66 SIJi EDWIN LANDSEER, R.A. 



" Their human countenance, 

 Th* express image of the gods, is changed 

 Into some brutish form of wolf, or bear, 

 Of ounce, or tiger, hog, or bearded goat. 

 All other parts remaining as they were." 



A young lady, having heedlessly wandered into the domains of the sorcerer, falls 

 into his hands, but cannot be induced by him to drink of the baneful cup. While 

 Comus is using all his blandishments and threats to entice her to taste, her two 

 brothers, who have long been searching for their sister, rush in with drawn swords, 

 wrest the glass out of his hand, and break it against the ground. His nondescript 

 band at first make a show of resistance, but are all put to the rout. 



The remarks made with reference to Landseer's "Titania" — to which picture, by 

 the way, his " Comus " would form an excellent pendant— apply equally to the latter. 

 There must always be in the nondescript and unnatural combination of the human and 

 the brute forms, a presentation to the mind of what is both disagreeable to the eye and 

 repugnant to the feelings. Some individuals can, more easily than others, rid them- 

 selves of this disturbing influence ; such will examine without any great measure of 

 mental disquietude this masterly composition ; while even those to whom this 

 burlesque scene is far from pleasant in itself, cannot fail to admire the artistic merits of 

 the work. Comus occupies the centre of the picture ; he is in full retreat with the 

 others, his countenance indicating extreme disquietude at the loss of his supernatural 

 powers ; for his rod of enchantment, which he still carries in his hand, has become, as 

 it were, a broken reed. A female figure of beautiful form, as her thin covering of 

 spangled drapery shows, clings to him as if she would retard his flight. Round the 

 pair is a motley group, hurrying as rapidly as they are able in the me/ee from the 

 apparent destruction awaiting them. Some of the party have already been struck 

 down, on the right of the composition, where one of the brothers is seen making a 

 vigorous onslaught. The scene lies in an apartment of a stately palace, " set out with 

 all manner of deliciousness and tables spread with all dainties." The room is now all 

 in confusion ; the golden goblets and the luscious fruits are scattered on the flooring. 

 In the background, between two massive pillars wreathed with chaplets, is seen the 

 attendant spirit, who has guided the brothers to the enchanter's place of abode, 

 and taught them by what means they may overcome him and rescue their sister. 



A noticeable feature in the treatment of the subject is the aptitude with which the 

 heads are fitted to the bodies of the personages ; those of delicately-formed animals 

 being placed on the female and other slight figures ; and stout, burly bodies wear the 

 heads of large and ferocious beasts. 



In 1 87 1 Landseer did not exhibit ; but in the following year he contributed three 

 pictures, each of which showed that though the painter was approaching towards his 



