FINE ARTS.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY.
THE pictures bequeathed to the nation by the late Reverend HOLWELL CARR have been hung up in the Gallery in Pall Mall. They are crowded together ; but, with the exception of one or two being hung too high, all are visible. Most of them are of a cabinet size; and the removal of one or two large pictures and the change of, position of others have made room for them. The walls of the two rooms on the first floor, which are lighted from the roof, are literally covered with chefs d'ceuvres of the ancient masters—incrusted with gems of art. This gallery is now a Louvre in miniature, as regards its contents ; and if the munifi- cent example of Mr. HOLWELL CARR be followed, the English nation may have to boast of a collection of pictures unrivalled for beauty and excellence—as choice as it is rare. Most of our readers are familiar with the Angerstein collection, and the additions made thereto since the esta- blishment of our National Gallery : we shall content ourselves, there-. fore, with merely indicating the treat that they have yet to enjoy in feasting their eyes upon the new dainties spread before them- . a feast of nectar'd sweets,
Where no crude surfeit reigns."
33, "Christ Disputing with the Doctors," by LEONARDO DA VINCI, is the perfection of art. The almost effeminate beauty of the countenance of the Saviour, the dove-eyed meekness of the eyes, and the sweetness of the expression, conveyed with the refinement of Ilomano's elaborate pencil, and in addition the exquisite finish of the painting, render this picture unique. " The Woman Bathing" (58), by REMBRANDT, shows the power of genius in representing literally the reality of nature with a force and truth that render the mere imitation valuable. 68, " A Land- scape, with Tobit and the Angel," is a piece of nature transferred to canvas ; a bit of broken ground with a pond, and a few trees with the sun-light appearing through them, make together a picture the charm of which is wonderful. All REMBRANDT'S works are extraordinary. 97, "A Landscape, Dido and Eneas in the Storm," is a grand pic- ture, and a fine work of art, worthy to be a pendant to his " Land Storm," in this collection. 85 and 87, by the same, are a pair of sweet woody landscapes, pastoral scenes, full of repose and beauty. 89, " A Landscape, with figures, representing Simon brought prisoner to Priam," by CLAUDE, is worthy of its companionship with the beauti- ful specimens of this master in the same room. The " Silenus" of ANNIBALE CARACCI corresponds with his inimitable little picture of " Pan and Apollo," both of which are from the same collection in the Lancillotti Palace: it is hung too high to be duly appreciated. 106, " St. Bavon," is one of the finest cabinet pictures of RUBENS: the com. position is varied and masterly, the colouring rich, the drawing good, and the expression fine, as far as we could judge from the distance at which it is seen. It is a work of rare excellence, ands very choice specimen of the master.
We must be content with enumerating " A Holy Family," by Trrisw,
(30); " The Murder Rif St. Peter," by Gionnionn, 29; "St. George $and the Dragon," by TINTORETTO (26); " The Rape of Europa," by P. VERONESE (73); and " St. John Preaching," by F. MOLA ; all of which are fine specimens of the respective painters. The merits of those celebrated pictures, the" Portrait of a Lady," by DRONE'S° (96)—the "Dead Christ with Angels," by GUERCINO (65)—and the " Holy Family,' by ANDREA DEL SAnTO (74)—are too well known to need being insisted on. 37, " The Portraits of Cardinal Hippolito de Medici and of the Artist," by SEBASTIAN nes Proust), are two fine Titian-like heads. 61 and 71 are a pair of fine landscapes by ANNIBALE Cartaccr ; and there are seve- ral good pictures by Dontsucinno —among which, we noticed particularly two landscapes, 40 and 94, the last extremely beautiful ; and 93, " St. Jerome." The " St. Jerome" (99) we are disposed to doubt being the work of Gismo; it is a fine picture nevertheless. "Michael Angelo's Dream" (48) is an extraordinary picture and beautifully painted : those who know MICHAEL. ANGELO as a sculptor, an architect, and as a painter of cartoons, will be surprised to see the exquisite finish of the figure— the beauty of the drawing they will be prepared to admire. Beside it are two beautiful and curious specimens of the early Italian school of painting,-46, by EILCOLE DI FERRARA, and 47, by GAROFALO. There is also a beautiful little picture of " Charity," by JULIO ROMANO (88) ; and a fine painting by L. CAnaccr, from the " Ecce Homo" of Coneerno (105). We have, we believe, noticed all of the thirty-three pictures forming the choice collection of Mr. HoswEss CARR ; of which thirty are fine specimens of the Italian school, and three the finest of the Flemish. They are of great beauty and value, and constitute a legacy to the na- tion worthy of a sovereign to bestow. We point with pride to the mu- nificent example thus held out to the liberal-minded collector, and say- " Go thou and do likewise !"
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