FINE ARTS. ?65 



torical tone ; and the whole invention and execution are highly creditable 

 to the powers of the artist. 



*'322 — A design from the Revelations, c. xii. v. 7," by' S. W. Arnold. 

 — And there was war in heaven ! Michael and his angels fought 

 against the Dragon." — This is an upright study in chiaro-scuro ; and, 

 from the great number of groups, the variety of action, attitude, and 

 expression, the difficult foreshortenings, anatomical science and copious 

 invention, a description of it would require every page of ** The Analyst." 

 Any limited attempt would be a great injustice to the artist. I am, 

 therefore, very unwillingly, forced to content myself with calling atten- 

 tion to it as a most extraordinary production of an extraordinary genius : 

 a mine of wealth, which may be visited every day for a month, and, 

 still, afford fresh gratification. When I turn my eyes, from the grandeur 

 of this composition, to *' 529," this artist's splendid model, the Murder 

 of the Innocents, and consider the deep science and great style of both, 

 I cannot help expressing an earnest wish that a genius, so compre- 

 hensive, may be speedily employed on some public work, to his own 

 honour and emolument, and the glory of his country. The young mind, 

 which could venture on such arduous undertakings, and display such 

 powers in their execution, is a national treasure, and ought to be turned 

 to account by the State without delay. His small model, "515 — The 

 Iron Age," strongly reminds me of the antique statue of the Gladiator. 

 It is the very spirit of terrific violence personified, yet is there the 

 collected method of a master in that destructive movement. There is 

 much elegance and grace in *' 500," his model of " The Golden Age,'* 

 but, apparently, not as scrupulous an attention to the forms, 



R. Westall, R.A., in "400," has represented Cupid reposing in an 

 embowered recess, in the mystic groves of Cyprus. The god of love 

 slumbers on a splendid couch, with cushions of purple silk and a shadowy 

 curtain of the same colour drawn up on the branches above. His head rests 

 on his elbow, or rather on the raised hand, and the other is negligently 

 stretched across before him. The position is not without a difficulty. 

 The face and upper part of the person being in a front view ; the lower limbs 

 in profile. The brilliant effect of the rich and glowing flesh is heightened 

 by the cold, clear purple and azure of his wings. The picture is much 

 admired, and its surprising lustre attracts every eye ; but, perhaps, some 

 pearly half-tints would have sweetened the tone of the carnations without 

 lessening their brilliancy. The sunbeams dart down, with a dazzling 

 effulgence, on the golden autumnal foliage of the recess, in which he 

 reclines ; and this blaze of light is kept up by contrast with an impervious 

 wood, which extends immediately beyond it, in a midnight depth of 

 jshadow. The combinations of colour are so surpassingly gorgeous that 

 few pictures unless by colourists of Rubenesque power, would have any 

 chance near it. We must suppose the amorous Deity is engaged, in 

 his dreams, on some sly mission, for one of his wings is gently raised, as 

 if about to take flight, and increase the number of his victims. 



** 360 — Glad Tidings," by C Landseer. A small three-quarter length 

 of a young lady, seated with an open letter in her hand, which she is 

 reading. Whether the chosen of her heart has escaped the carnage of 

 battle ; or, just landed in merry England, after a long a!)sence ; or, has 

 written for leave to solicit her parents to name the day for their union ; we 

 are left to guess. But the flush of joy on her countenance and the bloom 

 of seventeen, are heightened by the glowing reflections from her rose- 

 coloured dress. These reflections are painted with an exquisite tender- 

 ness and truth, which far surpass any finishing of the most admired of 

 the Dutch and Flemish masters in their characters from genteel life. 



