Art of Painting in France. 253 



painted several portraits of his friends in a sitting or two. 

 I ought to mention here the celebrated Ducis ; no pencil ever 

 produced more in less time. 



Gerard has also done some portraits of his friends, de- 

 signed at one sitting, which may serve as a model for those 

 who wish to design in this manner. I may quote those of 

 madame Redoute and her daughter, of mademoiselle Coli- 

 quert, and my own, of which 1 am not a little vain. 



Ingre ought to go to Home ; but he has not yet set out, aa 

 the author says. We expect great things from him. The 

 design of St7-alonice, which be is doing for me, is well com- 

 posed and well designed, and we may hope to see a fine pic- 

 ture of it. He has finished several portraits, among which 

 we distinguish that of mademoiselle Riviere, 14 years of age. 



M. Fiorillo thinks that Gros has talents; but he forgets 

 to assign to this artist the distinguished place which his 

 country has given him among the pupils of David, and 

 which he so justly merits. He thinks it astonishing that 

 such a terrible subject as the Plague of Egypt, of this painter, 

 should have excited so much enthusiasm. I am very happy, 

 on the contrary, that jiiistice has been done to a fine picture, 

 well designed, well painted, and finely coloured. Gros is 

 one of the first colourists of the modern school. Our author 

 does not recollect, therefore, that such subjects have been 

 represented by the first lalents. He does not know Mignard's 

 Plague, Poussin's Massacre of the Innocents, his Deluge, 

 and many others. 



The name of mademoiselle Gerard is mixed, without 

 mercy, in a crowd of others who are scarcely known. Her 

 name merits some distinction. Her pictures are agreeably 

 composed; the subjects are v/cll chosen, executed with s 

 careful pencil, and finely coloured. A great deal has been 

 engraved after her. 



The author is not well pleased witli the miniatures of Au- 

 gustin ; he has, perhaps, never seen them ; at least, he is 

 surely not acquainted with the portrait of Chaiiikt. He 

 speaks of Taunuy as of a historical painter. It is true thot 

 he has done some historical pieces ; but his name has bceii 

 confoundird with others. Taunay has a peculiar 6tyh^ of 



painting 



