skilfully drawn. The private view having been but yesterday, we have not left space fin' a detailed critieism, and for the present must be content with calling public attention to a pie. lure of extraordinary merit.