FINE ARTS. 201 



by finding the itinerant asleep in his cart, on the road, of a lovely moon- 

 light night. The effect is magical, and the whole, in the artist's best 

 style. " 34 — Sleeping Children,'" by C. Landseer j correct drawing, 

 delicate execution, a gentle character of nature, and mellow colouring, 

 set a stamp of peculiar value on this pleasing cabinet ornament. "41 — 

 Returning from the haunts of the Sea-fowl,^' by W. Collins, R.A. One of 

 his most vigorous pictures. The fearless climbers aiFord a variety of 

 action and attitude, which adds to the interest excited by the novelty of 

 the subject. The colouring of the flesh tints is glowing, and the entire 

 painted with a strong rich effect. *' 92 — The Falconers" and "122 — 

 The Gentle Reader" (a lovely young lady lulled asleep in her chamber, 

 by the imaginary sorrows of a romance), are two pictures of high 

 excellence, by H. Wyatt. They combine truth, good taste, splendid 

 colouring, and a noble freedom of execution. The fame acquired at the 

 British Institution, by his superb " Chapeau Noir," is fully sustained by 

 these two capital productions. *' 159 — Francis the First and Francois de 

 Foix," by D. Mac Clise. The chivalrous gallantry of the amorous 

 monarch, the grace and beauty of the lady, and the congenial taste and 

 gaiety of the page and young female attendant, are finely contrasted by the 

 sleepy old Duenna, and the fiend-like scowl of jealousy on the distorted 

 features of the dwarf. This painting stands high in this class of art. It 

 is a triumphant specimen from the pencil of one of the most extraordinary 

 geniuses of the age. Here, I am concerned to remind the reader, I am 

 writing post, against time, and I must pass, without mention, many fine 

 works of fancy, to glance at a few of a different order. 



Among the distinguished portraits are "22 — The Children of J. Clifton 

 Jukes, Esq. j" 45 — Of Mrs. Throckmorton and Children ; and " 51 — Of 

 John, the fourth son of Sir Robert Peel, Bart.," all by J. Partridge j 

 the latter is exquisitely painted, but the shoulders appear rather 

 small for the size of the head ; ** 105 — Of Edwin Guest, Esq. Barrister 

 of the Midland Circuit," by E. Coleman j a capital head in all the best 

 qualities of a manly, vigorous portrait; "114 — Of Lieutenant- Colonel 

 Sir Robert Gill, K. C. B." by the same artist. The gallant officer is 

 mustachioed and " bearded like a pard," but is firmly drawn, handled 

 with spirit, and warmly coloured. " 108 — Sir Edward Thomason, 

 K.F.M., H.R. E., Sfc. 8fc." a clever head, is also by Coleman, but the 

 ostentatious display of his honorary distinctions, which would be well 

 enough at a public ceremonial, is not in the best taste on canvass ; and 

 by no means adds to the good effect of the picture. 



** 18 — A Young Lady " by J. Hollins, and " 115 — The Young Amateur," 

 by the same painter, shew, at first glance, something like the good time 

 of the Bolognian school. In these two fine pictures, the simple graces 

 of the disposition and delicate sensibility of the characters and expression, 

 evince a very refined taste and feeling. There is not a tinge of the ruddy 

 or golden, glow in the flesh, nor of the rose on the fair cheeks ; but the 

 delicious breadth of demi-tints, the purity of the carnations and chastity 

 of the tone, confer a vestal loveliness on these fascinating productions. 

 This attraction is heightened by the richness, force, and beauty of the 

 chiaro-scuro. To combine a correct and pleasing veri-similitude of 

 individual nature with elegance of fancy and the charm of ideal colouring, 

 is one of the highest qualities of a portrait painter. This was the magic 

 of Reynolds ; and this, with more correct drawing, is a prevailing ex- 

 cellence in these performances by Hollins. Independent of their present 

 value as portraits, they will be ever prized as chaste works of art, should 

 they escape the ravages of time for centuries. 



There are two very striking portraits of public characters by Sir 



