1821.] 



Register of the Fine Arts. 



tique gal lies, the Grecian costume and 

 armour, the trees and distant sea and 

 sky, are introduced witii skill, and taste. 

 If the little Ionic temple on the right 

 of the picture, had heen somewhat 

 darker, it would have added to the ge- 

 neral effect of the picture, and have 

 prevented a sort of scattered appear- 

 ance in that portion of the composition. 

 Mr. Linton may now fairly lay claim 

 to the title of the most classical and 

 hest read of the few historical landscape 

 painters we at present possess. With 

 the exception of him and Mr. Turner, 

 the rest are, as Mr. Fuseli appropriately 

 calls them, " mere topographers of 

 art." 



36. ^ Dutch Fair, held annuaUif on 

 Yarmouth Beach, in September. G.Vin- 

 cent. A truth and identity of cha- 

 racter marks this picture, and is a 

 proof that Mr. Vincent is proceeding to 

 a high rank in his profession, by a 

 careful study of his art and- nature. 

 The Nelson column is a fine feature in 

 the picture, and the Dutch vessels, 

 people, and commodities,;Contrast re- 

 markably well with the English visitors. 

 The Dutch style of the scene and coast 

 adds to the character of the picture, 

 while the composition and colour of the 

 clouds and waves, shew the artists at- 

 tention to the phenomena of nature in 

 the fleeting and changeful colours of 

 the sky and sea. We consider it one 

 of the best pictures which this young 

 and improving artist has produced. 



40. Heath Scene near Norwich, John 

 Crome. a cantlet of Nature, replete 

 with fidelity and good sense. 



41. f^enus, supported by Iris, com- 

 plaining to Mars, after having been 

 wounded by Diomed. Iliad b. v., 1. 139, 

 George Hayter. The spirit and 

 energy which determined this excellent 

 miniature painter to enlarge the sphere 

 of his art, and attempt history, de- 

 serves praise and encouragement. But 

 he seemsout of his element, foraspecies 

 of affectation predominates over the 

 whole picture: which is, however, a 

 composition of considerable elegance, 

 too much resembling the false glitter 

 of the school of David. A relish for 

 the beauties of his own country, the 

 historical heads of his own country- 

 men, and a more naturally-coloured 

 ]>alette, would s(»on make Mr. Hayter a 

 formidable rival to the historical pain- 

 ters of the Royal Academy. 



72. Rehhazznr''s Feast, J. MARTIN. 

 An extraordinary picture of a very 



175 



novel character and class, and to which 

 the directors have with a praise-worthy 

 attention to rising merit, rewarded 

 with a honorary premium of two hun- 

 dred guineas. The picture is a bold 

 attempt at composilicm, uniting archi- 

 tecture, sculpture, funiihire, feasting, 

 drapery, revelry, thunder and light- 

 ning. The conception is grand, but 

 extravagant, the air and costume 

 theatrical, and the colouring not of the 

 best or most harmonious. Theijictnre 

 is in bad taste, but the best perhaps of 

 its style that was ever painted. Re- 

 spectable mediocrity will pass muster, 

 and escape severity of criticism, because 

 there is nothing strikingly excellent to 

 shew out by contrast the defects. Mr. 

 Martin has no such mediocrity; his 

 beauties are so apparent, that they ren- 

 der his defects more palpable. His 

 beauties are, deep study, a complete 

 knowledge of architecture, linear per- 

 spective, and drawing (except thefigure) 

 a striking effect of light and shade, and 

 an evident possession of thatqualily call- 

 ed genius ; and hisdefects, a bad taste, a 

 want of knowledge in drawing the hu- 

 man figure, and a passion for a theatri- 

 cal and bombastical style. His pictures 

 may be compared with Wren's steeples; 

 and this his best picture, with Wren's 

 best work, the spire of Bow Church ; 

 both monsters in art, but both resplen- 

 dent in beauties of the highest order; 

 so high indeed that they almost conceal 

 and redeem their faults in taste. Mr. 

 Martin ranks in historical landscape 

 as Fuseli does in history, and may not 

 inaptly be termed the Fuseli of land- 

 scape painters. 



7.5. A Native of Calcutta, Mrs. W. 

 Carpenter. An excellent portrait, 

 rich in colour and excellent in drawing. 

 [To be continued.] 



Royal Academy. Mr. Flaxman 

 is giving a course of lectures on sculp- 

 ture, and Mr. Turner on perspective, 

 which shall receive due notice when 

 completed. On Saturday the 10th of 

 Feb. at a general meeting of the Royal 

 Academicians at Somerset House, Mr. 

 Edward Hodges Bailey, sculptor, an 

 associate of the academy, was elected a 

 Royal Academician, in the room of 

 Benjamin West. esq. the late Presi- 

 d(!nt. 



In the School of Paintinij two silver 

 medals will be given for the best two 

 co])ies painted in the school, and with 

 till* first medal the lectures of Barry, 

 Opie, and the present Professor Fuseli. 



Mr. 



