Fine Arts, 407 



rank In his profession, and who was, for many 

 years. President of the Academy. From the rise 

 of this institution, which at once furnished a School 

 for instruction, a scene of Annual Exhibition, and 

 numerous excitements to emulation, we may date 

 the revival of a correct taste for the fine arts in 

 Great-Britain, 



In the last twenty years of the century, many spe- 

 cimens of painting were produced by British art- 

 ists, which give them high distinction in a com- 

 parative estimate of their talents with those of other 

 nations. Towards producing this effect much has 

 been ascribed to the eloquent and instructive dis- 

 courses of Sir Joshua Reynolds, who appears to 

 have taken unwearied and successful pains to form 

 the taste of his pupils on the principles of the great 

 masters of the Italian and Flemish schools. His 

 exertions to promote a just taste in this art have 

 been very honourably seconded by those of West,-^ 

 FusELi, and others who hold a distinguished place 

 in the British school of arts. 



The Historical Painters of the eighteenth cen- 

 tury were num.erous, and some of them highly 

 respectable. Among these Cignani, Giordano, 

 Maratti, and Jauvenet, before mentioned, held, 

 early m the century, an honourable rank. At 

 later periods, the Italian school has been adorned 

 by Battoni, Mengs, Martini, Dietrich, and se- 

 veral others. In Great-Britain the works of West, 



y Mr. Benjamin West (now Sir Benjamin) is a native of Pcnnsyl- 

 tania. About the year 1763 he went to Italy, under the patronage of Wil- 

 LfAM Allen, Esq, Chief Justice of the then province, whose son accom- 

 panied him. After studying the monuments of ancient and modern genius 

 in Italy, he went to Great-Britain, where he has since resided, and where the 

 productions of his pencil have been rewarded with distinguished honours and 

 emolument. The works of this artist are too numerous to be mentioned. 

 His suite of sacred paintings for the Royal Chapel at Windsor have been 

 much celebrated. Besides these, his Death of IVolfe, his Battle of La Hague, 

 his Battle of the Boync, and his Floody are considered as deserving particular 

 distinction.^ He is said, by some good judges, to be, on the whole, the 

 greatest painter in his department now living. 



