NEW PRINTS.
" The Proffered Kiss" is the title given to a portrait picture of two children, commenced by Sir Turmas LAWRENCE, and completed by his pupil, H. WYATT. A half-clad urchin has caught an infant sister in his arms, and is struggling for a kiss, which she with childish coquetry resists. It is one of the most lovely pictures of infancy that LAW- 1ENC2 or any other painter has produced. Great praise is due to Mr. WYATT for the admirable manner in which he has completed the work : he has caught the style and feeling of his master, and not merely imi- tated the manner. The expression of the children is beautifully na- tural and simple ; there is none of that artificial character which we remarked as a defect in LAWRENCE'S sketches. Perhaps some of this merit belongs to Mr. WYATT : be that as it may, the picture of childhood is perfect. How charming is the mild, soft ardour and gentle eagerness of the boy, and the careless resistance of the girl ! The bright black eyes appear to have beeen caught by some object,-or is it only a capricious impatience of restraint that makes her so rudely reject " the proffered kiss ?" The engraving is a finished specimen of the line manner, by GEORGE Doo ; and, in the exquisite imitation of the flesh and the living expression of the faces, it may vie with his famous print of "bfancy." The limbs appear round, and of the soft, elastic firmness that belongs to the flesh of childhood; and the drapery is indicated with a free- dom that aids greatly the pictorial effect. In short, it is the perfection of the art.
A portrait of the late George Colman the Younger, engraved in mezzotint by LUPTON, from an admirable picture by JACKSON, appears in good time to take advantage of the interest which his death has re- vived in the public mind for the facetious author of Broad Grins. The likeness is identical with COLMAN'S appearance in his prime : there is vigour in the brow, sagacity in the eye, and a lurking perception of humour in the mouth ; while the lower part of the face indicates a taste for festive enjoyment. It is one of those truthful and life-like tran- scripts of character for which JACKSON was fumed. The engraving is clear and forcible in execution ; the face especially is rendered with artist-like delicacy and spirit.
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