FINE ARTS.
EXHIBITION OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY.
(coNctinamp.) hand ; which accounts for his having contributed only this small beautiful picture ; it is a piece of true painting, and worthy of his reputation. His water-colour sketches of " Strasburg" (465), and " Venice" (476), in the Antique Academy, are in BONINGTON'S style, and are masterly drawings. " A Lion and Lioness," by S. M. SMITH (40), are fine studies of the heads of the animals; the bodies seem de- ficient. " King James II., the Countess of Dorchester, and Kitty Chervil," (85), S. DRUMMOND, is an incident from Walter Colgton, very
well told. Of this class of pictures, T. CLATER'S " Mrs. Saunter and her Niece" (378), Buss's " Biter Bit" (390), RIPPINGILLE'S " Miff" ((0), and "Spendthrift" (425), are clever in their way. " Gil Blas and Aurora de Guzman" (311), M. A. SHEE, jun. is common in style, and the cha- racters are too much like actors. A. PRASEI.eS " Tapping the Ale-barrel"
(312) is a very good picture of its class, and the subject is naturally treated. So is Siusoses " Highland Deer-Stalker" (341). Goon's
" Medicine" (155) is perfectly real, though an exaggeration : it is a very clever picture, notwithstanding its mannerism and peculiar effect. " Mu- sidora" (176), J. A. CASEY is a well-painted picture, though the girl does not look English. " A Venetian State Prisoner" (182), J. WARD, is a good head and well painted. " Uva scelte" (195), J. PARTRIDGE, is rather coarsely painted, but has merit and a look of nature. " Pere la Chaise" (215), J. Insets's., is one of this artist's clever little pictures, representing a girl at the grave of a friend or relative. G. PATTEN'S "Nymph and Cupid" (17) are a lady and child without drapery : we cannot say much in favour of the picture ; the flesh tints are very un- real. Our readers, who have heard so much about the Hong Merchants of China, may form an idea of the animal, by looking at 248, a portrait of one " Howqua," by G. Cnnemax. "A domestic affliction" (258), W. E. WEST, is a well-told tale ; but there are too many persons to ren- der it impressive; the nature of the picture is better than the art. Mr. BROCKEDON has told the fable of the old man and the bundle of sticks, in "The Father's Admonition" (265), in a very cold and artificial man- ner; and we cannot say much in favour of the painting. "Mr. Young in Hamlet," by G. CLINT (281), is poor, tame, and without even stage dignity ; Ophelia is wretched : the attitudes and relative positions of the figures are awkward in the extreme. • T. Woonwaan's " Terrier at a Rabbit's-hole" is all but reality : it is a perfect imitation ; and though it may be nothing more than that, it is true without vulgarity. We would sooner have a portrait of a favourite dog by Mr. Woouwsitn, than by any artist we know : if he is young, his promise is very great-at all events his performance is very good. His "Young Sportsman" (259) shows that he can paint other portraits than those of dogs and horses it is a clever picture. Mr. PARRIS'S "Bride" (321) confirms our fears that the skill of this artist consists in painting Costumes and accessories : he cannot draw a face or paint flesh but by accident, and as to expression it goes begging. His first picture' "The Bridesmaid," was a lucky hit ; since then, he has only repeated himself to disadvantage. His satins, jewels, &c. are good, and to them he Must confine himself. Mr. VICKERS'S "Stolen Interview" (355) is a clever sketch of effect, but itis a mere apology for a picture, for there is nothing of it. Mr. llsenaun, who is a praiseworthy painter of horse- flesh, is attempting to follow Mr. COOPER'S example, who makes a fine horse supply the deficiencies of a poor hero ; but he is obliged to call in the aid of W. BAILY, who appears to be equally incompetent with him- self. We recommend him to confine his studies to Tattersall's and Newmarket ; for his "Skirmish of Cavaliers and Roundheads" (364) will not do. " The Council of Horses" (408) has merit. Mr. ARNOLD'S "Shipwreck of St. Paul" is a clever composition of marine landscape, painted in a subdued tone of colour ; but it might do for any other shipwreck besides that of St. Paul.
Among the Portraits that deserve notice, are those of "Lord de Dun- stanville," by J. B. LANE (37), though it is cold and hard ; "My Sister from Home,' R. A. CLACK (67)j and "Viscountess Falkland," the King's youngest daughter, by A. Moarms (418). In Landscape, "Tire Water-Mill," C. R. STANLEY (204'); " View near Eltham " W. R. EARL (392) ; and " M , arket Gardeners at Bat- tersea," J. grsax are good. In the Antique Academy (the Miniature-room) there is a splendid specimen of "The Cactus Speciosissima" (544), by. .V. BARTHOLOMEW; certainly the finest living painter of flowers in water-colours-he repre- sents the object with so much truth and beauty, and his art never interferes between the eye and nature. It is a magnificent flower ; and its rich crimson leaves, ample form, and peculiar character, render it a fine sub- ject for a picture. A. Casson's Water-colour Drawings of the Ladies Russell (475 and 478) and other female Portraits (471 and 604), are beautiful specimens of this artist's fashionable style and manner; which we cannot help admiring for the truth with which he represents the artificial grace of high life, and the skill with which he touches off the costume. In 604, however, his fidelity amounts almost to caricature.
D. W.Ctssa is emulating Cussons ; and displays considerable skill in 480," Portrait of Viscount Castlereagh," his chair and slippers, and others of Ladies and Children (584, 522, 936, and 938) : they are clever, and in a showy style, which is carried to excess in 523. WAHEMAN'S faithful portraits of Actors in Costume deserve notice for their truth. " Wallack as the Brigand" (556), "0. Smith as Mam- mon" (568), Miss Phillips, and Miss Bartolozzi (629 and 630), cannot fail to please on this score.
In Miniatures, those by F. CRUIKSHANK struck us as approaching the nearest to nature of any : there is a boldness, truth, and purpose in the style (which is also painter-like, and admirable for drawing), that render them superior to the finely coloured heads amongst which they are hung : for examples' we refer to 658, 680, 716, 841. W. C. Ross's female miniatures are also beautiful both in drawing and colour • 679, 824, 879, are exquisite pictures. Mrs. J. ROBERTSON'S we also admire; though she paints in a showy style, and her flesh tints are too red and opaque : vide 702, 673, 724, 833, and 896. We also noticed particularly W. J. NEWTON'S portrait of Sir W. Beechey (731), and other minia- tures, by A. ROBERTSON (724 and 831). A. CtisLois (825), M. HAUGH TON (887). ROCIIARD'S affectations we abominate.
In Enamels, we have George the Fourth from LAWRENCE, William the Fourth from MORTON, and Mr. Chantrey from JACKSON, by Mr. BONE; and" Venus disarming Cupid," from HILTON, and the Duchess of Northumberland, from LAWRENCE, by Essax,-all admirable.
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