WATER-COLOURS BY CARL WERNER.
A aeries of eighty water-colours by this German artist, chiefly from Venice, and almost wholly from Italy, with a few from Dalnaatia and elsewhere, were visited on Saturday last in the way of private view, at Rio. 49 Pall. Mall, by a thronging company, which seemed to be amply sprinkled with those most acceptable of visitors—patrons past or pro- spective. Herr Werner is a very remarkable painter : indeed, the strictly painting power, in the sense of consistent finish and striking laying on of nolour, can 'hardly be carried further. The style is something between those of Carl Haag and Lewis Haghe, having more of the former in tone, and of the latter in choice of subject and the picturesque costume-peopling .of the scenes. When we come to demand the higher quality of breath- ing organic life, we do not receive the same satisfaction. Herr Werner is the acme of property-dealers and scene-painters in miniature; he is a conscientious, praiseworthy, even admirable painter ; but we look and look for something beyond likeness to the thing represented or fee-simile of an effect, and do not find that something—which consists in its hvug essence and power over the feelings. Herr Werties 'sunsets burn bril- liantly, but they will not warm you. Yet the Campanile di San Marco and the View from the Roof of San Marco,. for instance, picturesquely chosen and excellently well done, possess merit most unusual in degree. Among others of the best, are the artist's own study in Venice, the Gal- Ionia of the Doge's Palace, the Monument of the Scaligeri at Verona, the Poll of Spalatro, and the Canale di Canareggio; the two latter, though not carried quite so far as some, having more of freedom and enjoyment. The annual festival of the artists at Rome, and the Roman Carnival, show that Herr Werner has no feeling for the humorous, or for the multiform life which has something more spontaneous to do than dress picturesquely and compose well. Our last word of so talented an artist and foreigner must not, however, be in any sort of disparagement: we unreservedly acknowledge his uncommon merit, and hail him heartily.
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