688 ROYAL ACADEMY. 



Rotterdam Ferry Boat. Bridge of Sighs, Ducal Palace, 8fc. Venice. 

 Van Tromp returning, after the Battle of the Dogger-bank. Mouth of 

 the Seine. J. M. W. TURNER, R.A. These pictures are dazzlingly clear 

 and broad in their half-tint and light, but as they are all cabinet pictures, we 

 must object to the laying on of the colour, which is done with no more 

 feeling than a plaisterer might be supposed to possess in daubing a wall. 

 Such painting may produce a temporary surprise in a crowded exhibition, 

 but it is not calculated to effect a permanent delight, or to afford a recurrence 

 of the same gratification. In the Bridge of Sighs, fyc. a delicious mingling 

 of rich colours into an harmonious whole, reminds one of this extraordinary 

 painter's water-colour drawings, which are undoubtedly more nearly allied 

 to perfection than his oil paintings. 



Hylas and the Nymphs. W. ETTY, R.A. Hercules has landed with his 

 beautiful boy on the Asiatic coast : the nymphs of a fountain, enamoured of 

 the graceful son of King Thiodamus, are about to plunge with him beneath 

 the surface of the water, to the dismay of the hero of the lion-skin and club, 

 who appears vapouring in the back-ground, like Polyphemus at the opera. 

 The twilight sky, in which the stars are taking their places the subdued 

 tone of the trees and figures, partake of a poetical character. The passionate 

 action of the females, and half frightened expression of the handsome Hylas, 

 accord well with the nature of the subject. It requires certain classic asso- 

 ciations to be able to appreciate this picture, and to divest it of any thing 

 objectionable, which modern taste might cavil with. The Lute Player, by 

 the same artist, is rich in varied colours, but there appears a heaviness in 

 the flesh-tint which is far from satisfactory. 



Greek Fugitives; an English Ship sending its Boats to rescue them. 

 C. L. KASTLAKE, R.A. A very high degree of admiration has been generally 

 excited by this elaborate work of art and, no doubt, justly so. It does the 

 painter's mind great credit. An elegant fancy, hovering between nature and 

 the antique, has diffused a sweetness and virtue of character over the group 

 which it seems a shame to disturb by criticism ; nevertheless, perfect as it 

 appears, we should prefer a little of the rough accidents of life to the smooth 

 and marble-like quality of this picture. The art by which every figure is 

 adjusted, and the sentiment conveyed to the spectator, is not hidden by that 

 sort of genius which dashes down discretion, and takes the fancy by storm. 

 The drawing of the hands and feet is particularly correct and careful, though 

 the outline might be enriched, and more varied in its relief. No accessory 

 has been neglected the finish almost amounts to the appearance of enamel. 

 Over a group so uniform in its beauty of countenance, of so tender and sweet 

 a character of expression, the violent Turk might be well compared to " an 

 eagle in a dove-cote." 



The Murder of Rizzio. W. ALLAN, A. A want of earnestness in the ex- 

 pression renders the whole scene rather like one acted than intensely real. 

 It is, however, animated in action, and effective as regards light and colour. 

 Rizzio's figure is not so well drawn as the others. Mary is too much 

 like a pretty actress, who possesses but a small degree of power over her 

 features. 



Abelard. G. S. NEWTON. A highly intellectual, and at the same time an 

 amiable character is given to the unfortunate lover of the no less unhappy 

 Eloisa. He is reading a letter : the taste of the painter has subdued the 

 whole colour to a contemplative half-tint. 



Tristram Shandy recovering the Manuscript he had lost (C. R. LESLIE, R.A.) 

 is painted with an uncommon degree of power. The character of the lady 

 is admirable : the unconcerned expression of the mistress contrasts excel- 

 lently with Tristram's agitation. We wish she had been prettier. 



W. COLLINS, R.A., exhibits three beautifully finished subjects, that in 

 their feeling and simple truth are not inferior to GAINSBOROUGH, viz : 



